LIVE INTERACTIVE YOUR DESKTOP. Solar Energy in Middle and High School Classrooms Presented by: Michael Tinnesand and Rachel Pokrandt

Transcription

1 LIVE INTERACTIVE YOUR DESKTOP Solar Energy in Middle and High School Classrooms Presented by: Michael Tinnesand and Rachel Pokrandt September 13, 2011

2 Where does U.S. energy come from today? Source:

3 Where does U.S.energy come from today? Source:

4 The Potential of Solar Energy

5 How can we capture the Sun s energy? Passive Credit: U. S. Department of Energy-Solar Decathlon

6 How can we capture the Sun s energy? Solar Concentrators 20 mw concentrator near Seville

7 How can we capture the Sun s energy? Photovoltaic panels Credit: U. S. Department of Energy-Solar Decathlon

8 How can we capture the Sun s Solar Water heating energy?

9 How do we measure electricity usage? Watts - A watt is a unit of power. It is a Newton meter per second, or can be given as a joule per second. Kilowatts 1,000 watts equals one kilowatt (kw) Kilowatt-hours (kwh) A device such as a plasma TV, which uses 1,000 watts for one hour consumes one kwh of power.

10 How do Solar Panels work?

11 How do Solar Panels work? Credit: rsc.org p-type n-type

12 How do Solar Panels work?

13 How do Solar Panels work?

14 How are Solar Panels made? Credit: Solar World

15 How are Solar Panels made? Credit: Solar World

16 Challenges for 1 st Generation Solar Panels They don t work at night and work poorly in cloudy weather. Production uses toxic materials including greenhouse gases and must be treated to prevent release Takes energy to produce solar panels (1-3 year energy payback ) Expensive End-of-use recycling needs to be developed Research in new solar panel technologies needs to continue, improving efficiency, cost, usability.

17 2 nd Generation Solar Cheaper More flexible more uses Lighter Not as efficient

18 Examples of 3 rd generation solar panels

19 TiO2 Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells How do they work? What do they look like? 1. A dye, adsorbed on TiO 2 is excited by light 2. The excited dye injects an e- into the TiO 2 3. The electron leaves the TiO 2 and is carried through as current 1 hv S 2 * + - [ TO i 2n ] [ TO i 2n ] 3 e - S 5. Electrolyte with I - /I 2 4. Catalytic layer to promote I - to I 2 regeneration 1. Sensitizer Dye 4. The e - returns to the device and reduces the electrolyte /2 I I - 5. The dye is reduced by the electrolyte 5 S S + 2. TiO 2 Semiconductor 3. ITO electrode Insulating Seal

20 Bioinspiration

21 Blackberry Solar Cell Lesson Plan Standards and skills NS SCIENCE AS INQUIRY NS PHYSICAL SCIENCE NS EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE NS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY NS PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVES Lesson activities Learn how traditional solar panels are made Consider this process against the 12 principles of green chemistry Construct a dye sensitized solar cell Evaluate and compare the differences in solar cell technologies

22 Making the cell with your students!

23 TiO2 Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

24 On the grid Using Solar Power

25 Off the grid Using Solar Power

26 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

27 The Solar Decathlon Events

28 Team Germany

29 Team California

30 Appalachian State University

31 Phase Change Wallboard Photo: National Gypsum

32 Measuring heat of phase change. Measuring temperature vs phase change

33 Measuring heat of phase change. Measuring temperature vs phase change

34 Measuring heat of phase change. Heat of fusion lab

35 Measuring heat of phase change. Heat of fusion lab Specific heat capacity of paraffin 2 J/g x C H f of paraffin 200 J/g

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39 Resources U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon - ChemMatters Beyond Benign-Blackberry Solar Cell Activity - ml Solar World - National Renewable Energy Lab -

40 Thank you to the sponsor of tonight's Web Seminar: This web seminar contains information about programs, products, and services offered by third parties, as well as links to third-party websites. The presence of a listing or such information does not constitute an endorsement by NSTA of a particular company or organization, or its programs, products, or services.

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42 National Science Teachers Association Dr. Francis Q. Eberle, Executive Director Zipporah Miller, Associate Executive Director Conferences and Programs Al Byers, Assistant Executive Director e-learning NSTA Web Seminars Paul Tingler, Director Jeff Layman, Technical Coordinator LIVE INTERACTIVE YOUR DESKTOP