07-1200 Solar Energy Module

Fossil fuels and nuclear power are at the center of today’s most divisive political and environmental issues. What are the alternatives to these polluting, nonrenewable fuel sources?

Renewable energy is defined as "energy derived from resources that are regenerative or for all practical purposes can not be depleted." Renewable energy sources contribute approximately 29.3% of human energy use worldwide. The prime source of renewable energy is solar radiation, i.e. Sunlight.

Mankind's traditional uses of solar power are widespread in developed and developing countries. However, the mass production of electricity using renewable energy sources has become more common place only recently. This reflects the major threats of climate change due to pollution, exhaustion of fossil fuels, and the environmental, social and political risks of fossil fuels and nuclear power. Many countries and organizations promote renewable energies through taxes and subsidies.

The 07-1200 Solar Energy Module program demonstrates how solar cells are beginning to transform the way the world is powered.

In the Solar Energy module, students learn about today’s two major forms of alternative energy and how technology is used to convert and transmit this energy. They explore solar and wind as an energy source that can be used to help reduce dependence on exhaustible, non-renewable fuel sources. Students will gain a global perspective when they understand the economics, efficiency, and low environmental impact of producing energy from nonpolluting, renewable sources.

The Alternate Energy module includes everything required to function as a “turn-key” learning station; lesson plan, student guide, DVD video, training station with fault insertion and energy producing equipment. The module provides student instruction, in teams of two, for up to 20 hours.

The Lesson Plan includes an Instructor’s Guide which provides instructions for installing, setting up, and implementing the module. It also includes learning outcomes, testing and evaluation procedures, answer keys, student skills response, inventory list and print CD. The Student Activity manual guides students through 10 multi-disciplinary activities using the tools, and equipment included with the module package. It also contains optional enrichment and career exploration activities, daily activity response sheets and activity notes.

Computer Monitoring

The Renewable Energy Systems from Progressive Educational Systems are monitored through an interface component on each station called the Green-Ed™ Monitor. The monitoring is connected through a computer network/school network to an on-line monitoring site which is assigned to the particular station. The monitoring enables individuals, classrooms of students or home study to participate in the curriculum. The monitoring not only provides the voltage, current and wattage of the Solar, Wind, Batteries and Inverter but also calculates savings based on the regional KWh costs. Co2 emissions savings is also calculated. All data can be seen over a period of an hour, day, week or year as a trend graph. Data can then be exported to different file types.

Upon the completion of the Solar Energy Student Activity Manual, students should be able to:

Describe the various alternate energy solutions.
Understand the hazards associated with the solar energy module.
Explain the pros and cons of solar energy.
Describe the basic history of solar alternate energy.
Test solar cells to determine their voltage and current outputs.
Explain how a photovoltaic cell works.
Use digital volt and ammeters to monitor system activities.
Explain the difference between batteries connected in series, parallel and series-parallel.
Explain the effects on voltage and current output when the system is loaded.
Understand the procedures necessary to properly site a solar array.
Draw a graph showing a solar cell's power curves.
Discuss the effects of circuit loading on solar cells.
Explain the purpose of a voltage regulator.
Apply math to calculate Power in watts produced by the wind turbine and photovoltaic cells.
Use a computer interfaced system to monitor the input voltage and current.
Explain how the energy produced is converted into energy we use.
Use basic 5 step troubleshooting techniques to solve system faults.
Describe some of the employment opportunities involving alternate energy.
Identify various methods of storage devices.
Explain how a deep cycle battery operates.
Use the internet to explore the various types of renewable energies.
Solve a problem based on information accumulated to date.

Mounting

Note: The Renewable Energy training systems are usually permanently installed. It is recommended that a licensed Renewable Energy Technician install this system.

There are many methods of mounting the wind turbine used in the Progressive Educational Systems solar training systems. These include outside on ground, roof and pole with or without tracking. Inside mounting is also available. For further information on mounting options please contact your Progressive representative.

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