1. Fun Facts About Solar
It takes about 8 minutes for energy from the sun to reach Earth
Solar energy is the most abundant energy resource on earth – 173,000 terawatts of solar energy strikes the Earth continuously. That's more than 10,000 times the world's total energy use.
Total U.S. installations may reach 3,300 megawatts this year – putting the country on track to be the fourth largest solar market in the world.

2. Solar Power

3. The Big Picture Unit 3: Solar Power 1.1 History & Uses 1.2 Passive
1.3 Active
Power Transmission & Impacts

4. Essential Questions (pt 1)
What is solar power?
What is the electromagnetic spectrum and how is it related to temperature?

5. Essential Questions (pt 2)
What is active solar energy and how can it be used?
What is passive solar energy and how can it be used?
How do solar cells work?

6. Essential Questions (pt 3)
How is electricity generated from solar energy transformed for use in the home?
What are the socio- environmental impacts of using solar energy?

7. How much energy is emitted by our Sun?
The sun produces about 3.8 x 1023 kW of energy
Only one one-billionth of that reaches Earth
34% of what reaches Earth is reflected by clouds
…so how much Solar Energy reaches the Earth???
250 Trillion Kilowatts!!!
In 2008, 144 Trillion kWh were consumed on Earth.
More solar energy reaches the Earth in 1 HOUR than is consumed by us in 1 YEAR

8. How much energy is emitted by our Sun?
…so there’s a lot of energy emitted by our Sun. What of it?
Well, we can use it to generate power or heat our homes.
That’s what! Solar Power!!!

9. 7th Century BC 2nd Century BC 1882 2012 1883 History of Solar Power
Magnifying glass used to concentrate sun’s rays to make fire and to burn ants.
As early as 212 BC, the Greek scientist, Archimedes, used the reflective properties of bronze shields to focus sunlight and to set fire to wooden ships from the Roman Empire which were besieging Syracuse. (Although no proof of such a feat exists, the Greek navy recreated the experiment in 1973 and successfully set fire to a wooden boat at a distance of 50 meters.)
1882
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute was founded
1st hydroelectric powerplant on Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin
2012
20% of all electricity produced globally comes from hydropower
1883
History of Solar Power

10. History of Solar Power 7th Century BC 2nd Century BC
Magnifying glass used to concentrate sun’s rays to make fire and to burn ants.
As early as 212 BC, the Greek scientist, Archimedes, used the reflective properties of bronze shields to focus sunlight and to set fire to wooden ships from the Roman Empire which were besieging Syracuse. (Although no proof of such a feat exists, the Greek navy recreated the experiment in 1973 and successfully set fire to a wooden boat at a distance of 50 meters.)
1st – 4th Century AD
The famous Roman bathhouses in the first to fourth centuries A.D. had large south facing windows to let in the sun’s warmth.
1200 AD
Ancestors of Pueblo people called Anasazi in North America live in south-facing
cliff dwellings that capture the winter sun.

11. History of Solar Power 7th Century BC 2nd Century BC
Magnifying glass used to concentrate sun’s rays to make fire and to burn ants.
As early as 212 BC, the Greek scientist, Archimedes, used the reflective properties of bronze shields to focus sunlight and to set fire to wooden ships from the Roman Empire which were besieging Syracuse. (Although no proof of such a feat exists, the Greek navy recreated the experiment in 1973 and successfully set fire to a wooden boat at a distance of 50 meters.)
1st – 4th Century AD
The famous Roman bathhouses in the first to fourth centuries A.D. had large south facing windows to let in the sun’s warmth.
1200 AD
Ancestors of Pueblo people called Anasazi in North America live in south-facing
cliff dwellings that capture the winter sun.
1767
Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure was credited with building the world’s first solar collector.
1839
French scientist Edmond Becquerel discovers the photovoltaic effect while
experimenting with an electrolytic cell made up of two metal electrodes placed
in an electricity-conducting solution—electricity-generation increased when
exposed to light
1876
1876 William Grylls Adams and Richard Evans Day discover that selenium produces electricity when exposed to light. Although selenium solar cells failed to convert enough sunlight to power electrical equipment, they proved that a solid material could change light into electricity without heat or moving parts.

12. History of Solar Power 7th Century BC 2nd Century BC
Magnifying glass used to concentrate sun’s rays to make fire and to burn ants.
As early as 212 BC, the Greek scientist, Archimedes, used the reflective properties of bronze shields to focus sunlight and to set fire to wooden ships from the Roman Empire which were besieging Syracuse. (Although no proof of such a feat exists, the Greek navy recreated the experiment in 1973 and successfully set fire to a wooden boat at a distance of 50 meters.)
1st – 4th Century AD
The famous Roman bathhouses in the first to fourth centuries A.D. had large south facing windows to let in the sun’s warmth.
1200 AD
Ancestors of Pueblo people called Anasazi in North America live in south-facing
cliff dwellings that capture the winter sun.
1767
Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure was credited with building the world’s first solar collector.
1839
French scientist Edmond Becquerel discovers the photovoltaic effect while
experimenting with an electrolytic cell made up of two metal electrodes placed
in an electricity-conducting solution—electricity-generation increased when
exposed to light
1876
1876 William Grylls Adams and Richard Evans Day discover that selenium produces electricity when exposed to light. Although selenium solar cells failed to convert enough sunlight to power electrical equipment, they proved that a solid material could change light into electricity without heat or moving parts.
1883
Charles Fritts, an American inventor, described the first solar cells made from
selenium wafers.

13. History of Solar Power 7th Century BC 2nd Century BC
Magnifying glass used to concentrate sun’s rays to make fire and to burn ants.
As early as 212 BC, the Greek scientist, Archimedes, used the reflective properties of bronze shields to focus sunlight and to set fire to wooden ships from the Roman Empire which were besieging Syracuse. (Although no proof of such a feat exists, the Greek navy recreated the experiment in 1973 and successfully set fire to a wooden boat at a distance of 50 meters.)
1st – 4th Century AD
The famous Roman bathhouses in the first to fourth centuries A.D. had large south facing windows to let in the sun’s warmth.
1200 AD
Ancestors of Pueblo people called Anasazi in North America live in south-facing
cliff dwellings that capture the winter sun.
1767
Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure was credited with building the world’s first solar collector.
1839
French scientist Edmond Becquerel discovers the photovoltaic effect while
experimenting with an electrolytic cell made up of two metal electrodes placed
in an electricity-conducting solution—electricity-generation increased when
exposed to light
1876
1876 William Grylls Adams and Richard Evans Day discover that selenium produces electricity when exposed to light. Although selenium solar cells failed to convert enough sunlight to power electrical equipment, they proved that a solid material could change light into electricity without heat or moving parts.
1883
Charles Fritts, an American inventor, described the first solar cells made from
selenium wafers.
1891
Baltimore inventor Clarence Kemp patented the first commercial solar
water heater. For more information on the water heater, see the
California
Solar Center.
1954
Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson develop the silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell at Bell Labs—the first solar cell capable of converting enough of the sun’s energy into power to run everyday electrical equipment.
1960
Silicon Sensors, Inc., of Dodgeville, Wisconsin, is founded. It starts producing selenium and silicon photovoltaic cells.
1969
The Odeillo solar furnace in France was constructed, using an 8-story parabolic mirror.
1982
The U.S. Department of Energy, along with an industry consortium, begins
operating Solar One, a 10-megawatt central-receiver demonstration project.
1999
Cumulative worldwide installed photovoltaic capacity reaches 1000 megawatts.
2001
Home Depot begins selling residential solar power systems in California. A year later it expands sales to include 61 stores nationwide.

14. History of Solar Power 7th Century BC 2nd Century BC
Magnifying glass used to concentrate sun’s rays to make fire and to burn ants.
As early as 212 BC, the Greek scientist, Archimedes, used the reflective properties of bronze shields to focus sunlight and to set fire to wooden ships from the Roman Empire which were besieging Syracuse. (Although no proof of such a feat exists, the Greek navy recreated the experiment in 1973 and successfully set fire to a wooden boat at a distance of 50 meters.)
1st – 4th Century AD
The famous Roman bathhouses in the first to fourth centuries A.D. had large south facing windows to let in the sun’s warmth.
1200 AD
Ancestors of Pueblo people called Anasazi in North America live in south-facing
cliff dwellings that capture the winter sun.
1767
Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure was credited with building the world’s first solar collector.
1839
French scientist Edmond Becquerel discovers the photovoltaic effect while
experimenting with an electrolytic cell made up of two metal electrodes placed
in an electricity-conducting solution—electricity-generation increased when
exposed to light
1876
1876 William Grylls Adams and Richard Evans Day discover that selenium produces electricity when exposed to light. Although selenium solar cells failed to convert enough sunlight to power electrical equipment, they proved that a solid material could change light into electricity without heat or moving parts.
1883
Charles Fritts, an American inventor, described the first solar cells made from
selenium wafers.
1891
Baltimore inventor Clarence Kemp patented the first commercial solar
water heater. For more information on the water heater, see the
California
Solar Center.
1954
Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson develop the silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell at Bell Labs—the first solar cell capable of converting enough of the sun’s energy into power to run everyday electrical equipment.
1960
Silicon Sensors, Inc., of Dodgeville, Wisconsin, is founded. It starts producing selenium and silicon photovoltaic cells.
1969
The Odeillo solar furnace in France was constructed, using an 8-story parabolic mirror.
1982
The U.S. Department of Energy, along with an industry consortium, begins
operating Solar One, a 10-megawatt central-receiver demonstration project.
1999
Cumulative worldwide installed photovoltaic capacity reaches 1000 megawatts.
2001
Home Depot begins selling residential solar power systems in California. A year later it expands sales to include 61 stores nationwide.

15. History of Solar Power 7th Century BC 2nd Century BC
Magnifying glass used to concentrate sun’s rays to make fire and to burn ants.
As early as 212 BC, the Greek scientist, Archimedes, used the reflective properties of bronze shields to focus sunlight and to set fire to wooden ships from the Roman Empire which were besieging Syracuse. (Although no proof of such a feat exists, the Greek navy recreated the experiment in 1973 and successfully set fire to a wooden boat at a distance of 50 meters.)
1st – 4th Century AD
The famous Roman bathhouses in the first to fourth centuries A.D. had large south facing windows to let in the sun’s warmth.
1200 AD
Ancestors of Pueblo people called Anasazi in North America live in south-facing
cliff dwellings that capture the winter sun.
1767
Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure was credited with building the world’s first solar collector.
1839
French scientist Edmond Becquerel discovers the photovoltaic effect while
experimenting with an electrolytic cell made up of two metal electrodes placed
in an electricity-conducting solution—electricity-generation increased when
exposed to light
1876
1876 William Grylls Adams and Richard Evans Day discover that selenium produces electricity when exposed to light. Although selenium solar cells failed to convert enough sunlight to power electrical equipment, they proved that a solid material could change light into electricity without heat or moving parts.
1883
Charles Fritts, an American inventor, described the first solar cells made from
selenium wafers.
1891
Baltimore inventor Clarence Kemp patented the first commercial solar
water heater. For more information on the water heater, see the
California
Solar Center.
1954
Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson develop the silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell at Bell Labs—the first solar cell capable of converting enough of the sun’s energy into power to run everyday electrical equipment.
1960
Silicon Sensors, Inc., of Dodgeville, Wisconsin, is founded. It starts producing selenium and silicon photovoltaic cells.
1969
The Odeillo solar furnace in France was constructed, using an 8-story parabolic mirror.
1982
The U.S. Department of Energy, along with an industry consortium, begins
operating Solar One, a 10-megawatt central-receiver demonstration project.
1999
Cumulative worldwide installed photovoltaic capacity reaches 1000 megawatts.
2001
Home Depot begins selling residential solar power systems in California. A year later it expands sales to include 61 stores nationwide.

16. History of Solar Power 7th Century BC 2nd Century BC
Magnifying glass used to concentrate sun’s rays to make fire and to burn ants.
As early as 212 BC, the Greek scientist, Archimedes, used the reflective properties of bronze shields to focus sunlight and to set fire to wooden ships from the Roman Empire which were besieging Syracuse. (Although no proof of such a feat exists, the Greek navy recreated the experiment in 1973 and successfully set fire to a wooden boat at a distance of 50 meters.)
1st – 4th Century AD
The famous Roman bathhouses in the first to fourth centuries A.D. had large south facing windows to let in the sun’s warmth.
1200 AD
Ancestors of Pueblo people called Anasazi in North America live in south-facing
cliff dwellings that capture the winter sun.
1767
Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure was credited with building the world’s first solar collector.
1839
French scientist Edmond Becquerel discovers the photovoltaic effect while
experimenting with an electrolytic cell made up of two metal electrodes placed
in an electricity-conducting solution—electricity-generation increased when
exposed to light
1876
1876 William Grylls Adams and Richard Evans Day discover that selenium produces electricity when exposed to light. Although selenium solar cells failed to convert enough sunlight to power electrical equipment, they proved that a solid material could change light into electricity without heat or moving parts.
1883
Charles Fritts, an American inventor, described the first solar cells made from
selenium wafers.
1891
Baltimore inventor Clarence Kemp patented the first commercial solar
water heater. For more information on the water heater, see the
California
Solar Center.
1954
Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson develop the silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell at Bell Labs—the first solar cell capable of converting enough of the sun’s energy into power to run everyday electrical equipment.
1960
Silicon Sensors, Inc., of Dodgeville, Wisconsin, is founded. It starts producing selenium and silicon photovoltaic cells.
1969
The Odeillo solar furnace in France was constructed, using an 8-story parabolic mirror.
1982
The U.S. Department of Energy, along with an industry consortium, begins
operating Solar One, a 10-megawatt central-receiver demonstration project.
1999
Cumulative worldwide installed photovoltaic capacity reaches 1000 megawatts.
2001
Home Depot begins selling residential solar power systems in California. A year later it expands sales to include 61 stores nationwide.

17. History of Solar Power 7th Century BC 2nd Century BC
Magnifying glass used to concentrate sun’s rays to make fire and to burn ants.
As early as 212 BC, the Greek scientist, Archimedes, used the reflective properties of bronze shields to focus sunlight and to set fire to wooden ships from the Roman Empire which were besieging Syracuse. (Although no proof of such a feat exists, the Greek navy recreated the experiment in 1973 and successfully set fire to a wooden boat at a distance of 50 meters.)
1st – 4th Century AD
The famous Roman bathhouses in the first to fourth centuries A.D. had large south facing windows to let in the sun’s warmth.
1200 AD
Ancestors of Pueblo people called Anasazi in North America live in south-facing
cliff dwellings that capture the winter sun.
1767
Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure was credited with building the world’s first solar collector.
1839
French scientist Edmond Becquerel discovers the photovoltaic effect while
experimenting with an electrolytic cell made up of two metal electrodes placed
in an electricity-conducting solution—electricity-generation increased when
exposed to light
1876
1876 William Grylls Adams and Richard Evans Day discover that selenium produces electricity when exposed to light. Although selenium solar cells failed to convert enough sunlight to power electrical equipment, they proved that a solid material could change light into electricity without heat or moving parts.
1883
Charles Fritts, an American inventor, described the first solar cells made from
selenium wafers.
1891
Baltimore inventor Clarence Kemp patented the first commercial solar
water heater. For more information on the water heater, see the
California
Solar Center.
1954
Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson develop the silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell at Bell Labs—the first solar cell capable of converting enough of the sun’s energy into power to run everyday electrical equipment.
1960
Silicon Sensors, Inc., of Dodgeville, Wisconsin, is founded. It starts producing selenium and silicon photovoltaic cells.
1969
The Odeillo solar furnace in France was constructed, using an 8-story parabolic mirror.
1982
The U.S. Department of Energy, along with an industry consortium, begins
operating Solar One, a 10-megawatt central-receiver demonstration project.
1999
Cumulative worldwide installed photovoltaic capacity reaches 1000 megawatts.
2001
Home Depot begins selling residential solar power systems in California. A year later it expands sales to include 61 stores nationwide.

18. What’s Coming Up? The Electromagnetic Spectrum Passive Solar Energy
Active Solar Energy
Power Transmission
Impacts on Environment/Society