State Energy Conservation Office-Texas
State Energy Conservation Office: Learning About Photovoltaic Systems [Pdf]
Explains how photovoltaic systems work and how Texas homeowners are using them. Discusses how a homeowner can use solar energy and still be on the electricity grid system.
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Power Plants
Photovoltaic technology is compared and contrasted to the natural phenomenon of photosynthesis. The means by which photocells harness solar energy is described and explained.
Idaho State University
Global Wind Systems [Pdf]
A great description of the global scale circulation and heat energy. Discusses a single-cell model, a three-cell model, jet streams and more.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Do Different Colors Absorb Heat Better?
Students test whether the color of a material affects how much heat it absorbs. Students will place an ice cube in a box made of colored paper (one box per color; white, yellow, red and black), which they will place in the sun. The...
NASA
Nasa: Helios, the Solar Powered High Flyer
This site is an article on, "Helios can fly higher than any other airplane! And it uses only the Sun's energy for fuel!"
Encyclopedia of Earth
Encyclopedia of Earth: Photovoltaics
Article explaining what photovoltaic cells are, their role in solar energy, how they work, how electricity is produced, and applications of this technology. (Published: April 24, 2010)
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Positive Energy
A novel idea for converting solar energy to electrical energy. A brief discussion of solar energy collection in space via satellites.
Creative Science Centre
Creative Science Centre: Mini Light Beam Receiver
A very simple device to convert light into sound can be made by wiring a solar cell directly to headphones (or an earpiece). The solar cell converts light into electricity and the headphones convert electricity into sound. The limitation...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Global Wind Belts
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes how regional differences in solar radiation create global wind belts.
US Department of Energy
Us Dept of Energy:mining Silicon Througha Single Displacement/redox Reaction
Students will participate in a laboratory investigation that models the production of silicon. The activity investigates the sources, uses, properties, and importance in the fields of photovoltaics (solar cells/renewable energy) of silicon.
Other
Nmsea: Electrolysis: Obtaining Hydrogen From Water
The New Mexico Solar Energy Association provides an article entitled, "Electrolysis: obtaining hydrogen from water - the basis for a solar-hydrogen economy". The article is medium size in length with pictures and charts throughout to help.
NASA
Nasa: The Space Place: Power Up With Tortillas!
This site from NASA provides The Space Place which gives a great explanation of energy sources for young readers using the space shuttle, cars, and our human body as examples.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Photosynthesis Life's Primary Energy Source
This lesson covers the process of photosynthesis and the related plant cell functions of transpiration and cellular respiration. Students will learn how engineers can use the natural process of photosynthesis as an exemplary model of a...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Greenewables
Students form expert engineering teams working for the (fictional) alternative energy consulting firm, Greenewables, Inc. Each team specializes in a form of renewable energy used to generate electrical power: passive solar, solar...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Alternative Energy Resources
Society is beginning to recognize the limited supply of fossil fuels. In this project, students will investigate alternative energy sources. Conservation of resources is discussed and while conservation is an important step, at some...
Other
Planet Ark: World Environmental News
Welcome to Planet Ark's daily Reuters World Environment News - the most comprehensive source of environmental news on the Net. To read previous news stories, please use the search engine below to find stories relating to any...