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Solar Electricity Educational Resources

The following educational resources will help students learn more about solar electricity, also known as photovoltaics (PV).

Some of the following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader

Competitions & Contests

Photo of thousands of visitors descending upon the Washington Mall to tour the village of the Solar Decathlon.

Thousand of visitors descended upon the Washington Mall to tour the village of the Solar Decathlon, a new student contest sponsored by the Department of Energy. Student teams are challenged to integrate aesthetics and modern conveniences with maximum renewable energy production and optimal energy efficiency into a 500-ft2 - 800-ft2 house that they design.

American Solar Challenge

In this DOE-sponsored competition, university teams, companies, and clubs from around the world build solar-powered cars and race them across the country.

National Junior Solar Sprint

A DOE competition where student teams in grades 6-8 construct model solar-powered cars and race them.

Solar Decathlon

College teams compete to design the most attractive and effective solar-powered house in this competition sponsored by DOE.

Educational Programs

EnergySmart Schools

This DOE program helps K-12 schools reduce energy consumption in both buildings and buses, reinvest energy savings in education, and create energy awareness among students and the community.

Photo of students developing projects involving solar applications.

Students are developing projects involving solar applications.

NREL Education Programs

From elementary school science mentoring to senior-level research participant programs, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) educational opportunities help provide the link to a new future. NREL's K-12 science programs engage young minds in renewable energy and also provide support for teachers. Our college and post-graduate programs help to develop a capable and diverse workforce for the future through mentored research internships and fellowships. And our more senior-level programs — from post-doctoral researchers up to sabbatical and faculty appointments, provide the opportunity to participate in the Laboratory's research and development programs, initiate new areas of research, and establish a base for ongoing collaborations between NREL and our stakeholders.

Schools Going Solar

This program provides information on schools enjoying the use of solar energy, including solar electricity.

Lesson Plans & Curriculum

Fun with the Sun

(PDF 545 KB)
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory developed this curriculum for students in grades K-2. It includes an activity called Sunbeams, which can help students learn about solar electricity.

The Global Sun Temperature Project

With this project developed by the Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education, students in grades 5-12 can join other students from around the world in recording and comparing their average daily temperatures and hours of sunlight. Features lesson plans.

Photo of students of all ages learning about everyday solar applications at the Solar Decathlon Village in Washington, D.C.

Students of all ages have an opportunity to learn about everyday solar applications at the Solar Decathlon Village in Washington, D.C.

How Far and Big is the Sun?

Global Solar Partners developed classroom activities that include comparing the size of the sun with the Earth and measuring the diameter of the sun.

Plug in the Sun

A classroom study guide developed by Global Solar Partners that is full of activities to help students aged 11-16+ learn about solar electricity.

Renewable Energy Activities: Choices for Tomorrow

(PDF 3.8 MB)
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory developed this teachers' activity guide, which includes an activity on solar cells, for students in grades 6-8.

Solar Matters

The Florida Solar Energy Center developed this science unit for grades 4-8, which includes activities to teach students about solar electricity.

Solar Powered Cars

A lesson plan developed by Global Solar Partners that has students build their own solar powered cars and race them.

Solar Wonders

The Florida Solar Energy Center developed this science unit for high school students, which includes information on solar electricity.

Energy for Keeps: Electricity from Renewable Energy

This comprehensive teaching guide for grades 6-12 covers the history, availability, impacts, technologies, and mangement of the energy resources used to generate electricity.

Resources for Reports & Papers

Ask an Energy Expert

Energy experts at DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC) can answer questions about solar electricity and help find more resources on the topic. Note: Consider the report's/paper's deadline before using this service. EREC can take up to 48 business hours to respond to inquiries and 2-3 weeks to ship any materials.

Glossary of Solar Radiation Resource Terms

This DOE resource defines solar technology terms, including those related to solar electricity and photovoltaics.

NREL Photographic Information Exchange

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory maintains a large collection of photos related to energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, including photovoltaics.

Photovoltaic Subject Portal

College and high school students can search, browse, and retrieve hypertext bibliographic citations from this database developed by DOE's Office of Scientific and Technical Information.

Solar Energy Topics

The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Web site features links to information and resources on solar energy by organization type and by topic, including photovoltaics.

Solar Radiation Resource Information

This DOE online resource provides information on several types of solar radiation resources in the United States, in the form of publications, data, and maps.

Science Projects & Activities

Photo of students receiving instruction about a variety of energy saving equipment at an outdoor workshop in the Solar Decathlon Village in Washington, D.C.

Students receive instruction about a variety of energy saving equipment at an outdoor workshop in the Solar Decathlon Village in Washington, D.C.

Global Solar Partners

(PDF 614 KB)
The program helps students research solar energy in their own communities and then provides them with the opportunity to exchange information and ideas with students from other schools.

NEED Solar Energy Activities

The National Energy Education Development Project has developed the following activity guides for learning about solar energy, including solar electricity:

A Renewable Energy Project Kit: Solar Electricity

This Web site features information on solar electricity for grades 7-12, as well as a plan for constructing a solar powered car.

Roofus' Solar and Efficient Neighborhood

This DOE Web site features information on solar energy, including solar electricity, for elementary students, as well as activities.

Sunsite Funsite

This Web site, developed by Tucson Electric Power, features animated information to help older elementary students learn about solar electricity, as well an activity.