Year 4 Lesson 9
Solar Power
Warm-Up Which of these appliances are powered by electricity?
Can you think of other everyday appliances that are powered by electricity?
Warm-Up Which type of electricity powers these appliances? Mains
Are there some which could go in both groups?
Battery
What are the positives/negatives of using mains electricity?
Mini-lesson Can you identify each energy source?
Why is renewable energy better for the environment than fossil fuels?
Mini-lesson Solar Power What are the advantages of this energy source?
Mini-lesson Solar Power: Advantages
Can be installed virtually anywhere.
The Sun is free!
Converts energy from the sun into electricity.
Panels require little maintenance. Can be used to heat water, power buildings and cars.
Mini-lesson How do solar panels work? Energy (light) from the sun stimulates electrons on the solar panels. The panels convert this into DC electricity. An inverter converts DC to AC electricity. The electricity ows to the electric box (or circuit breaker) ready to be used to power electrical items.
Mini-lesson Solar Power
Can you think of examples where solar power could be used to replace a non-renewable energy source?
Mini-lesson Pick a common electrical appliance. Can you describe how solar energy could be used to power it?
Keywords Complete the keyword activity in your Student Handout: Solar power
Renewable energy Ozone layer Non-renewable energy Fossil fuels
Electricity Appliance
Let’s Discuss 1. What makes an energy source renewable? a. Energy is collected from a resource which can be replenished. b. Energy comes from a source which cannot be replenished. c. Energy comes from sources that are all under the sea.
Let’s Discuss 1. What makes an energy source renewable? a. Energy is collected from a resource which can be replenished.
2. With a partner, discuss what could happen to our planet if we don’t increase the amount of renewable solutions.
Let’s Build! Create a system to simulate the function of a solar panel 1st Compare: ‘≥ 90’
1st Colour: red 2ne Colour: green
Filter: ‘30–89’
2nd Compare: ‘≤ 29’
Inverse
Let’s Build! Create a system to simulate the function of a solar panel Can you narrate the system so far?
If the Light sensor level is ‘0–29’, then no colour (no sunlight)
If the Light sensor level is ‘30–89’, then green (‘solar panel’ absorbing sunlight)
If the Light sensor level is ‘90–100’, then red (‘solar panel’ absorbing high levels of sunlight)
Challenge 1 Create a ‘solar-powered fan’ 1
additional Filter: ‘30–100’
DC Motor
Challenge 1 Create a ‘solar-powered fan’ 2 Car Controller on top of Chassis
tissue paper strips attached to Wheel RGB LED inside Car Controller
DC Motor inside Car Controller Test your system!
Checks for Understanding 1. What is the purpose of the Inverse block in the system? a. It means the RGB LED will stay on. b. It reverses the message to the RGB LED. c. It changes the colour of the RGB LED.
2. Which three are types of renewable energy? a. Wave, wind, solar b. Wave, wind, coal, c. Wave, solar, oil
Checks for Understanding 1. What is the purpose of the Inverse block in the system? b. It reverses the message to the output.
2. Which three are types of renewable energy? a. Wave, wind, solar
Debug It!
How can we alter the direction of the DC Motor?
Debug It!
How can we alter the direction of the DC Motor?
Key Press
Switch Direction
Challenge 2 Create a ‘solar-powered car’ First remove the Key Press and Switch Direction. 1
● ●
Add 1 additional DC Motor set 1 DC Motor to Counter-clockwise
Challenge 2 Create a solar-powered car First deconstruct your ‘fan’, and then ... 2
RGB LED
Light Sensor
Test your ‘solar-powered car’! DC Motors: set one to ‘Anticlockwise’
Wheels
Checks for Understanding 1. What are the function of the two Filter blocks in the system? a. To send a deďŹ ned range of values to the outputs. b. To ensure the maximum value for all outputs. c. To keep the system on.
2. Which statement about burning fossil fuels is correct? a. Burning fossil fuels increases the amount of non-renewable energy sources. b. Burning fossil fuels helps to restore the ozone layer. c. Burning fossil fuels releases gases which contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer.
Checks for Understanding 1. What are the function of the two Filter blocks in the system? a. To send a deďŹ ned range of values to the outputs.
2. Which statement about burning fossil fuels is correct? c. Burning fossil fuels releases gases which contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer.
Chilli Challenges
Experiment with driving the ‘car’. Can you add a function to the current system to control the steering and speed of the ‘car’?
Experiment with sound? Can you add a Sound Player set to alert when the light levels are too low to power the ‘car’?
Experiment with the colours of the RGB LED. Can you add a function to the current system so the RGB LED flashes a different colour when the Light Sensor reads a value between ‘50’ and ‘90’?
What have you learned today?
Exit Ticket
Can you annotate your system?
Exit Ticket Now let’s apply what you know!
Can you think of a new renewable energy source? Think about the natural resources in your local area.