Student-Designed Solar Photovoltaics Investigation – Teacher

Summary

Student teams act as solar energy consultants, designing and running their own experiment to test what affects photovoltaic performance, then using their results to recommend a solar array for the school. The investigation spans eight class periods and covers energy demand calculations, site selection, lab design, data analysis, and a final scientific presentation. Includes guiding slides, five student handouts, and a presentation rubric. Works well for high school Earth and Environmental Science or Physics energy units.