Deploy Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaics
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, AP
Type: Scientific Reports
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering
Authors: Project Drawdown
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This article discusses the difference between utility-scale solar photovoltaics (PVs) and conventional power plants, efficacy of utility-scale PVs at generating power, and estimates for the emissions that may be reduced if utility-scale solar PVs continue to grow.
- Students will read about the benefits of using solar panels to generate electricity, the cost savings and expected reductions in emissions, and the feasibility of its adoption.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This article has a robust references section and additional resources to explore.
- This article acknowledges that energy use needs to decrease (through efficiency and less waste) in order to properly mitigate climate change.
Prerequisites
- Students should understand how electricity is generated in fossil fuel-based plants to see the huge benefit of solar PVs for air quality, land conservation, water quality, and toxic waste reduction.
Differentiation & Implementation
- To assess prior knowledge, the teacher can ask the class questions about solar panels before reading the article and have them research the process of electricity generation.
- Students can use this article for a persuasive essay on why the world needs to quickly transition to renewable energy sources and the economic incentives to do so.
- This article can support a classroom discussion on the American government's effectiveness at moving the country towards renewable energy or on the connection between energy usage and socioeconomic status.
- Science classes can utilize this article as an example of a brief scientific paper. Have students use it as a guide to create their own report from a lab experiment or research assignment.
This resource provides a discussion on the use of solar power. An introduction is provided discussing the use of solar power, along with the expected growth. A methodology to using solar power is discussed that provides example markets that can make the change to solar power, along with scenarios and a financial model. A results and discussion section round out the topic on utility scale solar power. This resource would be a great addition to a classroom discussion about alternative power sources being utilized at a large scale and it is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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