Solar Energy

• This video provides an overview of some key ways to harness the energy of the sun, using both passive and active solar methods. 
• The technologies it describes include using thermal mass building materials, south-facing windows, window shades, reflective roof tiles, green roof materials, solar hot water collectors, concentrated solar power, and photovoltaic cells.
  

Positives

• This is a great video lesson about the different kinds of technologies that can be used to harness energy from the sun. 
• The video provides visual examples of each kind of technology.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• This video is part of a larger lesson in Khan Academy about energy resources and consumption, with a focus on fuel types and uses. 
• While no sign-in is required to view the video, an account is required to make comments.
  
• The first lesson in this series might provide helpful background knowledge for the students, as the quiz is primarily related to that content.

Differentiation

• While this video is designed to be part of an AP Environmental Science course, it could easily be incorporated into a science lesson on energy, human impacts on the environment, or renewable energy technologies.
• Try discussing with your students how an area's climate can be a determining factor when selecting which of these technologies presented would be the best design choice. 
• Other resources that could support this video include this course about renewable energy, this interactive map about solar power generation, and this video about barriers to implementing solar energy.