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Database Provider

Author

EIA

Grades

6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th

Subjects

Science, Social Studies, Earth and Space Sciences, Geography, Engineering

Resource Types

  • Interactive Media
  • Charts, Graphs, and Tables

Regional Focus

North America, United States, USA - Northeast, New Jersey

Format

PDF

Solar Energy Infrastructure and Resources Interactive Map

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Synopsis
  • This interactive map features solar energy infrastructure and available solar energy in the United States.
  • Students can see the locations of all solar power plants and see the amount of energy from the sun that different regions of the United States receive each day (measured in kWh/m2/day). 
Teaching Tips

Positives

  • The legend and information presented are simple to understand.
  • Clicking on a solar power plant on the map will provide detailed information about the capacity of the solar plant and its location.

Additional Prerequisites

  • Students should be familiar with light energy and the position and tilt of the Earth in relation to the Sun.
  • There are two different base maps (road map and satellite) that can be changed by clicking on the bottom right corner of the map.
  • Students can capture images using the icon on the bottom left.

Differentiation

Scientist Notes
This resource is an interactive map that includes all components of the United States solar energy infrastructure including solar energy power plants and available solar energy resources (units: irradiance). This resource is easy to use and the interactive legend is easily understood. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
  • College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
    • Dimension 2: Geography
      • D2.Geo.2.6-8 Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions, and changes in their environmental characteristics.
      • D2.Geo.2.9-12 Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their political, cultural, and economic dynamics.
      • D2.Geo.3.9-12 Use geographic data to analyze variations in the spatial patterns of cultural and environmental characteristics at multiple scales.
  • Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
    • ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
      • HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
    • ETS1: Engineering Design
      • HS-ETS1-3 Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
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