CREEK Lessons

Classroom Renewable Energy Education Kit

This information can be used for any lesson.  Please refer to it for background information on electricity and the components used in the lessons.  Topics covered are:

• What is Voltage?
• What is Current?
• What is Direct Current?
• What is Alternating Current?
• What are Alternating Phase Voltages?
• What is a Resistance?
• What is a Resistor?
• What is a Capacitor?
• What is a Battery?
• What is a Reversible Fuel Cell?
• What is an LED?
• What is Power?
• What is Energy?
• What is Power Source?
• What is Load?
• What is a Circuit?
• A Flashlight Can Be An Open or Closed Circuit
• What is a Series Circuit?
• What is a Parallel Circuit?
• What is a Solar Panel?
• What is a Fuel Cell?
• What is a Wind Turbine?
• Understanding Resistor Color Codes
• Understanding Data Logging
• Understanding Computer Plots

This lesson demonstrates how to measure the energy received from the sun over an entire day including the influence of clouds, overcast and possibly rain on the received energy.  Students place a solar panel near a window and attach it to the Smart Meter – Data Logger ^tm to sample the sun’s energy every 60 seconds during the classroom day.  Every 60 seconds a new data sample of voltage, current, resistance, power and energy are taken and recorded by the Smart Meter – Data Logger ^tm for later playback.  After all samples are taken the data is plotted on the classroom computer and discussed as to why the weather (clouds and rain, in particular) have an effect on the readings.

This lesson demonstrates the difference between sunlight and artificial light as it strikes a solar panel. It shows that sunlight provides a constant source of voltage and current while artificial light produces “ripples” due to its AC nature.

This lesson demonstrates how to measure the magnetic forces generated by the voltage and current flowing through a circuit composed of a choice of a solar panel, wind turbine, fuel cell or battery and one, or more, resistors. 

The Effect of Tilt Angle on Solar Panel Output (click here)

This lesson demonstrates how a solar panel reacts to the direct and indirect rays from the sun or an artificial light source in order to produce electricity.  It shows that solar panels must be aligned directly into the light source in order to produce maximum power and energy and that current more than voltage are affected by tilt angle.

The Effect of Heat on Solar Panel Output (click here)

This lesson demonstrates how a solar panel reacts to radiant heat from the sun including its diminished ability to produce electricity under this condition.

The Effect of Shade on Solar Panel Output (click here)

This lesson demonstrates how solar panels in series and parallel react to shade including the diminished ability to produce electricity under this condition.

Determining The Maximum Power Point (click here)

This lesson demonstrates how solar panels in either series or parallel have a maximum power operating condition known as the Maximum Power Point or MPP.  The maximum power point is where the solar panels can deliver the maximum power into a load.  MPP is a dynamic condition that varies based on external influences such as light intensity, tilt angle, heat and either a series or parallel arrangement of the panels.

Understanding The Difference Between Power and Energy (click here)

This lesson demonstrates the fundamental difference between power and energy.  The terms power and energy are generally used interchangeably; however, the differences are important to understand as they apply to correctly describing electrical and physical properties of force and work, respectively.

Understanding How DC Motors Use Power (click here)

This lesson demonstrates how solar panels can be used to power a DC motor that spins a propeller, which also demonstrates how the propeller itself acts as a load on the motor and regulates the power and energy used to spin it. 

Building a Solar Powered Battery Charger (click here)

This lesson shows students how to build a simple and effective solar powered battery charger.  In the process they learn about how energy is generated by the solar panel and stored in the battery along with how both the solar panel and battery behave during the charging process.. 

Understanding How LEDs Work (click here)

This lesson demonstrates how LEDs or Light Emitting Diodes can be wired in series and parallel configurations with the resultant affects on voltage, current, resistance, power and energy.  Students learn that LEDs of different colors also differ in their power consumption and other electrical parameters.