Solar Power and Renewable Energy Education for Teens

Being a teenager, your future will be immersed in solar, bio, hydro and wind power. You are on your way to be living in a solar powered residence and commuting in bio mass fueled vehicles.

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy can be defined as ”energy sources that are replaced by natural processes at a rate comparable to their use.” Some examples of renewable Energy are Solar energy, biogas energy, hydro (water) and wind power.

A non-renewable – energy source is limited and can eventually run out; these sources of energy cannot be replaced. Some examples of these are coal and oil.

How renewable energies work:

Solar Energy Information -  Photovoltaics is the process of converting solar cells into energy and creating electricity. Photovoltaic production has been very popular and has doubled over the past few years. Solar panels create electricity by converting the suns light into energy this is called the photovoltaic effect. The electricity in the panels travels to an inverter. The inverter converts the solar electricity into usable utility grade power, but it doesn’t go into the property yet. It travels to a box called the load center and into your utility meter. The utility meter allows power into the property or excess power out to the power grid.

Biogas Energy Information -  Energy made from the wastes of animals is call bio gas energy. The animal waste is collected in a containment called an anaerobic digester. While the waste is in the anaerobic digester, it decomposes with no oxygen creates a gas made up of methane and carbon dioxide called bio gas. The bio gas can be used as energy or create hot water in a heater. After the anaerobic digestion, the wastes becomes known as slurry and can be used as a high nutrient rich fertilizer.

Hydro Energy Information -  The cycle of water evaporating from bodies of water, collecting into clouds and then precipitating as rain or snow to then flow back to bodies of water is known as The Hydrologic Cycle. Most hydro electricity is created by water run off that collects into stream, rivers and lakes. Inside a structure called a powerhouse, the runoff turns a turbine and creates energy. The water is returned to the river, lake or stream. The powerhouse’s transmission lines carries the electricity to the communities.

Wind Energy Information -  The unequal heating of the earth by the sun creates wind. Wind can be harnessed to create electricity by using turbines. The turbine is made up of a tail, generator and rotator. The rotor consists of 2-3 blades that are aerodynamically designed to capture the wind. As the blades spin they are connected to the generator and creates electricity. The electricity travels
to a power inverted box through a meter and into the home or out to a power grid.

Simple energy saving tips!

Fight the Light!

Don’t leave lights on when no one is in the room. If you are going to be out of the room for more than five minutes, turn off the light. Besides, it’s cooler in the dark – literally. (get it?)

Don’t Leave Things Turned On

Turn off the TV when no one is watching it. The same goes for computers, radios and stereos – if no one using it, turn it off. Turn off all the appliances at the surge protector/control strip – that four- or six-plug extension cord that you plug all your computer things into.

In the Bedroom

Don’t leave on your computer, TVs, radios or games that use electricity when you’re not using them. If you want to be green, you have to always consider saving energy – even if your home is equipped with solar power!

In the Bathroom

Take shorter showers. You’ll use less hot water – and water heaters account for nearly 1/4 of your home’s energy use.

In the Garage

Is there an old refrigerator sitting in the garage or someplace else at home? Old refrigerators are real energy hogs! An old refrigerator could be costing your family as much as $120 a year to operate. Urge your parents to replace it if they don’t need it, and remind them that one large refrigerator is cheaper to run than two smaller ones. Renewable energy is also something to discuss with your parents – they can get a great tax benefit for installing solar panels, and maybe buy you some movie ticket to thank you.

Want us to come to your school?

We offer educational programs where our trained solar experts will talk with you and your classmates about renewable energies. We also bring in sample equipment from the field including solar panels and explain the photovoltaic process. Along with fun activities, you will learn why being green is the right thing to do. If you are interested in having SKY Renewable Energy conduct a program at your school, tell your teacher to check out the teachers page and contact us or you can contact us here. Make sure to include your school information so that we can contact your school and schedule a presentation. We hope to see you soon!