Design a Solar City
Students design and build a model city powered by the sun! They learn about the benefits of solar power, and how architectural and building engineers integrate photovoltaic panels into the design of buildings.
Design and build your own solar city!
In a time when creating clean energy is essential to the future health of our planet, engineers are looking for every way possible to produce carbon-free power. Using solar power is a great way to accomplish this task. Many new types of solar panels are being develped for building applications, including building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), which create carbon-free electricity on site, while serving as roofing materials, patio overhangs and/or window shading devices.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explain what a photovoltaic panel does and how it works.
- Describe the process of designing a house.
- Describe how photovoltaic panels can be used on buildings to create clean energy.