Analyzing Renewable Energy with Solar Panel Models
Introduction: Making Clean Energy Concepts Come Alive
In Ms. Garcia’s environmental science class, a student asked, “Why doesn’t every building run on solar energy?” That simple question kicked off a lab-driven unit on renewable energy experiments—where students didn’t just learn about solar power learning activity, they built their own working models.
Solar panel labs offer a hands-on way to teach core concepts like energy transformation, voltage measurement, and sustainability. With JoVE’s NGSS renewable energy-aligned videos and classroom experiments, high school students can observe how light becomes electricity and why renewable energy matters in the fight against climate change.
Why Renewable Energy Matters in Today’s Classrooms
According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office, solar power capacity in the United States has grown significantly over the past decade. Specifically, the installed solar capacity increased from 2.5 gigawatts (GW) in 2010 to over 97 GW in 2020, marking a nearly 39-fold increase. (source)
Despite this, a report by the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) indicates that only 42% of science teachers feel confident in teaching climate and energy topics. This statistic is highlighted in the NCSE’s publication titled “Mixed Messages: How Climate is Taught in America’s Schools” (source).
By integrating renewable energy experiments into the curriculum, educators can enhance their confidence and effectiveness in teaching these critical topics, aligning with NGSS standards such as HS-PS3 (Energy) and HS-ESS3 (Earth and Human Activity).
Easy Renewable Energy Experiments for High School Science
Ready to bring solar science to life in your classroom? Here are five NGSS-aligned renewable energy activities to try:
1. Build a Basic Solar Panel Circuit
Objective: Demonstrate energy conversion from sunlight to electrical current.
✅ Use solar panel kits to power LEDs or small motors
✅ Let students test panels under different light angles and intensities
🎥 Pair with JoVE’s Photosynthesis Lab Experiment to compare solar absorption in natural systems
2. Graph Energy Output with Real-Time Data
Objective: Practice data analysis and scientific modeling
✅ Use multimeters to record voltage and current from solar panels
✅ Have students graph data to determine efficiency under various conditions
🎥 Use JoVE’s Energy Dynamics to introduce energy flow and systems thinking
3. Design a Solar-Powered Water Purifier
Objective: Apply engineering design to real-world problems
✅ Guide students to build a water distiller using solar heat
✅ Test purification rates under different weather or angle conditions
🎥 Reinforce with JoVE’s Climate Change & Species Range to highlight why clean energy for classrooms matters for global resilience
4. Simulate Energy Storage with Battery Systems
Objective: Explore solar storage and sustainability challenges
✅ Let students design circuits using solar panels and rechargeable batteries
✅ Compare energy stored over time and power supplied to small loads
🎥 Use JoVE’s Measuring Biodiversity Lab to link renewable energy use to habitat protection
5. Host a Renewable Energy Fair
Objective: Encourage student innovation and peer-to-peer learning
✅ Have students present original solar-powered designs: lamps, phone chargers, fans
✅ Invite community members or other classes to attend
🎥 Use JoVE’s full library of High School Science Videos for inspiration and topic support
Real-World Example: Eau Claire Area School District's Solar Initiative
In Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the local school district installed over 100 kW of solar panels across its high school campuses, saving $20,000 annually in energy costs. More importantly, the district embedded solar monitoring tools into the curriculum, letting students track real-time energy production and analyze it in environmental science classes.
This project became a cornerstone for renewable energy experiments in the classroom and inspired career interest in sustainable engineering. (source)
Conclusion — Powering Classrooms with Clean Energy Learning
Solar panel models are more than a classroom experiment—they’re a window into the energy systems of the future. By pairing JoVE’s NGSS-aligned science videos with real-time sustainable development video, educators can give students the skills, confidence, and curiosity they need to solve tomorrow’s sustainability challenges.
JoVE’s high school science videos support NGSS-aligned teaching and simplify challenging topics like nuclear fusion in the sun, solar radiation, and energy conversion.
🔋 Ready to electrify your science curriculum?
👉 Book a FREE Demo today and get full access to JoVE’s animated videos, interactive resources, and solar science experiments!
