RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENGINEERING: SOLAR ACTIVITY

Project Sunroof

 

Overview

Project sunroof is a project that allows you to easily begin to research where solar panels would be best used. Google has created the online site “Project Sunroof” as an easy way for people to assess the area where they live and decide for themselves if solar panels are worth it at this time! Students will be exploring their hometown and their home addresses to see if adding solar panels in their town or at home would help save people money, and be able to generate enough electricity to power homes and buildings!

Materials

  • Personal computers or tablets

  • Worksheet printed here

Activity Duration:

30-40 minutes

Essential Questions

  • Would your city/ town be a viable option for more solar panels?

  • Is your roof at home a good place to put a solar panel?

  • Does solar power really save people money?

  • What are some limitations with solar panels currently?

 

Instructions

  1. Open up Project Sunroof: https://sunroof.withgoogle.com/

  2. Print out this worksheet to fill out as you explore the Project Sunroof site

  3. Start by clicking “EXPLORE YOUR AREA” and enter your zip code. Note how many existing solar installations are currently in your area, and what percentage of buildings are solar viable.

  4. Flip through and look at the different layers: Sunlight on rooftops, existing solar arrays, and median household incomes.

  5. Scroll down to the “POTENTIAL IMPACT” section and discover how much CO2 emissions would be avoided in the electricity sector.

  6. Switch gears to find your home and see if your house is a good option for solar panels! Click the search magnifying glass in the top left corner of your screen. Then click “CHECK A ROOF” and enter in your home address.

  7. Note the hours of usable sunlight per year, and the estimated net savings.