Solar Houses
Description
Solar houses are one of the simplest and oldest uses of solar energy. A solar house is designed to capture solar heat in cold months and remain cool during hot months, thus offsetting use of oil, natural gas, and electricity for heating and cooling. Passive solar features—parts of a house that do not use mechanical devices for solar heating or cooling—can include south-facing windows, high-density building materials that absorb heat, and overhangs for shading. Active solar features can include pumps and fans that channel warm or cool air into storage spaces where it can be released at night. This activity introduces students to basic principles of solar heating. Students construct their own model solar houses and then see which attain the highest or lowest indoor heat.
Time Required: At least one class period to teach basics of solar heating and cooling; one class period to test temperatures of student model solar homes. Solar house construction should be homework, although you may want to have an in-class help session while students are working on their models.
Language: English
Teaching Process
1
Teachers Notes
*complete lesson plan and student hanouts can be found on page 32 of the attached web link
Instructions for Students
Your task in this assignment is to build a “house” that will be heated by the sun. Of course, you will not be building a real house, but you will be using many of the same ideas as a solar-heated house. Your house will be the size of a shoebox.
1. The winning house will be the one that, when placed outside on a sunny day between 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM, achieves the highest interior temperature.
2. Each house must be at least 10 cm x 25 cm x 10 cm (exterior dimension).
3. Houses must be attached to a piece of cardboard or wood (50 cm x 50 cm) to prevent being blown away by the wind. You may want to bring the house and base separately to school for ease of transportation.
4. On the base you should draw an arrow. Your house will be placed outside with the arrow pointed toward magnetic north, as determined by a compass.
5. Each house must have at least one window covered with at least 250 sq. cm of glazing material. “Glazing material” is any material that allows light, but not air, to pass through. It might be glass, Plexiglas, plastic wrap, etc.
6. Any materials may be used as long as they do not create a safety hazard. Try to use materials that have been thrown away. Total cost for materials should not exceed five dollars. Present a statement from your “funding agents” (parents) verifying this.
7. Due date: __________________. Testing date will be the first school day after this date with acceptable weather.
8. Temperature recording: Temperatures will be recorded by placing a standard laboratory thermometer into the house from the side at a height of 8 cm.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
1. Which direction should the window(s) face?
2. How can you keep heat in the house?
3. Does the color of the interior make a difference?
4. Does the angle of the window make a difference?
5. What allows heat to get in during the winter but not during the summer?
6. In a real solar house, the temperature must be regulated to prevent overheating, even in winter. How is this done?
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Administration:Edit Resource
Source:Union of Concerned Scientists
Resource Type:Lesson Plan
Subject(s):Science,
Topic:Renewable Energy, Science and Technology,
Level:Intermediate / MiddleSecondary
Grade: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12