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Solar & Farming: Harvesting Electricity and Veggies on the Same Land
Source: National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)
Learn about innovative strategies for adding even more value to solar-developed lands, such as growing food or planting pollinator-friendly habitats.
Rooftop Solar Installation Timelapse Video
Source: Center for Renewable Energy Advanced Technological Education (CREATE)
See how solar panels are installed on the roof of a large school building in this 3.5-minute timelapse video.
Renewable Energy Jobs Card Game
Source: Mystic Aquarium & National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
In this game, played similarly to “Go Fish,”students explore different types of renewable energy – including solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass – and survey roles of real people who work in those industries. Renewable energy is one of the fastest-growing job sectors, and that trend is only expected to increase in the coming years with the U.S. goal of achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.
Fastest Growing Occupations: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Renewable energy jobs – such as Wind Turbine Service Technician and Solar Photovoltaic Installer – are some of the fastest-growing occupations in the country. Using this Occupational Handbook, students can explore the pay scales, responsibilities, and training requirements of a wide variety of renewable energy careers.
Virtual Solar Tour
Source: Solar Empowered Schools
Explore the components of a roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar array through this interactive Google Slideshow.
Solar Technology Basics
Source: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
This is a good introduction to solar technology, including written text and a 2-minute video.
Women in Energy Careers Picture Book
Source: Authors Erin Twamley and Joshua Sneideman
This illustrated book spotlights diverse women working in STEM.
Flowers and Their Pollinators Video
Source: SciShow Kids
This 5-minute video reviews the adaptations of animals and plants that facilitate pollination.
Careers in Renewable Energy Video
Source: Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center (ATEEC)
This 4-minute video introduces the wide span of jobs in the renewable energy industry, including some less commonly featured technologies like wave energy.
Solar Storytime for Pre-K
Source: Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP)
Children can follow along with the video recording to hear two solar-related stories and create a sun craft. Featured books: Solar Power Comes to My Home by Susie Flann and Sun Song by Jean Marzollo. Video by the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program.
Solar Career Map
Source: Interstate Renewable Energy Council
This interactive career map is a perfect way to introduce the breadth of job opportunities in the solar field. Students can explore job details of specific positions and a path to their ultimate career goals. Don’t miss the short videos from actual solar professionals on the "About the Industry" tab.
Vocabulary Game - Important Solar Energy Terms
Source: Solar Empowered Schools
This quick, no-prep game is great as a warm-up or summary activity during a lesson or unit about solar energy. Similar to the game Heads Up, the goal is for students to guess each vocabulary term based on their partner's description.
Hear from Women in Solar - Video
Source: Solar Energy International
Women from across the world talk about their roles in the solar industry in this 4-minute video.
Clean Energy Jobs and Planning
Source: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Resources for clean energy careers, such as career maps for many types of renewable energy (solar, wind, bioenergy, fuel cells, and more) are available on this website.
