How does solar work?

Tips for Primary and Secondary on how to explain the power of solar.

Solar made simple!

Explaining how solar works for the first time can be a bit daunting.

However, if you follow the information on this page, you will become more confident in your understanding of this incredible technology and able to share this knowledge with your students and peers with confidence.

Solar photovoltaic systems, or solar panels, allow any building to generate its own electricity, using sunlight as its power source.
Taken from 'Solar: Unit 1' - Solar for Schools App

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How solar works - diagram from the Solar for Schools app

New video coming soon!

For Primary children

Understanding how fuels or renewable energy powers our electricity can be quite abstract.

We recommend using our handpicked selection of Earth Cub videos to begin the journey, or the Energy Heroes programme for a more in-depth approach.

Thanks to National Grid, we've partnered with Earth Cubs to bring you a new video all about solar. Watch this space!

For Secondary students

Focus on facts about renewables and acknowledge that one source is not the answer. Solar is set to be a major contributor to electricity generation, but we can't rely on it totally... yet!

We recommend using Switch Energy Alliance. They are based in North America but offer an unbiased view for your pupils. We bring you a handpicked selection of their excellent Science videos.

We love this one (right) for its clear and concise explanation of the science behind solar, and the handy summary notes at the end.