Renewable Energy Systems · SHS2 Engineering

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 2.2.2.LI.4 - Design and install simple photovoltaic and solar thermal systems.

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Create a labelled block diagram showing the design of a simple photovoltaic system for a specified facility.
Create a labelled block diagram showing the design of a simple solar thermal system for a specified facility.
Sequence the steps for installing a photovoltaic system and a solar thermal system in the correct order, using a flowchart.
Justify component selection (sizing and placement) for a given facility based on its energy needs and location.
Present and defend a simple system design to peers, responding to constructive critique and incorporating feedback.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Energy Systems (Strand 2)
Sub-strand: Renewable Energy Systems (2.2)
Content standard: 2.2.2.CS.1 - Demonstrate understanding of basic concepts in photovoltaic and solar thermal systems. 2.2.2.LO.1 Apply operating principles of photovoltaic and solar thermal systems. 2.2.2.LO.2 Design a simple photovoltaic and solar thermal energy system.
Indicator: 2.2.2.LI.4 - Design and install simple photovoltaic and solar thermal systems.
Suggested placement: Semester 2, Week 5 (Week 25 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Source document note: The official curriculum document has a fault in this entry, so the curriculum text above is transcribed exactly as printed:

indicator text - p.86 the document prints this indicator's code as 2.2.2.L.1.4. Its content stream draws the type token as the string operands 2.2. then L.1. then 4, so the token has lost the I of LI and carries a stray .1. segment; L is not a member of the document's own CS/LO/LI/AS vocabulary. Filed as 2.2.2.LI.4 because the four assessments printed beside these rows are 2.2.2.AS.1 to 2.2.2.AS.4, the scope and sequence gives this sub-strand four learning indicators in Year 2, and Years 1 and 3 print 1.2.2.LI.1 to LI.4 and 3.2.2.LI.1 to LI.4 for the same sub-strand. This is the shape SHS Physics settled on a render, where the fifth segment is the indicator number and the fourth is a stuck digit.
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 86

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Digital Learning: Learners watch videos on the design and installation of the two systems. In a moderated discussion, learners share their observations and discuss how photovoltaic and solar thermal systems are designed and installed.
Managing Talk for Learning: Use a flowchart to illustrate the approach or processes to the basic design and installation of such systems.
Experiential and Problem-based Learning: Learners visit a facility of installed photovoltaic and solar thermal systems to interact with engineers/technicians about the installations. Learners are given group assignments to design photovoltaic and solar thermal systems for a facility. Learners display for colleagues to observe and critique.

Assessment (2.2.2.AS.4). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 3 Strategic reasoning.

Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Projector
- Laptop and videos on the design and installation of photovoltaic and solar thermal systems.
- Visit facilities with installed photovoltaic and solar thermal systems.