Solar power
I can consider the implications of installing solar panels.
Solar power
I can consider the implications of installing solar panels.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The size of a property determines how many solar panels can be installed
- The amount of energy generated depends on the a variety of factors
- It is possible to calculate when solar panels have paid for themselves
Keywords
Variable - A variable is a quantity that can take on a range of values.
Formula - A formula is a rule linking sets of physical variables in context.
Average - An average is a single number expressing the central or typical value in a set of data: the mode; the median; and the mean.
Common misconception
When calculating the amount of electricity produced by a solar panel, pupils may forget to convert its power rating from watts to kilowatts.
Always check whether the units for any values given in the informatin match the units that are required for the formula.
To help you plan your year 9 maths lesson on: Solar power, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 maths lesson on: Solar power, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 maths lessons from the Maths and the environment unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A __________ is a rule linking sets of physical variables in context.
Q2.How many watts are in 1 kilowatt?
Q3.850 watts is equal to kilowatts.
Q4.Which calculations would decrease 540 by 20%?
Q5.Substitute $$x=4.9$$ into the expression $$24.5x + 60$$.
Q6.$$E = PH$$. Calculate the value of $$E$$ when $$P = 0.35$$ and $$H = 3$$. Give the exact value, without rounding.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.1250 watts is equal to...
Q2.A house has a set of 5 solar panels. Each panel produces 1.08 kWh of electricity per day. In total, the set of 5 panels produce kWh of electricity per day.
Q3.A home owner spends £10 200 on solar panels. The panels save £1275 per year on electricity bills. How many years will it take for the annual savings to cover the cost of the solar panels?
Q4.In ideal conditions, a solar panel would generate 1.4 kWh of electricity per day. However, its performance is reduced so that it produces 30% less electricity. Therefore, it produces kWh per day.
Q5.The average cost of electricity could be calculated as: 24.5 p per kWh consumed + 60 p daily standing charge. For a house that uses 8 kWh of electricity per day, the cost would be £ per day.
Q6.The formula calculates the amount of electricity produced by a solar panel.
A solar panel has a power rating of 450 watts.
With 5 hours of peak sunlight, the panel produces kWh of electricity.
