Students discover how the energy output of solar panels can be influenced by various factors. To begin the lesson, students view images of school rooftop solar PV systems and judge which system would be the most efficient. Students use their decisions to develop the criteria for the optimal placement of a rooftop solar PV system. Students then use the criteria to judge the placement of two school rooftop solar PV systems. To conclude the lesson, students use their learning to redesign plans and illustrations of a school rooftop solar PV system to optimize its efficiency.

This resource is part of the collection Shining a Light on Solar Energy.