Innovations in Solar Power

This resource has been designed to support the use of Museums Victoria’s Innovation Stories series, a digital project showcasing stories of Victorian innovation. This video resource focuses on solar power, and provides guided discussion questions, prompts and extension activities for the classroom.   

In this activity students will 

• Watch a video in which they hear from experts about solar power and Australian innovations in solar technology.    
• Read about the history of solar power and new technologies.      
• Consider how scientific knowledge, skills and data are used in innovation.  

Suggested questions to engage students 

• What is renewable energy?  
• Where do you see solar power being used?  
• What do you think are current attitudes to solar power? Do you think these attitudes have changed over time?  
• Where do you see the future of solar power and similar technologies?  

What to do

Watch the video and read the accompanying article: 

In small groups or as a class discuss:  

• What are the origins of solar power? 
• What are some of the breakthroughs mentioned in the video / article? 
• What were early opinions or attitudes towards solar power? How does this compare with people’s opinions on solar power now?  

Find out more 

The origins of solar power go way back to 1839 ... But solar electricity as we know it today comes from a breakthrough from Bell Labs in 1954. — Matilda Vaughan, Curator of Engineering, Museums Victoria

Investigate the history of solar power. Create a timeline of major breakthroughs, developments and changes in solar power technology.  

Explore the role of the ‘space race’ in solar power technology.  

The future of solar 

We know the need to see solar technology deployed even more widely than ever, so we’re hoping that this can be integrated into parts of people’s lives where that hasn’t been possible. — Dr Anthony Chesman, Research Director CSIRO

The need, and demand, for renewable energy is ever increasing. It is a space of great innovation and constant development.

• Research perovskite. What is it? What does it offer over conventional silicon solar cells?  
• What bespoke applications might use flexible solar cells?
• Where can you see opportunity for this technology? 
• Consider (and research) where this technology is heading.
• Discuss the role Australia is playing in this innovative space.
• What are the opportunities and challenges?