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Student Resources on Photovoltaics

Photo of students preparing to race solar-powered model cars.

Students prepare to race their solar-powered cars, which they constructed, at NREL's Junior Solar Sprint.

The following resources will help you learn more about photovoltaic (PV) systems. If you are unfamiliar with this technology, see the introduction to photovoltaic (solar cell) systems.

Grades 7-12

Re-Energy: Solar Electricity
Information about solar cells, including how to build a solar-powered car.

High School and College Level

U.S. Department of Energy National Center for Photovoltaics
Learn about NREL's research and development efforts in photovoltaics.

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Technologies Program
Features information about photovoltaics.

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon
A competition among college teams to design the most attractive, energy-efficient, and effective solar-powered house.

Publications

Photovoltaic Subject Portal
From the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Scientific and Technical Information.

A Consumer's Guide: Get Your Power from the Sun (PDF 763 KB) Download Adobe Reader.