Renewable energy and climate change for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 1
Age: 15 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: Solar PV Installation and Maintenance
Curriculum Theme: Principles of solar photovoltaic (PV)
Focal competence: Demonstrate the knowledge of Solar PV System as a viable source of renewable energy for environmental sustainability
Key competencies/values: Digital Competencies; Environmental Literacy
Skills:

• define renewable energy and nonrenewable energy

Previous Lesson: Types of renewable energy
Topic: Renewable Energy And Climate Change
Subject Matter: Meaning of Renewable energy and climate change, Meaning of renewable energy and non-renewable energy

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• define renewable energy.
• define non-renewable energy.
• define climate change.
• differentiate between renewable and non-renewable energy.
• identify various types and sources of renewable energy.
• explain the relationship between energy choices, resource availability, and environmental effects.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work For The New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Solar PV Installation and Maintenance for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 1

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Charts illustrating renewable and non-renewable energy sources
• Video clips showing examples of energy generation
• Digital devices (e.g., projector, computer, tablets)
• Internet access for research and video streaming
• Pictures of solar panels, wind turbines, fossil fuel plants

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it lays the foundation for understanding sustainable energy practices, which is central to Solar PV Installation and Maintenance. It helps students grasp the environmental implications of energy choices and highlights the role of renewable energy in mitigating climate change. This knowledge is crucial for developing environmentally responsible technicians in the solar energy sector.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils/students should have a basic understanding of energy, its forms, and its importance in daily life from their Junior Secondary education.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Renewable Energy And Climate Change

Meaning of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that replenish themselves on a human timescale. These sources are considered inexhaustible and can be used repeatedly without depleting them.

Meaning of Non-Renewable Energy

Non-renewable energy is energy derived from finite sources that are not replenished on a human timescale. Once these sources are used up, they cannot be replaced for millions of years, if at all.

Difference Between Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy

1. Source: Renewable energy comes from naturally replenishing sources (e.g., sun, wind, water), while non-renewable energy comes from finite sources (e.g., fossil fuels, nuclear).
2. Replenishment: Renewable sources are continuously replenished, whereas non-renewable sources are depleted upon use.
3. Environmental Impact: Renewable energy generally has a lower carbon footprint and less environmental pollution, while non-renewable energy often contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation.
4. Sustainability: Renewable energy is sustainable for long-term use, unlike non-renewable energy, which is unsustainable due to its finite nature.

Meaning of Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, but since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas), which produces heat-trapping gases.

Types and Sources of Renewable Energy

1. Solar Energy: Energy from the sun, captured using photovoltaic (PV) panels or concentrated solar power.
2. Wind Energy: Energy from the movement of air, harnessed by wind turbines.
3. Hydroelectric Power: Energy from flowing water, typically generated by dams on rivers.
4. Geothermal Energy: Energy from the heat within the Earth’s core, used for electricity generation and heating.
5. Biomass Energy: Energy derived from organic matter such as plants, animal waste, and agricultural residues.
6. Tidal and Wave Energy: Energy from the movement of ocean tides and waves.

Relationship Between Energy Choices, Resource Availability, and Environmental Effects

The choices we make about energy sources directly impact resource availability and the environment:

1. Resource Availability: Relying heavily on non-renewable sources like crude oil, natural gas, and coal leads to their depletion, as these resources are finite. Shifting to renewable energy sources ensures a continuous supply of energy because they are naturally replenished.
2. Environmental Effects:
   • Non-renewable energy: Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases (e.g., carbon dioxide, methane) into the atmosphere, which trap heat and contribute to global warming and climate change. This leads to rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and disruption of ecosystems. Mining and drilling for these resources can also cause habitat destruction and pollution.
   • Renewable energy: Generally produces little to no greenhouse gas emissions during operation, significantly reducing the carbon footprint. While there can be localised environmental impacts during construction (e.g., land use for solar farms, bird impact from wind turbines), these are typically less severe and more manageable than those associated with fossil fuels.
3. Sustainable Development: Choosing renewable energy supports sustainable development by preserving finite resources for future generations and reducing environmental damage, leading to a healthier planet and more stable energy supply.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Group Work, Class Presentation

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to mention different ways they use energy in their daily lives (e.g., powering lights, cooking, charging phones). The teacher then introduces the topic: Renewable Energy and Climate Change.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by mentioning various uses of energy.

Learning Point: Everyday energy uses

Step 2: Meaning of Climate Change

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of climate change, providing simple examples of its effects (e.g., changes in rainfall, hotter days). The teacher also highlights human activities as the main cause.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Definition of climate change

Step 3: Defining Renewable Energy

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines renewable energy, using charts and pictures to illustrate examples like solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric dams. The teacher explains that these sources replenish naturally.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the charts and pictures, listen to the explanation, and contribute examples they know.

Learning Point: Meaning of renewable energy

Step 4: Defining Non-Renewable Energy

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Comparison

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines non-renewable energy, providing examples such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal. The teacher then guides a brief discussion to differentiate between renewable and non-renewable energy sources, highlighting their finite nature.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, identify examples, and participate in the discussion on differences.

Learning Point: Non-renewable energy definition

Step 5: Types and Sources of Renewable Energy

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Group Work/Facilitation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into groups and guides them to use charts and digital devices to discuss the types and sources of renewable energy. Each group prepares a short presentation.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils work in groups, discuss, and prepare to present their findings on types and sources of renewable energy.

Learning Point: Renewable energy types

Step 6: Energy Choices and Environmental Effects

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher facilitates a class discussion on how energy choices relate to resource availability and environmental effects, using familiar examples like generator fumes versus solar power. The teacher emphasises the importance of sustainable choices.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion, relating energy choices to real-world impacts.

Learning Point: Energy choices impact

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is renewable energy?
2. Give two examples of non-renewable energy sources.
3. How is renewable energy different from non-renewable energy?
4. Briefly explain what climate change means.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Energy concepts understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on renewable energy, non-renewable energy, and climate change into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Board summary recording

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key points of the lesson, reinforcing the definitions of renewable energy, non-renewable energy, and climate change, and their importance for environmental sustainability. The teacher encourages students to think about how solar PV systems contribute to renewable energy goals.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and reflect on the lesson’s main points.

Learning Point: Lesson concepts consolidated

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Further Reading

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook and research more about local renewable energy initiatives in Nigeria.

1. List three types of renewable energy sources and their primary applications.
2. Discuss two negative environmental impacts of using non-renewable energy sources.
3. Why is it important for Nigeria to invest in renewable energy?
4. Find out if there are any solar energy projects in your community or state and write a short paragraph about them.

Lesson Keywords

• Renewable Energy – Energy from sources that naturally replenish.
• Non-Renewable Energy – Energy from finite sources that do not replenish on a human timescale.
• Climate Change – Long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns.
• Solar PV – Photovoltaic technology that converts sunlight into electricity.
• Sustainability – Meeting present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own needs.

Differentiation

Support: Provide simplified definitions and visual aids for students who struggle with abstract concepts. Pair weaker students with stronger ones for group activities. Offer sentence starters for definitions.

Extension: Encourage advanced students to research the economic benefits of renewable energy or compare the energy policies of different countries regarding renewable adoption. They can also explore the specific technologies used in each renewable energy type.

Suggested Lesson Videos

YouTube search for “renewable non-renewable energy climate change SS1”