1. Exploring Solar Energy
Student Guide

3. Exploring Solar Energy
What Is Solar Energy?
Every day the sun radiates (sends out) an enormous amount of
energy. It radiates more energy in one second than the world has
used since time began. This energy comes from within the sun
itself. Like most stars, the sun is a big gas ball made up mostly of
hydrogen and helium atoms. The sun makes energy in its inner
core in a process called nuclear fusion.
NUCLEAR FUSION
During nuclear fusion, the high pressure and temperature in
the sun’s core causes hydrogen (H) atoms to come apart. Four
hydrogen nuclei (the centers of the atoms) combine, or fuse, to
form one helium atom. During the fusion process, radiant energy
is produced. It takes millions of years for the radiant energy in
the sun’s core to make its way to the solar surface, and then just a
little over eight minutes to travel the 93 million miles to Earth. The
radiant energy travels to the Earth at a speed of 186,000 miles per
second, the speed of light.
Only a small portion of the energy radiated by the sun into space
strikes the Earth, one part in two billion. Yet this amount of energy
is enormous. Every day enough energy strikes the United States to
supply the nation’s energy needs for one and a half years. About
15 percent of the radiant energy that reaches the Earth is reflected
back into space. Another 30 percent is used to evaporate water,
which is lifted into the atmosphere and produces rainfall. Radiant
energy is also absorbed by plants, the land, and the oceans.
THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT
PERCENTAGE OF RADIANT ENERGY REFLECTED
Thin clouds
25% to 30%
Thick clouds
70% to 80%
Snow
Forest
50% to 90%
5% to 10%
Asphalt
5% to 10%
Dark roof
10% to 15%
Light roof
35% to 50%
The NEED Project
Water
5% to 80%
(varies with sun angle)
P.O. Box 10101, Manassas, VA 20108
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Radiant energy (light rays and arrows) shines on the Earth. Some
radiant energy reaches the atmosphere and is reflected back into
space. Some radiant energy is absorbed by the atmosphere and
is transformed into heat (dark arrows).
Half of the radiant energy that is directed at Earth passes
through the atmosphere and reaches the Earth, where it is
transformed into heat.
The Earth absorbs some of this heat.
Most of the heat flows back into the air. The atmosphere traps
the heat.
Very little of the heat escapes back into space.
The trapped heat flows back to the Earth.
The greenhouse effect keeps the Earth at a temperature that
supports life.
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3

4. Solar Collectors
Heating with solar energy is not as easy as you might think.
Capturing sunlight and putting it to work is difficult because the
solar energy that reaches the Earth is spread out over a large area.
The amount of solar energy an area receives depends on the time of
day, the season of the year, the cloudiness of the sky, and how close
you are to the Earth’s equator.
SOLAR COLLECTOR
Solar Energy
Heat
A solar collector is one way to capture sunlight and change it into
usable heat energy. A closed car on a sunny day is a solar collector.
As sunlight passes through the car’s windows, it is absorbed by the
seat covers, walls, and floor of the car. The absorbed energy changes
into heat. The car’s windows let radiant energy in, but they do not
let heat out.
Solar Space Heating
Space heating means heating the space inside a building. Today,
many homes use solar energy for space heating. A passive solar
home is designed to let in as much sunlight as possible. It is like a
big solar collector. Sunlight passes through the windows and heats
the walls and floor inside the house. The light can get in, but the
heat is trapped inside. A passive solar home does not depend on
mechanical equipment, such as pumps and blowers, to heat the
house.
An active solar home, on the other hand, uses special equipment to
collect sunlight. An active solar home may use special collectors that
look like boxes covered with glass. These collectors are mounted on
the rooftop facing south to take advantage of the winter sun. Darkcolored metal plates inside the boxes absorb sunlight and change
it into heat. (Black absorbs sunlight better than any other color.) Air
or water flows through the collector and is warmed by the heat. The
warm air or water is distributed to the rest of the house, just as it
would be with an ordinary furnace system.
On a sunny day, a closed car is a solar collector. Solar energy
passes through the glass, hits the inside of the car and changes
into heat. The heat gets trapped inside.
PASSIVE SOLAR HOME DESIGN
SUMMER SUN
WINTER SUN
Overhang
creates shade
HEAT CIRCULATION
Solar Water Heating
Solar energy can be used to heat water. Heating water for bathing,
dishwashing, and clothes washing is the second biggest home
energy cost. A solar water heater works a lot like solar space heating.
In our hemisphere, a solar collector is mounted on the south side of
a roof where it can capture sunlight. The sunlight heats water and
stores it in a tank. The hot water is piped to faucets throughout a
house, just as it would be with an ordinary water heater. Today, at
least 24,000 MWth (megawatts thermal equivalent) of solar water
heating, cooling, and solar pool heating systems are used in the
United States.
4
STORAGE OF HEAT IN THE FLOOR AND WALLS
South
North
SOLAR WATER HEATER
Exploring Solar Energy

5. Solar Electricity
Solar energy can also be used to produce electricity. Two ways to
make electricity from solar energy are photovoltaic systems and
concentrated solar power systems.
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL
Photovoltaic Systems (PV Systems)
Photovoltaic comes from the words photo, meaning light, and volt, a
measurement of electricity. Photovoltaic cells are also called PV cells
or solar cells for short. You are probably familiar with photovoltaic
n-type silicon
p-type silicon
cells. Solar-powered toys, calculators, and roadside telephone call
boxes all use solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity.
Solar cells are made of a thin piece (called a wafer) of silicon, the
substance that makes up sand and the second most common
substance on Earth. The top of the wafer has a very small amount
of phosphorous added to it. This gives the top of the wafer an
excess of free electrons. This is called n-type silicon because it has
a tendency to give up electrons, a negative tendency. The bottom
of the wafer has a small amount of boron added to it, which gives
it a tendency to attract electrons. It is called p-type silicon because
of its positive tendency. When both of these chemicals have been
added to the silicon wafer, some of the electrons from the n-type
silicon flow to the p-type silicon and an electric field forms between
the layers. The p-type now has a negative charge and the n-type has
a positive charge.
When the PV cell is placed in the sun, the radiant energy energizes
the free electrons. If a circuit is made by connecting the top and
bottom of the silicon wafer with wire, electrons flow from the n-type
through the wire to the p-type. The PV cell is producing electricity—
the flow of electrons. If a load, such as a light bulb, is placed along
the wire, the electricity will do work as it flows. The conversion of
sunlight into electricity takes place silently and instantly. There are
no mechanical parts to wear out.
Compared to other ways of producing electricity, PV systems
are expensive. It costs 10-20 cents a kilowatt-hour to produce
electricity from solar cells. On average, people pay about 11 cents a
kilowatt-hour for electricity from a power company using fuels like
coal, uranium or hydropower. Today, PV systems are mainly used to
generate electricity in areas that are a long way from electric power
lines.
SOLAR PANELS
UTILITY-SCALE PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION
SOLAR ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION
UTILITY-SCALE CONCENTRATED SOLAR
432 MW or 20%
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
1,676 MW or 80%
The NEED Project
P.O. Box 10101, Manassas, VA 20108
Image courtesy of Sacramento Municipal Utility District
A single PV cell does not generate much electricity. Many cells are connected to create panels that will produce enough usable electricity.
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5

6. Concentrated Solar Power Systems
PARABOLIC TROUGHS
Like solar cells, concentrated solar power (CSP) systems use solar
energy to make electricity. Since the solar radiation that reaches
the Earth is so spread out and diluted, it must be concentrated to
produce the high temperatures required to generate electricity.
There are four types of technologies that use mirrors or other
reflecting surfaces to concentrate the sun’s energy up to 5,000
times its normal intensity.
Parabolic Troughs use long reflecting troughs that focus the
sunlight onto a pipe located at the focal line. A fluid circulating
inside the pipe collects the energy and transfers it to a heat
exchanger, which produces steam to drive a conventional turbine.
The world’s largest parabolic trough is located in the Mojave
Desert in California. This plant has a total generating capacity of
354 megawatts, one-third the size of a large nuclear power plant.
Solar Power Towers use a large field of rotating mirrors to track
the sun and focus the sunlight onto a heat-receiving panel on top
of a tall tower. The fluid in the panel collects the heat and either
uses it to generate electricity or stores it for later use.
SOLAR POWER TOWER
6
Exploring Solar Energy

7. Dish/Engine Systems are like satellite dishes that concentrate
sunlight rather than signals, with a heat engine located at the focal
point to generate electricity. These generators are small mobile units
that can be operated individually or in clusters, in urban and remote
locations.
SUNLIGHT TO ELECTRICITY
With the exception of dish/engine systems, most concentrated
solar power systems operate in the same way:
Focused Sunlight
Compact Linear Fresnel Reflectors (CLFR) use flat mirrors to
concentrate the sun onto receivers. These receivers are a system of
tubes through which water flows. The concentrated solar energy
directly heats the water sending steam to a generator to produce
electricity. The first CLFR system is generating 5 megawatts of
electricity in Bakersfield, CA.
Heats Fluid
Heat Exchanger
Solar energy has great potential for the future. Solar energy is free
and its supplies are unlimited. It does not pollute or otherwise
damage the environment. It cannot be controlled by any one nation
or industry. If we can improve the technology to harness the sun’s
enormous power, we may never face energy shortages again.
Produces Steam
Steam Turbine
Generator
Electricity
DISH/ENGINE SYSTEM
COMPACT LINEAR FRESNEL REFLECTORS
Photos courtesy of National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Concentrated solar power systems currently produce 433 megawatts
of electricity in the United States. Two megawatts come from a dish/
engine system in Phoenix, AZ. Five megawatts come from a compact
linear fresnel system in Bakersfield, CA. Five megawatts come from a
solar power tower system in Antelope Valley, CA. The rest come from
parabolic trough systems in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii,
and Nevada.
The NEED Project
P.O. Box 10101, Manassas, VA 20108
1.800.875.5029
www.NEED.org
7

8. HIGH
More than 6
5 to 6
4 to 5
3 to 4
Less than 3
LOW
Annual Average Solar Concentration (KILOWATT HOURS PER SQUARE METER PER DAY)
Solar Resources in the United States
Note: Alaska and Hawaii not shown to scale
Exploring Solar Energy
8

9. Thermometer
O
F C
230
O
110
220
210
100
200
190
180
90
70
150
140
Temperature can be measured using many different scales. The scales we use most are:
Celsius
The Celsius (C) scale uses the freezing point of water as 0°C and the boiling point of water as 100°C.
Fahrenheit
The Fahrenheit (F) scale uses the freezing point of water as 32°F and the boiling point of water as 212°F.
80
170
160
A thermometer measures temperature. The temperature of an object or a substance shows how hot or cold it is. This
thermometer is a long glass tube filled with a colored liquid. Liquids expand (take up more space) as they get hotter.
60
In the United States, we usually use the Fahrenheit scale in our daily lives and the Celsius scale for scientific work.
Answer These Questions
The temperature of the human body is 98-99°F. Looking at the drawing of the thermometer, what would that reading
be on the Celsius scale?
130
120
50
110
100
90
40
A comfortable spring day is about 75°F. What would that reading be on the Celsius scale?
30
80
70
20
60
50
The temperature of a hot shower is about 105°F. What would that reading be on the Celsius scale?
10
40
30
0
20
10
0
-10
-20
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P.O. Box 10101, Manassas, VA 20108
1.800.875.5029
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9

10. Fahrenheit/Celsius Conversion
On the Fahrenheit scale, the freezing point of water is 32° and the boiling point of water is 212°—a range of 180°.
On the Celsius scale, the freezing point of water is 0° and the boiling point of water is 100°—a range of 100°.
To convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply the C number by
F = (C x
9
5
180
9
or
, then add 32, as shown in the formula below.
100
5
) + 32
If C = 5
F=(
9
x 5) + 32
5
F = 9 + 32
F = 41
To convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 from the F number, then multiply by
C = (F - 32) x
100
5
or
as shown in the formula below.
180
9
5
9
If F = 50
C = (50 - 32) x
C = 18 x
5
9
5
9
C = 10
Answer These Questions
If C is 50°, what is the temperature in Fahrenheit?
If F is 100°, what is the temperature in Celsius?
10
Exploring Solar Energy

11. Radiation Cans
When radiant energy hits objects, some of the energy is reflected and some is absorbed and converted into heat. Some objects absorb more
radiant energy than others.
Purpose
To explore the conversion of radiant energy into heat.
Procedure
Step 1: Put thermometers into the black and silver cans and position the stoppers so the thermometers are not touching the bottoms of the
cans. Record the temperatures of both cans.
Step 2: Place cans in a sunny place. Predict what will happen in your science notebook. Record temperatures after 5 minutes.
Step 3: Open the cans and allow the air inside to return to the original temperature. Place the cans in a bright artificial light, such as an
overhead projector. Predict what will happen. Record the temperature of both cans after 5 minutes.
Step 4: Fill both cans with 200 mL of cold water and record the temperatures.
Step 5: Place the cans in a sunny place. Predict what will happen. Record the temperatures after 5 minutes.
Step 6: Fill both cans with 200 mL of hot water and record the temperatures.
Step 7: Place the cans in a sunny place. Predict what will happen. Record the temperatures after 5 minutes.
Record the Data
AIR
ORIGINAL
°C
°F
COLD WATER
IN THE SUN
IN THE LIGHT
°C
°C
°F
°F
ORIGINAL
°C
°F
HOT WATER
IN THE SUN
°C
°F
ORIGINAL
°C
°F
IN THE SUN
°C
°F
BLACK CAN
SILVER CAN
Conclusions
Look at your data. What have you learned about converting radiant energy into
heat? About reflection and absorption of radiant energy?
1. Silver and black cans:
2. Solar and artificial light:
3. Air and water:
4. Cold and hot water:
The NEED Project
P.O. Box 10101, Manassas, VA 20108
1.800.875.5029
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11

12. Solar Concentration
Concave mirrors can be used to collect solar radiation and concentrate it on an object.
Purpose
To explore the concentration of solar radiation.
Procedure
Step 1: Fill the silver and black radiation cans with 200 mL of cold water.
Step 2: Put a thermometer into each can and position the stoppers so the thermometers are not touching the bottoms of the cans. Place
the cans in a sunny place.
Step 3: Position the mirrors:
Group A: The control—cans without mirrors.
Groups B and C: Position one concave mirror behind each can so that the mirrors focus sunlight onto the cans. The mirrors should
be about seven centimeters (7 cm) from the cans. Use pieces of clay to hold the mirrors in the correct position.
Groups D and E: Position two concave mirrors behind each can as described above.
Step 4: Record the temperature of the water in all the cans. Predict what will happen.
Step 5: Record the temperatures of the water in the cans after five minutes.
Record the Data
WITHOUT MIRRORS
ORIGINAL
°C
°F
WITH ONE MIRROR
5 MIN.
°C
ORIGINAL
°F
°C
°F
WITH TWO MIRRORS
5 MIN.
°C
ORIGINAL
°F
°C
5 MIN.
°F
°C
°F
BLACK CAN
SILVER CAN
Conclusions
Look at your data. What have you learned about concentrating solar radiation?
7 cm
12
Exploring Solar Energy

13. Solar Collector
Solar collectors absorb radiant energy, convert it into heat and hold the heat.
Purpose
To explore solar collection.
Procedure
Step 1: Cut two circles each of white and black construction paper 5 cm in diameter. Place the circles under the bottoms of four plastic
containers and cover with 40 mL of cold water. Record the temperature of the water.
Step 2: Cover one black and one white container with plastic wrap held in place with rubber bands.
Step 3: Place the containers in a sunny place so that the sun is directly over the containers. Predict what will happen. Remove the plastic
wrap and record the temperature of the water after five and ten minutes, replacing the plastic each time.
Step 4: Calculate and record the changes in temperature.
Record the Data
WHITE
NO COVER
BLACK
NO COVER
WHITE
WITH COVER
BLACK
WITH COVER
ORIGINAL TEMPERATURE - °C
TEMPERATURE - °C
AFTER 5 MIN.
TEMPERATURE - °C
AFTER 10 MIN.
CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE
AFTER 5 MIN.
CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE
AFTER 10 MIN.
Conclusions
Look at your data. What have you learned about collecting and storing solar radiation?
The NEED Project
P.O. Box 10101, Manassas, VA 20108
1.800.875.5029
www.NEED.org
13

14. Solar Balloon
Radiant energy often turns into heat when it hits objects. Black objects absorb more radiant energy than white objects. When air gets
hotter, it rises. A solar balloon works because the black plastic absorbs radiant energy and turns it into heat. The air inside gets hotter.
Purpose
To explore the transformation of radiant energy to heat energy.
Procedure
Step 1: On a very sunny day, take the solar balloon outside and tie one end closed with a
piece of string. Open the other end and walk into the wind until it fills with air.
When the balloon is filled with air, tie off the other end with string.
Step 2: Tie long pieces of string to both ends. Have two people hold the ends of the string
and place the balloon in the sun.
Step 3: Observe the balloon.
Conclusions
What happened to the solar balloon? Why?
14
Exploring Solar Energy

15. Solar House
A photovoltaic (PV) cell changes radiant energy into electricity. Electricity can run a motor to make motion and make light. A solar collector
absorbs radiant energy and turns it into heat. A solar collector can heat water. A water storage tank painted black can store hot water and
keep it hot by absorbing radiant energy.
Purpose
To model how solar energy can be used at home.
Procedure
Step 1: Use a cardboard box to make a house with big windows and a door in the front.
Step 2: Use clear transparency film to cover the windows.
Step 3: Use black construction paper to make a round water storage tank. Attach it to the side of the house with tape.
Step 4: Make two holes in the top of the box like in the drawing. Each hole should be about one centimeter (1 cm) in diameter.
Step 5: Place the solar collector on top of the house as shown in the drawing. Put the tubing from the solar collector into the water storage
tank.
Step 6: Place the PV cell on top of the house. Insert the light through the hole as shown in the diagram. Put the stem of the motor through
the hole for the motor stem.
Step 7: Put a tiny bit of clay into the hole of the fan and push it onto the stem of the motor that is sticking through the ceiling.
Step 8: On a sunny day, place the house in the sun with the front facing south.
Step 9: Observe the light shine and the fan turn as the PV cell turns radiant energy from the sun into electricity. The solar collector
represents how a real solar house could heat and store water. (It doesn’t really work.)
Conclusions
Explain how a house can use solar energy.
The NEED Project
P.O. Box 10101, Manassas, VA 20108
1.800.875.5029
www.NEED.org
15

16. Photovoltaic Cells
Photovoltaic (PV) cells absorb solar radiant energy and convert it to electricity. A motor converts electricity into motion.
Purpose
To explore PV cells.
Procedure
Step 1: Attach the motor to the PV cell by removing the screws on the posts of the PV cell, sliding one connector from the motor onto each
post, then reconnecting the screws.
Step 2: Attach the fan to the stem of the motor so that you can see the motion of the motor.
Step 3: Place the PV cell in bright sunlight. Observe the rate of spin of the fan.
Step 4: Cover part of the PV cell with your hand. Observe the rate of spin of the fan.
Step 5: Hold the PV cell at different angles to the sun and observe the rate of spin of the fan.
Step 6: Use a bright artificial light source, such as an overhead projector, and observe the rate of spin of the fan.
Step 7: Cover part of the PV cell and change its angle to observe changes in the rate of spin of the fan.
Step 8: Hold the PV cell at different distances from the light source and observe changes in the rate of spin of the fan.
Step 9: Observe the direction of the spin of the fan. Remove the wires from the PV cell posts and connect them to the opposite posts.
Observe the direction of the spin of the fan.
Observations and Conclusions
What have you learned about PV cells and their ability to convert radiant energy into electricity? How does changing the area of the PV cell
exposed to light affect the amount of electricity produced? How does changing the angle of the PV cell to the light affect the amount of
electricity produced? How does changing the distance from the light source affect the amount of electricity produced? Can you tell from
your experiment whether artificial light produces as much electricity as sunlight? Why or why not? How does reversing the wires affect the
direction of spin of the disc? Why?
16
Exploring Solar Energy

17. Solar Oven
Purpose
To explore cooking with solar energy.
Materials (for two ovens)
ƒTri-fold display board
ƒSharp knife or scissors to cut board
ƒWide, heavy-weight aluminum foil
ƒGlue stick and clear packing tape
ƒClear plastic bags
ƒCooking pot with lid (use Solar Cooking Hints below)
ƒFood to cook
ƒOptional: Use pizza boxes covered with foil or Pringles cans to make mini-ovens
Procedure
Step 1: Cut board according to the diagram on the next page.
Step 2: Lightly score new fold lines before folding.
Step 3: Use tape to reinforce folds and to straighten pre-fold on wings.
Step 4: Cover entire board front with aluminum foil, taping or gluing securely.
Step 5: Slide points of wings into slits as shown in the diagram below.
Step 6: Put food in cooking pot and cover.
Step 7: Enclose cooking pot in plastic bag and place in middle of oven.
Step 8: Place oven with the sun shining on the pot.
Solar Cooking Hints
Use black metal pans and dark brown glass dishes. Never use light
colored cookware. A canning jar painted flat black works fine to
boil water. Use black cast iron if you’re cooking something that
must be stirred. It won’t lose heat when you open it. Don’t add
water when roasting vegetables. They’ll cook in their own juices.
When baking potatoes, rub with oil and put in a pot with a lid.
Don’t wrap with aluminum. Bake bread in dark glass dishes with
lids. When baking cookies, chocolate cooks fastest, then peanut
butter, then sugar cookies. Use a dark cookie sheet. Marinate
meats in advance. Place on a rack in a cast iron pot. One pot meals
are great! Cut everything up, throw into the pot, and put on the
lid. Food won’t burn in a solar oven. It might lose too much water,
though, if you cook it too long.
The NEED Project
P.O. Box 10101, Manassas, VA 20108
1.800.875.5029
www.NEED.org
17

18. Tri-fold Display Board Makes Two Solar Ovens
30 inches
8 1/2 inches
SLIT
fold
fold
SLIT
9 inches
9 inches
prefold
prefold
60 inches
10 inches
CUT
CUT
prefold
fold
18
prefold
fold
Exploring Solar Energy

20. NEED National Sponsors and Partners
American Association of Blacks in Energy
Hydro Research Foundation
Ohio Energy Project
American Electric Power
Idaho Department of Education
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
American Electric Power Foundation
Idaho National Laboratory
PECO
American Solar Energy Society
Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation
Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association
American Wind Energy Association
Independent Petroleum Association of
America
PNM
Independent Petroleum Association of
New Mexico
Puget Sound Energy
Aramco Services Company
Areva
Armstrong Energy Corporation
Association of Desk & Derrick Clubs
Robert L. Bayless, Producer, LLC
BP
Indiana Office of Energy Development
Interstate Renewable Energy Council
KBR
Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition
BP Alaska
Puerto Rico Energy Affairs Administration
Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources
RiverWorks Discovery
Roswell Climate Change Committee
Roswell Geological Society
Sacramento Municipal Utility District
BP Foundation
Kentucky Department of Energy
Development and Independence
BP Solar
Kentucky Oil and Gas Association
C.T. Seaver Trust
C&E Operators
Kentucky Propane Education and Research
Council
Sentech, Inc.
Kentucky River Properties LLC
Snohomish County Public Utility District–WA
Cape and Islands Self Reliance
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
Cape Light Compact–Massachusetts
L.J. and Wilma Carr
Chevron
Chevron Energy Solutions
ComEd
ConEd Solutions
ConocoPhillips
Council on Foreign Relations
CPS Energy
Dart Foundation
David Petroleum Corporation
Desk and Derrick of Roswell, NM
Dominion
Dominion Foundation
Duke Energy
East Kentucky Power
Eaton
Kentucky Utilities Company
Keyspan
Lenfest Foundation
Littler Mendelson
Llano Land and Exploration
Long Island Power Authority
El Paso Foundation
E.M.G. Oil Properties
Encana
Encana Cares Foundation
Shell
Society of Petroleum Engineers
David Sorenson
Southern Company
Southern LNG
Southwest Gas
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Tennessee Department of Economic and
Community Development–Energy Division
Louisville Gas and Electric Company
Tennessee Valley Authority
Maine Energy Education Project
Timberlake Publishing
Maine Public Service Company
Toyota
Marianas Islands Energy Office
TransOptions, Inc.
Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources
TXU Energy
Lee Matherne Family Foundation
United Illuminating Company
Michigan Oil and Gas Producers Education
Foundation
United States Energy Association
Mississippi Development Authority–Energy
Division
U.S. Department of Energy
Montana Energy Education Council
EDF
Science Museum of Virginia
The Mosaic Company
NADA Scientific
NASA Educator Resource Center–WV
National Association of State Energy Officials
University of Nevada–Las Vegas, NV
U.S. Department of Energy–Office of Fossil
Energy
U.S. Department of Energy–Hydrogen
Program
U.S. Department of Energy–Wind Powering
America
U.S. Department of Energy–Wind for Schools
Energy Education for Michigan
National Association of State Universities and
Land Grant Colleges
Energy Information Administration
National Fuel
Energy Training Solutions
National Hydropower Association
Energy Solutions Foundation
National Ocean Industries Association
U.S. Department of the Interior–Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and
Enforcement
Equitable Resources
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
First Roswell Company
Nebraska Public Power District
Van Ness Feldman
Foundation for Environmental Education
New Mexico Oil Corporation
Virgin Islands Energy Office
FPL
New Mexico Landman’s Association
Virginia Department of Education
Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority
New York Power Authority
Government of Thailand–Energy Ministry
North Carolina Department of
Administration–State Energy Office
Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and
Energy
Guam Energy Office
Gulf Power
Halliburton Foundation
Gerald Harrington, Geologist
Houston Museum of Natural Science
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U.S. Department of the Interior–
Bureau of Land Management
Walmart Foundation
NSTAR
Washington and Lee University
Offshore Energy Center/Ocean Star/
OEC Society
Western Kentucky Science Alliance
Offshore Technology Conference
Yates Petroleum Corporation
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W. Plack Carr Company