Solar Radiation and Applications

About this course

This course aims to provide understanding of basic and advanced issues related to solar systems, including electromagnetic radiation from the sun, solar geometry, as well as design and dimensioning of photovoltaic systems and solar thermal systems.

Expected learning outcomes

Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to: d) Study and assess of the solar potential of a specific place e) Analyze the basic characteristics of photovoltaic and solar thermal systems f) Characterize the long-term performance of solar thermal systems g) Dimension an autonomous or interconnected photovoltaic system h) Use software tools to estimate the energy production from photovoltaic and solar thermal systems.

Indicative Syllabus

    1.Solar radiation basics (1 hour) o Basic principles o Diffuse and direct solar radiation o Measurement 2. Solar geometry (4 hours) o Basic angles o Solar and civil time o Sun paths o Estimation of extraterrestrial solar radiation and available solar radiation on Earth’s surface 3. Solar thermal systems (5 hours) o Operation principle and basic parameters. o Flat plate and evacuated tube collectors o f-chart method 4. Photovoltaic (PV) systems (6 hours) o Physics of a PV cell o Types of PV modules o Types and components of PV systems o Dimensioning of PV systems o Other issues related to PV systems (maintenance, etc)

    Teaching / Learning Methodology

    Lecture: Various applications of displays will be described using ppt presentations, demonstrating videos, and internet sites. The students are free to request help. The students are encouraged to solve problems and to use their own knowledge to verify their solutions before seeking assistance. Exercises: A set of problems about the main topics of the course will be arranged in the tutorial classes. The needed written exercises will differ on their initial data for each student.

    The basic assessment method will be a written project related to a specific topic in solar systems. The evaluation of this project will be based by the quality of the written report, the oral presentation, as well as the feedback with the students during the whole semester. Apart from this, students will also be evaluated by a number of written exercises that will cover the main sections of the course (solar geometry, solar thermal systems and photovoltaic systems).

    Recommended Reading

    • Duffie, John A., and William A. Beckman. Solar engineering of thermal processes, 4th edition. John Wiley & Sons, 2013.
    • Mertens, Konrad. Photovoltaics: fundamentals, technology and practice. 2013.
    • Häberlin, Heinrich. Photovoltaics: system design and practice. John Wiley & Sons, 2012.
    • Lynn, Paul A. Electricity from sunlight: an introduction to photovoltaics. John Wiley & Sons, 2011.

    Prerequisites

     

    Start Date

    2023

    End Date

    2024

    Apply

    2023

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    Local Course Code

    TBA

    Cycle

    TBA

    Year of study

    TBA

    Language

    English

    Study Load

    Lectures 16 hours Written Report 80 hours Oral Presentation 2 hours Homework – Exercises 52 hours In total 150 hours  5 ECTS

    Mode of delivery

    Written exercises: 20% Written Report: 60% Oral Presentation: 20%

    Instructors

    TBA

    Course coordinator

    TBA

    E-mail

    TBA