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Delft University of Technology

Solar Energy

Delft University of Technology via edX Professional Certificate

Overview

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Solar Energy technologies are among the leading renewable energy technologies to help our society to transform our energy systems and meet climate change mitigation goals. If you are new to these technologies and looking for an introduction to solar energy, this is the program for you!

The experts from Delft University of Technology set up this program to help professionals, entrepreneurs and enthusiastic learners to obtain the basic knowledge to take their first steps in the solar energy sector. It will also support local entrepreneurs who wish to improve the access to electricity in their communities and seek the knowledge to deploy a PV system.

In the program Solar Energy, you will learn to design a complete photovoltaic (PV) system for any application and location. This program introduces the technology that converts solar energy into electricity. The role of solar energy in both the energy transition towards a sustainable future and climate change mitigation will be discussed in detail.

The physical principle of the PV energy conversion together with the design rules for a solar cell are introduced. These design rules are applied on the various PV technologies from cell up to module level. We will also highlight various metrics related to performance, costs, reliability and circularity that will be used to evaluate the advantages and limitations of different PV technologies and its applications.

The program’s level is equivalent to a Bachelor’s level course and will provide you with an excellent first step that could prepare you for more advanced programs like the MicroMasters Solar Energy Engineering.

Syllabus

Courses under this program:
Course 1: Solar Energy 1

Learn about the leading role of solar energy in rural electrification and climate change mitigation. Introduce yourself to the physical principle of the photovoltaic energy conversion of solar cells.



Course 2: Solar Energy 2

The growth in global PV capacity towards 100 Terawatt by 2050 requires a diverse portfolio of PV technologies. Apply the solar design rules to PV technologies and analyze them using metrics related to performance, costs, reliability and circularity.



Course 3: Solar Energy 3

Solar photovoltaics (PV) is the cheapest source of electricity in many parts of the world. Learn to both design a complete PV system and to perform technical and economic assessments for PV systems ranging from large solar farms to residential systems



Courses

Taught by

Thierry de Vrijer and Arno Smets

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