Photovoltaics and Solar Thermal Technology - ELE00095H
Module summary
This module introduces the facts governing the nature, availability and characteristics of the solar resources and the fundamental concepts of photovoltaics (PV) and solar thermal conversion. The conversion technologies are examined critically in terms of design, efficiency, manufacturing options and costs. Students will be exposed to advanced knowledge of PV from current research into cell materials to the design, implementation, and performance assessment of complete PV systems.
Professional requirements
Related modules
Additional information
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2025-26 |
Module aims
Subject content aims:
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To understand the principles of operation, generation capacity, design, and operational issues of photovoltaics (PV) systems.
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To understand the principles of solar thermal technologies' operation, design, and operational issues.
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To evaluate the operation of PV and solar thermal energy systems using data analytical and statistical techniques.
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To demonstrate state-of-the-art industrial case studies relating to PV and solar thermal energy systems.
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To reinforce learning through laboratory investigations.
Graduate skills aims:
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To understand the wide variety of current options available for PV installations and solar thermal energy systems.
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Measure solar energy generator output power and efficiency.
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To instil professional laboratory working practice.
Module learning outcomes
Subject content learning outcomes
After successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Describe the working mechanisms of PV and solar thermal energy systems.
- Create PV power generation models in MATLAB/Simulink.
- Discuss factors affecting the efficiency of PV and solar thermal energy systems.
- Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of different PV technologies.
- Identify and evaluate tools to analyse PV and solar energy systems data.
Graduate skills learning outcomes
After successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
- State basic technical concepts concisely and accurately.
- Compare and contrast different technologies.
- Plan and manage their time in a laboratory setting.
Module content
Professional Practice embedded into this module:
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Health and Safety
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Laboratory Practice
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Written communication skills
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Personal and Group Skills
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Design for Manufacturability (understanding of tolerances, material limitations)
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Engineering standards and Regulation
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 70 |
| Essay/coursework | 30 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 70 |
| Essay/coursework | 30 |
Module feedback
'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme. We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments. A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback.
The School of PET aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme. In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work. The School will endeavour to return all exam feedback within the timescale set out in the University's Policy on Assessment Feedback Turnaround Time. The School would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The School will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum. Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate. Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date.
Feedback Statement:
(i) Formative Feedback
1. Regular labs allow you to engage with the MATLAB/Simulink model and receive verbal help and feedback on your Simulink modelling.
2. After-class learning materials (webpage, YouTube linkage) on the module Wiki page help you to gain feedback on your understanding of the key module material covered in the lectures.
3. 11 workshops are arranged to help you to develop your application of PV systems design and prepare you for the closed-book examination.
4. Emails to the Module Coordinator with questions/comments will be answered as soon as possible.
5. A draft version of your assignment can be submitted to the module coordinator before the end of term, who will confirm whether this is all in the correct format, along with some general written feedback comments, and a series of recommendations for improvement.
(ii) Summative Feedback
You will receive a customised feedback sheet, showing the mark breakdown in each of the key areas being assessed along with personalised feedback and suggestions for improvement. The comments explain how well you have met the learning objectives, and also give you feedback about the things you could improve in future assignments).
Indicative reading
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Jenkins, N., & Ekanayake, J. (2017). Renewable energy engineering. Cambridge University Press.
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Reinders, A., Verlinden, P., Van Sark, W., & Freundlich, A. (2017). Photovoltaic solar energy: from fundamentals to applications. John Wiley & Sons.