- Department: Electronic Engineering
- Module co-ordinator: Dr. Mahmoud Dhimish
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: H
- Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
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.
Pre-requisite modules
Co-requisite modules
- None
Prohibited combinations
- None
Occurrence | Teaching cycle |
---|---|
A | Semester 2 2023-24 |
Subject content aims:
To understand the principles of operation, generation capacity, design, and operational issues of photovoltaics (PV) systems.
To understand the principles of solar thermal technologies' operation, design, and operational issues.
To evaluate the operation of PV and solar thermal energy systems using data analytical and statistical techniques.
To demonstrate state-of-the-art industrial case studies relating to PV and solar thermal energy systems.
To reinforce learning through laboratory investigations.
Graduate skills aims:
To understand the wide variety of current options available for PV installations and solar thermal energy systems.
Measure solar energy generator output power and efficiency.
To instil professional laboratory working practice.
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.
Build PV power generation model in MATLAB/Simulink.
Describe factors affecting the efficiency of PV and solar thermal energy systems.
Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of different PV technologies.
Identify and explore 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.
Professional Practice embedded into this module:
Health and Safety
Laboratory Practice
Written communication skills
Personal and Group Skills
Design for Manufacturability (understanding of tolerances, material limitations)
Engineering standards and Regulation
Task | Length | % of module mark |
---|---|---|
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) Closed exam : Photovoltaics and Solar Thermal Technology |
2 hours | 70 |
Essay/coursework Coursework |
N/A | 30 |
None
Task | Length | % of module mark |
---|---|---|
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) Closed exam : Photovoltaics and Solar Thermal Technology |
2 hours | 70 |
Essay/coursework Coursework |
N/A | 30 |
The school aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme.
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).
Jenkins, N., & Ekanayake, J. (2017). Renewable energy engineering. Cambridge University Press.
Reinders, A., Verlinden, P., Van Sark, W., & Freundlich, A. (2017). Photovoltaic solar energy: from fundamentals to applications. John Wiley & Sons.