Solar Power Generation Technology Tutorial

How do I learn solar energy systems?

Those who are unfamiliar with how PV works, the elements of a PV system, and/or solar power ROI should take the first course of the specialization, Solar Energy Systems Overview. Material includes online lectures, videos, demos, hands-on exercises, project work, readings and discussions.

How many technologies exist to convert solar radiant energy?

Several hundreds of technologies exist to convert solar radiant energy into other usable forms that perform work for humanity. Please see lecture video for example images of each type of solar panel. To make sense of this technology space, and to produce meaningful technology assessments and projections, a technology framework is helpful.

What is solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation?

Solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation is the process of converting energy from the sun into electricity using solar panels. Solar panels, also called PV panels, are combined into arrays in a PV system. PV systems can also be installed in grid-connected or off-grid (stand-alone) configurations.

What skills do I need to become a solar energy engineer?

Learners should have a basic grasp of electrical engineering, physics and mathematical concepts. Those who are unfamiliar with how PV works, the elements of a PV system, and/or solar power ROI should take the first course of the specialization, Solar Energy Systems Overview.

How to design a PV system?

Now we can use all the things learned in this and the other chapters for actually designing a PV system. For designing the PV system we use the energy balance ap-proach, meaning that we design the system such that the generated energy and the consumed energy during one year match.

How do I conclude the book on solar energy?

The book is concluded with an Appendix, where some derivations that are too lengthy for the book are shown. As this book is on Solar Energy, it is good to start the discussion with some general thoughts on Energy. We will begin with a quote from The Feynman Lectures on Physics.