Module Descriptors
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
ELEC70558
Key Facts
School of Creative Arts and Engineering
Level 7
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Torfeh Sadat-Shafai
Email: T.Sadat-Shafai@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 36
Independent Study Hours: 114
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- LABATORY WORK OR CASE STUDY weighted at 50%
- EXAMINATION weighted at 50%
Module Details
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Introduction to solar energy, sun light and its characteristics, solar radiation and its attenuation by the atmosphere, sun’s rotation and solar insolation, sunshine hours data, solar thermal energy, solar heating, solar collectors, photovoltaics, basic solar cell working principles, inorganic/organic solar cells, fabrications, the behaviour of solar cell, power conversion efficiency, future trend and development, economic considerations.
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Coursework (2,000 words) weighted at 50% consisting of a practical assignment or a case study and a reflective diary which will assess Learning Outcomes 3 and 4.
A 2-hour EXAM weighted at 50% covering Learning Outcomes 1 and 2.
A 2-hour EXAM weighted at 50% covering Learning Outcomes 1 and 2.
LEARNING STRATEGIES
Contact hours: This module runs over 12 weeks. This includes 12 lectures with duration of 2 hours. In addition 4 tutorial sessions with 1 hour duration and 2 laboratory sessions with 4 hour duration is organised. To provide a total of 36 contact hours.
Independent study hours: directed reading, information gathering, and student supervised learning (114 hours).
Independent study hours: directed reading, information gathering, and student supervised learning (114 hours).
REFERRING TO TEXTS
Boyle, G. (2012) Renewable energy: POWER FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, 3rd Edn., Oxford: OUP.
Wenham, S., Green, M., Watt, M. & Korkish, R. (2012) Applied Photovoltaics, 3rd Edn., Oxon: Earthscan.
Messenger, R. & Abtahi, A. (2010) Photovoltaic Systems Engineering, 3rd Edn., Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Nelson, J. (2009) The Physics of Solar Cells, Imperial College press.
Wurfel, P. (2009) The Physics of Solar Cells: From Basic Principles to Advanced Concepts, Wiley-VCH.
Wenham, S., Green, M., Watt, M. & Korkish, R. (2012) Applied Photovoltaics, 3rd Edn., Oxon: Earthscan.
Messenger, R. & Abtahi, A. (2010) Photovoltaic Systems Engineering, 3rd Edn., Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Nelson, J. (2009) The Physics of Solar Cells, Imperial College press.
Wurfel, P. (2009) The Physics of Solar Cells: From Basic Principles to Advanced Concepts, Wiley-VCH.
ACCESSING RESOURCES
Blackboard VLE
Specialist software and hardware in R116
Specialist software and hardware in R116
SPECIAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
None.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding and knowledge of solar energy and the use of solar energy systems to reduce our carbon footprint.
(KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING)
2. Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the behaviour of the sun light and critically evaluate methodologies and techniques to characterise its attenuation by the atmosphere.
(ENQUIRY)
3. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the current research in solar thermal energy and communicate this to specialists and non-specialist audiences.
(ANALYSIS, COMMUNICATION)
4. Solve complex and unfamiliar problems associated with PV working principle and demonstrate originality in its applications.
(PROBLEM SOLVING, APPLICATION)
(KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING)
2. Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the behaviour of the sun light and critically evaluate methodologies and techniques to characterise its attenuation by the atmosphere.
(ENQUIRY)
3. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the current research in solar thermal energy and communicate this to specialists and non-specialist audiences.
(ANALYSIS, COMMUNICATION)
4. Solve complex and unfamiliar problems associated with PV working principle and demonstrate originality in its applications.
(PROBLEM SOLVING, APPLICATION)