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Study information

Solar Power - 2019 entry

MODULE TITLESolar Power CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENE3009 MODULE CONVENERProf Tapas Mallick (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 3 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 21
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This is an extensive course covering all aspects of solar energy conversion including: solar resource estimation, solar photovoltaic technologies, solar thermal conversion technologies, equipment design and selection, system design and deployment. This includes physics of solar energy conversion, physics of solar photovoltaic technology, different technologies for conversion of solar energy into electricity and technology for conversion of solar energy into thermal energy based systems. In addition, integration and deployment challenges of solar energy conversion devices will be highlighted. 


You must have completed the first 2 years (or equivalent) on the undergraduate BSc renewable energy degree programme

.

Not recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.


 

AIMS - intentions of the module

An extensive course covering all aspects of solar energy conversion: solar resources estimation, solar photovoltaic conversion technologies and solar thermal conversion technologies. This will enable students to estimate, design, implement and deploy solar systems and power plants. An exclusive focus will be given towards solar system integrated into the residential and commercial buildings.

 

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)



On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:



Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:



1 acquire comprehensive knowledge and understanding of solar energy potential, its geographical variance and the implications for the use of solar technology in the UK and elsewhere;



2 apply, scientific and mathematical methods to analyse new and/or abstract insolation data and, without guidance, can produce bankable statements of the solar energy resource at specific sites, for both solar thermal and solar electricity applications;



3 acquire, and apply scientific and mathematical methods, and knowledge of precedent practice, in the design and project development processes for solar energy projects;

4 acquire extensive knowledge of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal conversion technologies, their limiting factors, implementation methodology and challenges surrounding these technologies for building integrated system will be developed

;

5 understanding engineering components, materials and processes such that, by working autonomously, they can select and rate solar technologies to match the demands of particular user profiles, and select balance-of-plant items that maximise the solar energy harvested under cost constraints;



6 appreciate the life cycle carbon and energy balance for solar technologies and an understanding of the contribution solar technologies can make to addressing climate change;



7 will enable to design and deploy solar energy technology for wide range of applications

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:



8 analyse new and/or abstract data and situations scientifically, without guidance, using the range of techniques covered in the syllabus plan;



9 transform  with minimum guidance abstract data and concepts towards a given purpose and can produce designs that are potentially innovative;



10 make valid, non-trivial, observations on the operational performance and the technical and commercial risk of renewable energy projects with confidence and minimum supervision or guidance;


11 critically review observations of the condition and performance of renewable energy developments including commenting on the reliability of equipment, and validity and significance of data and methods;



12 investigate contradictory information in such data or methods and identify reasons for contradictions, and identify possible measures to improve this situation;


13 choose an appropriate observation or design method from the complete repertoire of observation and design methods covered within the syllabus plan and are confident in evaluating own and others performance in doing so.



Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and  Knowledge:



14 autonomy in planning and managing resources that support the syllabus plan and can reflect on the efficiency of use of these resources;



15 conduct and present / report calculations, to a deadline, with awareness of professional codes of conduct and can incorporate an ethical dimension and/or exercise personal judgement into/on their work;


16 recognise differing roles within a team and the ability to assume many of these roles (including, possibly, leadership) depending on circumstances.


 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Introduction to the potential solar resource:


- understanding of the geographical variance of solar radiation and the factors that influence it;



- assessing potential for exploitation of solar energy;



- resource measurement and characterisation (laboratory experiment);



- direct and diffuse solar radiation (laboratory experiment);



- computation of sunpath diagrams (computer workshop).

 

Active solar thermal systems:



- nature of applications, multiple uses of technology;



- flat plate collectors;



- evacuated tube collectors;



- system design and integration;



- installation;



- commissioning procedures;



- performance;



- fit of supply to demand accounting for variations in availability of solar resource;



- introduction to solar thermal for power generation;


- parabolic dish / stirling engine systems;


- heliostat systems;


- trough concentrators.





 

Photovoltaic (PV) systems:



- introduction to semi-conductor physics;



- historical development of PV technology;



- manufacturing of Silicon and thin film PV technologies;



- operational characteristics for multiple PV technologies: this will include Silicon based PV and non-Silicon based PV tehcnologies

- technological details of Si solar cells, modules, and solar arrays

, performance and characterisation of various PV technologies;



- consideration of PV technologies to include: amorphous silicon, mono-crystalline silicon, poly-crystalline silicon, cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper-indium-diselenide (CIS);



- understanding physics of solar cell characterisation techniques

: characterisation of solar cells (laboratory experiments)

 and use of PV in large scale solar farm design.


 

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 36 Guided Independent Study 64 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 36 Lectures, tutorials and laboratory experiments
Guided independent study 64 Private study
     

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Not applicable      

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 100 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Solar radiation and solar Photovoltaic design coursework 60 2,000 words

3-6, 9, 10, 12-15

Written
Solar thermal coursework 40 1,500 words 1, 2, 7, 8, 11 Written

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-reassessment
Summative assessment Additional assessment As above August Ref/Def period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

As above 1 piece of CW 100%


 

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:                                                         

 

ELE – ENE3009 ELE Page via https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Scheer, H. A Solar Manifesto James & James 2004 1 902916 24 7
Set Boyle, G. Renewable Energy Oxford University Press 2004 199261784
Set Boyle, G. (ed) Renewable Energy (Chapters 2 & 3) Oxford University Press 2004 0199261784
Set Scheer, Herman. The Solar Economy, Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Global Future Earthscan, London 1844070751
Set Lugue, Antonio (ed). Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Chichester, Wiley 2003 0471491969
Set Martin, C.L. Solar Energy Pocket Reference Earthscan 2006 1844073068
Set Sundaram, S., Benson, D., Mallick TK., Solar Photovoltic Technology Production: Potential environmental impacts and implications for governance Elsevier Publications 2016 978-0-12-802953-4
Set Ecofys Planning and Installing Photovoltaic Systems: A Guide for Installers, Architects and Engineers Earthscan, London 2005 1844071316
Set Ecofys Planning and Installing Solar Thermal Systems: A Guide for Installers, Architects and Engineers Earthscan, London 2005 1844071251
Set Messenger, R.A. and Venture, J. Photovoltaic Systems Engineering CRC Press, Boca Raton FL 0849317932
Set Porteous, C. with MacGregor, K., Solar architecture in Cool Climates 190291662X
Set Thomas, R., Photovoltaics and Architecture Spon Press, London 0415231825
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Wednesday 11th January 2017 LAST REVISION DATE Tuesday 12th February 2019
KEY WORDS SEARCH Photovoltaic (PV) systems; solar radiation; solar energy; solar thermal systems.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.