WM9SD-15 Solar Energy Engineering
Introductory description
This module provides students with sufficient knowledge, understanding and analytical skills to underpin their professional development as they progress towards becoming an expert engineer in one of the current core technology disciplines of renewable energy, specifically solar energy engineering. This module will typically focus on the current technologies available but will also explore emerging technologies under development.
Module aims
The principal aims of this module are:
Provide students with the analytical skill to understand the principles of solar energy and the technical concepts of solar products to enable the application of technology into design, installation and operation of solar energy facilities.
Ensure students have the technical ability to critically analyse the opportunities and threats associated with the solar energy portfolio both on a micro and macro scale
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Solar radiation characteristics and calculations
Photovoltaic materials, cells and panel design and efficiencies
Panel and array configurations and locations
Solar farm operations and maintenance
Principles of solar radiations
Sun-earth geometry relations
Concentrating solar thermal systems
Thermodynamics of solar thermal systems
Optics of CSP systems
The photoelectric effect and solar cells
Passive and active solar heating and cooling
Thermal and seasonal energy storage systems
Environmental and social concerns associated with solar energy systems.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Critically analyse solar energy systems and technologies using the principles of solar energy
- Apply relevant solar energy technologies to design and implement solar energy solutions for specific scenarios in both micro and macro scales
- Critically evaluate the performance of solar energy systems using theory and relevant data
- Assess the sustainability of utilising solar energy for heat and energy for both direct use and integration into the relevant grid system.
- Critically analyse the emerging solar technologies that are under development and at the forefront of the solar energy engineering sector.
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Specific reading list for the module
Subject specific skills
Interpretation of energy engineering data
Energy performance calculations
Undertake engineering activities associated with solar energy systems, safely and reliability
Renewable energy engineering technology selection
Solar energy technologies performance and efficiency calculations
Solar energy and solar energy farm engineering design
Transferable skills
Evaluation and judgement
Communication
Critical thinking
Decision making
Systems thinking
Problem solving
Presentation of highly complex technical data.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 15 sessions of 1 hour (10%) |
| Tutorials | 15 sessions of 1 hour (10%) |
| Online learning (independent) | 15 sessions of 1 hour (10%) |
| Private study | 45 hours (30%) |
| Assessment | 60 hours (40%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Details of private study and independent learning
Students receive additional readings and workbooks to support their learning in the module. This enables students to build their foundational knowledge or go deeper into the application and evaluation of knowledge presented in the module.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Assessment One - Written report | 70% | 42 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
An individual report addressing all the relevant learning outcomes. The report will explore |
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Reassessment component |
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| Assessment One - Written report | No | ||
|
An individual report addressing all the relevant learning outcomes. The report will explore |
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Assessment component |
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| Emerging Solar Energy Technologies | 30% | 18 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
The presentation includes the design of the main sub-systems in either a grid-connected or stand-alone |
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Reassessment component |
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| Emerging Solar Energy Technologies | No | ||
|
The report includes the design of the main sub-systems in either a grid-connected or stand-alone |
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Feedback on assessment
Students will be provided individual and class feedback and feed-forward on their assessments.
There is currently no information about the courses for which this module is core or optional.