RSE3141 Solar energy

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

1. 1

   Analyse the physical processes that determine the output of a solar thermal collector.

2. 2

   Describe the design, function and storage capacity of different solar thermal systems and components and assess their suitability for various applications.

3. 3

   Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of daylight and be able to describe the requirements for different applications of solar. Execute shading calculations with sun path diagrams.

4. 4

   Assess the heat balance of a building and quantify energy efficiency through different passive solar energy solutions and analyze their applications in different climates.

5. 5

   Determine the characteristics of solar radiation, before and after the passage of the atmosphere. Describe the different ways to measure solar radiation and understand the limitations with different measurement methods. Quantify the incident radiation on surfaces with different orientations and analyze different radiation models for calculation of the incident radiation.

6. 6

   Design simple stand-alone, as well as grid-connected, solar electricity systems and choose components for optimal system performance; including describing how solar cells are connected into a module, what the losses are and how these can be minimized.

7. 7

   Analyse the financial/economic cost-benefit requirements for solar energy technology and other conditions for large-scale dissemination. Discuss the relative advantages and limitations of various financial/economic key figures for solar energy project.