Photovoltaic Systems

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Photovoltaic Systems

Instructors: Rasmus Nielsen

13,997 already enrolled

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

161 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

161 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Photovoltaic Energy Conversion
Modelling of the Solar Resource
Photovoltaic System Design and Energy Yield Simulations
Photovoltaic System Components

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

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Assessments

12 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 5 modules in this course

This course offers you advanced knowledge within the field of photovoltaic system technology. We'll learn about the solar resource and how photovoltaic energy conversion is used to produce electric power. From this fundamental starting point we'll cover the design and fabrication of different solar cell and module technologies, the various photovoltaic system components, how to design a photovoltaic plant and carry out energy yield simulations, essentials in energy economics, O&M and reliability assessment, as well as the role of photovoltaic energy in sustainable energy systems.

This course is unique in that it takes you from the nanoscale physics of a solar cell to the modelling of a utility scale solar farm. The course is made up of 9 sections with an estimated workload of 2-3 hours each. The academic level is targeted at master students at technical universities and engineers from the energy industry. Passing this course offers you a great basis for a career in the field of photovoltaics.

These lectures serve as an introduction to the field of photovoltaics in general, which includes the most basic terminology, an overview of the history of PV as well as the industrial deployment of the technology.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment

These lectures cover the physics of the solar resource as well as various irradiance models to calculate the optimal tilt angle necessary for maximizing PV power production.

What's included

5 videos1 assignment1 plugin

These lectures cover the physics necessary for understanding the working principles of solar cells, as well as an introduction to electrical characterization and modelling of photovoltaic devices.

What's included

8 videos3 assignments

8 videosTotal 107 minutes

Formation of Solids and Electronic Band Structures10 minutes
Light Absorption and the Photovoltaic Effect18 minutes
Recombination and Transport of Charge Carriers17 minutes
Doping of Semiconductors and pn-Junctions14 minutes
Working principles of Solar Cells15 minutes
Introduction: The IV-curve11 minutes
The Maximum Power Point8 minutes
The Non-ideal Diode Equation13 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Intrinsic Semiconductors30 minutes
The Working Principle of Solar Cells30 minutes
The IV-curve30 minutes

These lectures cover the principles of cell interconnection and properties of various module components necessary for designing and fabricating photovoltaic modules. Optional content is provided dealing with the environmental variables impacting the performance of PV modules in the field.

What's included

8 videos3 assignments1 plugin

8 videosTotal 71 minutes

Electrical Cell Interconnection8 minutes
Mismatch Losses and Bypass Diodes9 minutes
Module Components10 minutes
Module Fabrication Process12 minutes
Module Fabrication Facilities at DTU Risø9 minutes
Module Design Guidelines and Qualification Tests10 minutes
Cell Cutting7 minutes
Advanced Module Designs8 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Cell Interconnection and Shading30 minutes
Module Components and Fabrication30 minutes
Module Design and Advanced Concepts30 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Module Shading15 minutes

What's included

13 videos4 assignments

13 videosTotal 105 minutes

PV Power Characteristics7 minutes
PV loading techniques7 minutes
Maximum power point tracking9 minutes
Power Converters in PV Applications9 minutes
DC-DC Converters7 minutes
PV Inverters11 minutes
Efficiency of power converters7 minutes
PV inverter types9 minutes
Interfacing PV Systems with the Electric Grid7 minutes
Introduction to Balance of System6 minutes
Electrical Balance of System10 minutes
Mechanical Balance of System13 minutes
End of the Course3 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Extracting Energy from a PV Panel30 minutes
PV Power Conversion (DC-DC)30 minutes
PV Power Conversion (DC-AC)30 minutes
Balance of System (BOS)30 minutes

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(69 ratings)

Rasmus Nielsen

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

1 Course13,997 learners

Sune Thorsteinsson

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

1 Course13,997 learners

Offered by

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

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Reviewed on Aug 24, 2022

Lecturers were clear, quizzes were hard but well prepared. Overall, that was a nice but a bit hard one. Highly recommended.

Reviewed on Dec 14, 2023

one of the best course i have ever done online. Superb, immaculate quality content.

Reviewed on Sep 20, 2022

Highly informative, but still recommend to take beginner course before taking this.

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