COURSE CONTENT

1. Solar radiation. Calculation of solar potential. Software for solar potential prediction and calculation.
2. Solar thermal collector technologies. Optical analysis. Performance of solar thermal collectors.
3. Concentrating solar thermal collectors and composite devices.
4. Solar thermal systems with storage. Thermal loads.
5. Design parameters. Domestic and industrial solar thermal systems.
6. Integrated solar thermal collector/storage devices
7. Photovoltaic system technologies. Photovoltaic performance. Storage and management of electrical power.
8. Design of photovoltaic installations
9. Hybrid photovoltaic/thermal systems and devices for cogeneration of heat and electricity.
10. Simulation of solar system operation. Software, simulation categories
11. Experimental design of solar installations
12. Equipment for measuring appropriate parameters. Electronic devices for measuring, recording and data processing.

Environmental design and evaluation of solar systems. Sustainable development of and rational use of energy produced from the Sun.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Critical Knowledge:

• Basic mechanisms of conversion of solar energy into heat and electricity
• Analysis, prediction and calculation of solar potential – Use of softwares
• Heat transfer mechanisms in solar devices
• Technology of solar thermal devices, systems and devices for heat generation for domestic and industrial applications
• Design and optical analysis of concentrating solar devices
• Understanding the technology of complex concentrated solar power devices for electrical power generation
• Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into electricity
• Sizing of photovoltaic systems for domestic use – field installation
• Technology of hybrid photovoltaic / thermal collectors and devices for heat and electricity cogeneration
• Installation, performance evaluation and efficiency of the thermal and electrical energy produced
• Equipment for the study and evaluation of solar energy systems
• Software for the dynamic simulation of solar energy systems
• Environmental design of solar energy systems

Skills:

• Solar potential calculation.
• Calculation of thermal and/or electrical energy produced.
• Techno-economic study of solar energy installations.
• Economic and environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness of solar energy installations

Abilities:

• Design and sizing of systems for the exploitation of solar energy into heat and electricity

Evaluation and efficiency of solar installations