Photovoltaic Systems

Photovoltaic Systems

Instructors: Rasmus Nielsen

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13,779 already enrolled

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 videos Total 107 minutes

Formation of Solids and Electronic Band Structures 10 minutes
Light Absorption and the Photovoltaic Effect 18 minutes
Recombination and Transport of Charge Carriers 17 minutes
Doping of Semiconductors and pn-Junctions 14 minutes
Working principles of Solar Cells 15 minutes
Introduction: The IV-curve 11 minutes
The Maximum Power Point 8 minutes
The Non-ideal Diode Equation 13 minutes

3 assignments Total 90 minutes

Intrinsic Semiconductors 30 minutes
The Working Principle of Solar Cells 30 minutes
The IV-curve 30 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 videos Total 71 minutes

Electrical Cell Interconnection 8 minutes
Mismatch Losses and Bypass Diodes 9 minutes
Module Components 10 minutes
Module Fabrication Process 12 minutes
Module Fabrication Facilities at DTU Risø 9 minutes
Module Design Guidelines and Qualification Tests 10 minutes
Cell Cutting 7 minutes
Advanced Module Designs 8 minutes

3 assignments Total 90 minutes

Cell Interconnection and Shading 30 minutes
Module Components and Fabrication 30 minutes
Module Design and Advanced Concepts 30 minutes

1 plugin Total 15 minutes

Module Shading 15 minutes

What's included

13 videos4 assignments

13 videos Total 105 minutes

PV Power Characteristics 7 minutes
PV loading techniques 7 minutes
Maximum power point tracking 9 minutes
Power Converters in PV Applications 9 minutes
DC-DC Converters 7 minutes
PV Inverters 11 minutes
Efficiency of power converters 7 minutes
PV inverter types 9 minutes
Interfacing PV Systems with the Electric Grid 7 minutes
Introduction to Balance of System 6 minutes
Electrical Balance of System 10 minutes
Mechanical Balance of System 13 minutes
End of the Course 3 minutes

4 assignments Total 120 minutes

Extracting Energy from a PV Panel 30 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 Course 13,779 learners

Sune Thorsteinsson

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

1 Course 13,779 learners

Offered by

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

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Reviewed on Dec 14, 2023

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

Reviewed on Aug 9, 2022

Good materials. Let's make the energy transition faster

Reviewed on Oct 15, 2022

One of my greatest MOOC experiences ever. I recommend this 5 weeks course to everyone interested in the subject and not afraid of in-depth material science and electronics.

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