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Syllabus
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Learning Goals
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10
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Topic:
Subject |
Incoming Solar Energy
By the end of this module, you will be able to: |
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a.
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Radiation fundamentals
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Describe the solar radiation spectrum, energy, flux, and irradiance, and calculate their values.
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b.
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Variations in total solar irradiance
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Describe the effects of solar activity, the earth’s orbit, and seasonal variability on solar irradiance.
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c.
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Daily cycle of local solar elevation angle
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List the variables that define the position of the sun for any time and location, and calculate this and the angle of incidence relative to a solar panel.
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d.
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Atmospheric attenuation
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Describe atmospheric scattering, absorption, and reflection, and calculate the diffuse radiation on a tilted solar panel under different sky conditions.
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e.
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Local effects, shading from obstacles
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Describe the effects of shading and soiling on the efficiency of a solar panel, and calculate the optimal distance between solar panels to minimize shading.
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f.
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Radiation sensors
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List three or more common solar radiation sensors and describe the physical principle behind how each instrument measures radiation. |
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11
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Topic:
Subject |
Solar Power Generation
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
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a.
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Photovoltaic solar-panel types & efficiencies
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Describe the PV effect and the components of a PV system, including different types of PV module, and calculate the maximum power output of a PV module.
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b.
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Photovoltaic solar-panel performance
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Describe the IV curve and power rating, explain how different variables affect power performance, and calculate the temperature of a PV module.
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c.
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Solar collectors & concentrators
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List at least three types of solar collectors and explain how each of them works, and list the four types of CSP plants and the technology used by each to generate heat or electricity.
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d.
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Utility-scale components
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List three major components of a utility-scale system and describe their different types and purposes.
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e.
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Utility-scale dispatchability
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List at least four factors to consider when selecting a utility-scale solar site, list three factors to consider when choosing a PV module/inverter, and calculate the PV module energy yield and total energy output of a multi-module system.
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f.
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Utility-scale storm hazards
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Identify weather hazards that affect solar power and explain these effects and how they might be avoided.
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g.
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Home-scale components and siting issues
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List the four main components of a residential solar PV system, and list and describe the three main factors relating to site selection.
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h.
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Home-scale energy storage and battery technology
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Explain how home-scale PV rechargeable batteries work, and list and describe three types of battery used in home-scale energy storage systems including their advantage/disadvantages.
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i.
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Home-scale energy: incentives and system size
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List and explain at least two incentives for residential PV solar, estimate the payback period for a residential solar installation, and calculate optimal system size.
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D
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12
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Topic:
Subject |
Clouds
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
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a.
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Cloud types
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Identify and classify clouds, and explain what those clouds tell you about local and synoptic-scale weather systems that affect solar, wind, and hydro energy production.
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X
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b.
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Cloud microphysics
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Describe the conditions needed for condensation to occur, discuss the curvature and solute effects on initial droplets, and explain how these droplets grow or shrink according to the Köhler curve.
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c.
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Satellite observations of clouds
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Discuss how satellite imagery can be used to identify cloud types, and differentiate between four specific cloud types using satellite imagery.
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d.
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Clouds vs. insolation 1: cloud cover
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Describe at least five effects of cloud cover on insolation, explain what happens during solar obscuration, and discuss cause of enhanced insolation at the surface.
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e.
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Clouds vs. insolation 2: stratiform clouds
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Discuss the effect of five different types stratiform clouds on surface solar insolation.
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f.
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Clouds vs. insolation 3: cumuliform clouds
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Discuss the effect of three different types of cumuliform clouds on surface solar insolation.
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g.
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Terrain effects on clouds
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Explain the types and causes of orographic clouds, and discuss their relationship to rain shadows and solar energy.
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h.
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Fog
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List five different types of fog, explain the processes that cause them, and calculate depth and onset time of radiation fog.
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i.
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Global distribution maps of cloudiness & solar energy potential
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Use global cloud distribution maps to locate regions of high/low cloudiness and high/low solar-energy potential, and explain what causes these to vary globally.
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j.
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Numerical weather prediction of clouds
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Explain how NWP models forecast cloud darkness, and interpret NWP cloud-darkness forecasts to anticipate changes of insolation associated with clouds at different altitudes.
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13
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Topic:
Subject |
Human Factors
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
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a.
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Air pollution sources & dispersion
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List at least four types of pollutant and their sources and explain how they spread throughout the atmosphere.
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b.
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Effects of pollutants on solar radiation
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Describe how aerosol concentration affects solar irradiance, and list factors that affect transmittance of sunlight through the atmosphere.
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c.
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Wildfire smoke effects
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Describe the causes of wildfires and discuss the dispersion of forest-fire smoke and its impacts.
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d.
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Anthropogenic clouds
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Describe different types of anthropogenic clouds, how they form, and their potential impacts on solar power.
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e.
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Climate-change impacts on solar power
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Under anthropogenic climate change, explain the projected changes to surface insolation and temperature, and describe how these will affect solar production of electricity.
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f.
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Concerns and downsides of solar energy technology
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List and explain four concerns with solar energy and its technologies, and describe ways to combat some of these conerns.
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