Introduction to Solar Energy Technologies
This engineering online PDH course will provide information about the basics of three solar energy technologies.
The main solar energy technologies are photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) , and solar systems integration. The fundamentals of PV are given for solar cells, system design, manufacturing, performance and efficiency, soft costs, and solar rooftop potential. CSP is introduced through discussion of linear concentrator, power tower, dish/engine, and thermal storage systems. Solar systems integration is represented through description of solar resilience, distributed energy resources and microgrids, inverters and grid services, storage basics, solar-plus-storage systems, planning operations, cybersecurity, and silicon carbide in solar energy.
The 5 PDH online course is intended for environmental, civil, electrical, mechanical, and industrial engineers seeking to learn about the technology underlying solar energy use.
This PE continuing education course is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Familiarizing with the application of basic principles of solar radiation in selecting location and orientation of PV cells
- Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of common semiconductor materials used in solar cells
- Understanding mounting-structure design
- Learning about PV system manufacturing steps
- Knowing the factors affecting conversion efficiency
- Understanding the major types of CSP systems
- Knowing thermal storage systems
- Analyzing electric power resilience
- Understanding grid services and inverters
- Learning about the importance of energy storage to the use of solar power as a reliable source of energy
- Understanding the importance of bandgap in PV semiconductors
Upon successful completion of the quiz, print your Certificate of Completion instantly. (Note: if you are paying by check or money order, you will be able to print it after we receive your payment.) For your convenience, we will also email it to you. Please note that you can log in to your account at any time to access and print your Certificate of Completion.