Solar Energy in Hot Desert Climates

Desert regions are attractive for solar energy, with much sunshine and many opportunities for utility-scale and residential applications. However, their harsh climate creates challenges for photovoltaic (PV) module performance, reliability and energy forecasting.

This program focuses on solar resource assessment and PV solar cell and module design for hot, dusty climates. The program will teach you the essentials on solar radiation and will explore the challenges associated with air quality and meteorology in harsh climates. By using videos, demonstrations, dynamic learning activities and real world data you will learn about the practicalities of PV technology and how best to tailor PV cells and modules for the conditions of the desert.

We recommend that you complete the courses in the suggested order. However, you may enroll in either course based on your experience and interest.

The knowledge gained in this Professional Certificate program will help solar engineers, investors and energy policymakers to understand and mitigate the challenges associated with siting, deploying and operating PV in hot desert climates.

What you'll learn

• Components of solar radiation, solar cells and standard solar spectrum characteristics;
• Monitoring of air quality, meteorology and challenges in harsh climates;
• Energy yield of PV modules and how to predict it under specific environmental conditions;
• PV module reliability, soiling and mitigation strategies;
• Use of techno-economic models of PV technology diffusion to measure economic impact.