Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design from Udemy

This is the first part of the solar photovoltaic systems design course series.

You will understand the fundamentals of how the photovoltaic system work, its design, components, and selection

We start with the meaning of PV energy, the difference between dc power and ac power, the difference between power and energy then the advantages, disadvantages, and challenges of solar PV system

How to estimate the energy requirements for a client

How to calculate the electricity bill

Understanding the difference between different PV systems

How solar cells generate electricity

Understanding the main parameters of solar cell

Understanding the difference between SPV technologies

Understanding the factors that affect generating electricity from SPV module

Procedure to design the number of cells in the PV module

Designing wattage of PV module

Effect of conversion efficiency, amount of light, angle of light falling of SPV module

How to measure solar photovoltaic module parameters

Bypass diode, blocking diode, and diode rating

The difference between PV string and array

Estimating the required number of modules to be connected in series and parallel

Connecting modules in series-parallel combinations

Mismatch in voltage in series modules

Mismatch in the current in series modules

Estimating the power generated by parallel PV modules

Understanding the parameters of the battery

battery depth of discharge

battery state of charge

how temperature affects battery capacity

battery c rating

battery life cycle

battery self-discharge

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand how photovoltaic system work
Estimate daily, monthly, and annual energy consumption for client
Estimate number of cells in photovoltaic module
Estimate number of required strings in photovoltaic system

Understand how battery work
Understand the difference between photovoltaic systems
Understand the main parameters of photovoltaic module

Understand how photovoltaic system work
Estimate daily, monthly, and annual energy consumption for client
Estimate number of cells in photovoltaic module
Estimate number of required strings in photovoltaic system
Understand how battery work
Understand the difference between photovoltaic systems
Understand the main parameters of photovoltaic module

Syllabus

1. Introduction to Energy

Introduction

Energy

Forms of Energy

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a comprehensive introduction to solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, covering fundamental concepts and practical design considerations

Explores the differences between standalone, grid-connected, and hybrid PV systems, which is essential for selecting the appropriate system for various applications

Includes numerous examples for calculating solar cell parameters, which helps learners apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios

Covers battery parameters like depth of discharge, state of charge, C rating, and lifecycle, which are crucial for designing effective energy storage solutions

Requires learners to understand unit conversion factors, which may pose a challenge for those without a strong background in physics or engineering

Focuses on designing PV modules and arrays, including calculating the number of cells and modules needed, which is a core skill for system design

Reviews summary

Fundamentals of solar pv system design

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in the basics of solar photovoltaic systems. Students find it covers essential concepts like PV cell parameters, energy calculations, and module arrays. Many feel the explanations are clear and concise, making complex topics accessible. Some note that the course is highly theoretical, focusing heavily on calculations and potentially lacking sufficient practical application or hands-on examples. While a good starting point, those seeking in-depth design tools or advanced topics may find it too basic and require supplementary resources.

Heavy emphasis on energy and system sizing math.

"I appreciate the focus on calculations like energy requirements and module sizing; it's very practical."

"The course goes through many examples demonstrating how to calculate system parameters, which was helpful."

"Be prepared for a lot of math, but it's necessary for understanding the design process."

"I found the calculation examples useful for grasping the quantitative aspects of PV design."

Best suited for those new to the topic.

"As someone completely new to solar, this course was perfect for introducing the basics."

"If you have no prior knowledge of PV, this course is an excellent starting point."

"It's designed well for beginners, breaking down complex ideas into manageable parts."

"Learners with some background in electrical engineering or physics might find it too elementary."

Provides a good introduction to PV basics.

"This course gave me a solid foundation in understanding how solar PV systems work from the ground up."

"I found the explanations of solar cells, modules, and arrays to be clear and easy to follow."

"It's a great starting point for anyone new to the field of solar energy and system design."

"The course covers fundamental concepts thoroughly, which is exactly what I needed."

Basic for experienced learners.

"For someone with existing knowledge, this course might feel a bit too basic and repetitive."

"I expected more depth on topics like grid-tied systems, battery management, or regulatory standards."

"It covers the fundamentals well, but doesn't delve into more advanced design considerations."

"Consider this an introductory course; you will need further study for professional-level design work."

Could use more real-world application.

"The course is very theoretical; I wish there were more practical examples or case studies."

"While the calculations are covered, I didn't get much sense of how to apply this in a real-world design project."

"It provides the 'what' and 'how to calculate', but less of the 'how to actually design' or 'what tools to use'."

"I was hoping for more hands-on aspects or simulations, but it focuses purely on the principles and math."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design with these activities:

Review Basic Electrical Concepts

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Solidify your understanding of fundamental electrical concepts to better grasp how PV systems function.

Browse courses on Ohm's Law

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Review online resources covering basic circuits.
Solve practice problems related to Ohm's Law.
Watch videos explaining series and parallel circuits.

Delve into 'Understanding Photovoltaics' by Luis Castañer and Ignasi Serra

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Gain a deeper understanding of the underlying physics of photovoltaics.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read chapters on semiconductor physics and solar cell operation.
Study the mathematical models of solar cell behavior.
Relate the book's content to the course's practical applications.

Review 'Solar Energy Engineering' by Soteris Kalogirou

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Gain a deeper understanding of solar energy engineering principles to enhance your PV system design skills.

View Solar Energy Engineering: Processes and Systems on Amazon

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Read chapters related to PV system components and design.
Work through example problems in the book.
Compare the book's approach to the course material.

Four other activities

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Follow Online Tutorials on PV System Installation

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Learn practical installation techniques by following online tutorials.

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Search for reputable online tutorials on PV system installation.
Watch videos demonstrating proper wiring and mounting techniques.
Take notes on key safety precautions.

PV System Sizing Calculations

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Reinforce your understanding of PV system sizing through repetitive calculations.

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Find online resources with PV sizing problems.
Practice calculating the number of modules and battery capacity.
Check your answers against provided solutions.

Design a Small-Scale Off-Grid PV System

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Apply your knowledge by designing a complete PV system for a specific application.

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Define the energy needs of a small cabin or shed.
Calculate the required PV module wattage and battery capacity.
Select appropriate components and create a system diagram.
Estimate the system cost and payback period.

Create a Presentation on PV Technologies

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Deepen your understanding by researching and presenting on different PV technologies.

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Research different PV cell technologies (e.g., crystalline silicon, thin film).
Compare their advantages, disadvantages, and applications.
Create a presentation summarizing your findings.
Present your findings to peers or colleagues.

Career center

Learners who complete Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Solar Energy Systems Designer

A solar energy systems designer plans and designs photovoltaic systems for residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects. This role involves evaluating energy needs, selecting appropriate PV components, and creating detailed system designs that maximize energy production while adhering to safety and regulatory standards. This 'Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design' course helps build the foundation for understanding how photovoltaic systems work, select components, and estimate energy requirements. The course provides a strong basis for determining the required number of modules and designing module wattage, essential skills for any solar energy systems designer.

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Solar Technician

Solar technicians install, maintain, and repair solar photovoltaic systems. The 'Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design' course can help any prospective solar technician, because it provides the fundamentals of how photovoltaic systems work, the parameters of the solar cells, and the parameters of the solar photovoltaic modules. The course is helpful because it presents the material needed to understand how to troubleshoot any issue and how to repair a solar photovoltaic array.

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Renewable Energy Consultant

A renewable energy consultant advises clients on the feasibility, design, and implementation of renewable energy projects, including solar photovoltaic systems. This involves assessing energy needs, evaluating potential sites, and recommending optimal system configurations. This 'Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design' course offers valuable insights into understanding photovoltaic systems, evaluating energy requirements, and understanding standalone, grid connected, and hybrid systems. The course content is beneficial for those who want to excel as renewable energy consultants, because this knowledge can be applied to make informed recommendations on solar energy solutions for clients.

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Energy Storage Specialist

An energy storage specialist is an expert in battery systems, and they determine how to use them in conjunction with solar photovoltaic arrays. The 'Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design' course can help those interested in becoming energy storage specialists, especially because the course goes into the parameters of batteries, battery depth of discharge, battery state of charge, how temperature affects battery capacity, battery C rating, battery life cycle, and battery self discharge. This course helps build a strong background in battery technology, so that the specialist can combine them with photovoltaic arrays.

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Applications Engineer

Applications engineers work closely with the sales team to design and configure solar photovoltaic systems that meet the specific needs of clients. The 'Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design' course can help any engineer be effective and successful, as the course goes into estimating energy requirements, estimating the number of cells in a photovoltaic module, and estimating the number of required solar strings in the photovoltaic array. The course covers all the material needed to design a solar photovoltaic system.

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Photovoltaic Systems Installer

A photovoltaic systems installer is responsible for the physical installation of solar panels and related equipment on residential, commercial, and industrial properties. This includes mounting panels, wiring electrical components, and ensuring the system operates efficiently. This 'Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design' course may be useful for those interested in becoming photovoltaic systems installers, because it helps them understand the main parameters of solar cells and photovoltaic modules. The course's modules on bypass diodes, blocking diodes, and diode ratings also give critical insight into the safe and effective installation of solar energy systems.

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Solar Sales Representative

A solar sales representative sells solar photovoltaic systems to residential or commercial customers. This involves explaining the benefits of solar energy, assessing customer energy needs, and designing systems to meet those needs. This 'Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design' course can help solar sales representatives to thoroughly understand how photovoltaic systems work, estimate client energy consumption, and estimate the number of cells needed in a photovoltaic module. Sales representatives can use this information to credibly pitch to customers how solar energy can address their requirements.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical engineers design, develop, and test electrical equipment and systems, and they may specialize in renewable energy technologies like solar power. This can include designing new photovoltaic components or optimizing the performance of existing solar installations. The 'Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design' course provides a strong foundation in understanding the fundamentals of photovoltaic systems, including how solar cells generate electricity and the factors that affect their performance. This course may be useful for electrical engineers seeking to specialize in solar energy, because it covers the design and optimization of photovoltaic modules and arrays.

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Energy Auditor

Energy auditors assess the energy efficiency of buildings and recommend improvements to reduce energy consumption. As part of their work, they may evaluate the feasibility of installing solar photovoltaic systems to offset electricity use. This 'Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design' course may be useful for energy auditors who want to provide informed recommendations on solar energy solutions to their clients. The course covers essential topics such as estimating energy requirements, understanding the parameters of photovoltaic modules, and knowing the difference between various photovoltaic systems.

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Sustainability Manager

A sustainability manager develops and implements strategies to reduce an organization's environmental impact, including promoting the use of renewable energy sources like solar power. This involves assessing energy consumption, identifying opportunities for improvement, and managing the installation of solar photovoltaic systems. The 'Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design' course may be useful for sustainability managers who want to oversee or promote solar energy projects within their organizations. The course provides an understanding of how photovoltaic systems work and covers key topics such as estimating energy requirements and understanding the difference between different PV systems.

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Project Manager

A project manager in the solar energy sector oversees the planning, execution, and completion of solar photovoltaic projects. This includes managing budgets, coordinating teams, and ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. The 'Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design' course may be useful for project managers who want to manage solar energy installations. The course can give project managers exposure to the fundamentals of how photovoltaic systems work, how to calculate electricity bills, and how to understand the difference between different photovoltaic systems.

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Research and Development Scientist

Research and development scientists look for new ways to improve solar cell efficiency. Those in research and development need a strong understanding of the basics of solar photovoltaic systems, and this course helps build a foundation. The 'Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design' course introduces the participant to the fundamentals of how photovoltaic systems work, including how solar cells generate electricity, the parameters of solar cells, and factors affecting electricity generated by a solar cell. An advanced degree, such as a PhD, is typically required.

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Grid Integration Engineer

A grid integration engineer plays a vital role by ensuring that solar photovoltaic systems can connect to the electrical grid safely and reliably. This requires a deep understanding of grid standards, power electronics, and system protection. The 'Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design' course can help build knowledge by teaching the difference between DC and AC power, the difference between standalone photovoltaic systems, grid connected photovoltaic systems, and hybrid photovoltaic systems. This information is useful for any grid integration engineer.

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Power Systems Analyst

Power systems analysts conduct detailed studies to determine the performance and reliability of power grids, including those with significant solar photovoltaic generation. The 'Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design' course may be useful for power system analysts, because it provides the fundamentals of how photovoltaic systems work, and it covers the parameters of solar cells, the parameters of PV modules, and the parameters of batteries. This course helps analysts understand how to model solar photovoltaic generation and its effects on the grid.

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Power Electronics Engineer

Power electronics engineers design and develop the electronic circuits and components that are used in solar photovoltaic systems. This includes inverters, converters, and other power conditioning equipment. The 'Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design' course may be helpful for power electronics engineers, because it discusses the difference between DC power and AC power, and it covers the parameters of solar cells and solar photovoltaic modules. The course gives engineers context for their circuit and component design work.

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Solar Photovoltaics Systems Design

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Fundamentals of solar pv system design

Activities

Career center

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