Exploring Renewable Energy Schemes from Coursera

What do you picture when you hear the term “renewable energy?” Do you imagine fields of solar panels, giant windmills, or huge hydroelectric dams? Those are all examples of large-scale, grid-tied systems. In this course, we’ll go much smaller and focus on off-grid, stand-alone systems.

We will explore the key components of photovoltaic, wind, and hydroelectric systems. We will examine photovoltaic, or PV, system components, and the scientific laws essential to understanding how renewable energy systems work. We will discuss wind energy and low-head hydroelectric systems, focusing on small-scale implementations. During our exploration of these systems, we will focus on safety and regulating bodies that guide proper system design. Throughout the course, you will be able to apply what you’re learning by conducting an energy audit to analyze power consumption, identifying essential system components of small-scale systems, building a budget for a small-scale system design, and creating a design for implementing a small-scale system.

What's inside

Syllabus

1: Everything Is Solar

In this module, we’ll get started by getting familiar with the course and our community expectations. Then, we'll explore the solar spectrum, the Stefan Boltzmann Law, and Wien’s Displacement Law. Each plays a significant role in helping us capture as much energy as we can from the sun. We’ll also explore direct beam and diffuse radiation and consider the implications for solar panel orientation.

2: How Do Photovoltaics Work?

In this module, we’ll explore the essential element of any photovoltaic system: the solar cell. We’ll examine all aspects of the solar cell, moving from the single cell to a collection of cells that allow us to harness the sun’s power.

3: The Role of Charge Controllers and Inverters in Photovoltaic Systems

The charge controller is a key element of any simple photovoltaic system. This device helps you avoid over or under charging your battery or battery bank. In this module, we’ll focus on both charge controllers and inverters and their important role in photovoltaic systems.

4: Designing a Photovoltaic System

In this module, we’ll start thinking about how to design a simple photovoltaic system. We’ll examine efficiency and develop strategies for determining the right components to meet our energy needs.

5: Wind Energy: It’s Solar!

Humans have been harnessing the wind’s power for centuries. We’ve used it to help us sail ships, pump water, and grind gain. In modern times, we’re using wind energy to power our homes. The state of California, a pioneer in wind energy utilization, produces energy from its wind turbine farms in excess of 20 terawatts annually. That’s enough energy to power 3 million households.

6: Exploring Hydroelectric Energy

In this module, we’ll explore the ways water can generate electricity and discuss the components of low-head hydroelectric systems.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a strong overview of off-grid, stand-alone renewable energy systems for students exploring alternative energy sources

Emphasizes safety and regulatory compliance, ensuring students have the knowledge to design and implement systems responsibly

Offers hands-on learning opportunities through energy audits, component identification, budgeting, and system design exercises

Introduces a broad range of renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, and hydroelectric systems, providing a comprehensive understanding of their applications

Covers the scientific principles underlying renewable energy systems, enabling students to develop a deeper understanding of their operation

Instructor Jorge Santiago-Aviles has extensive experience in the field of renewable energy, bringing valuable insights to the course

Reviews summary

Renewable energy exploration for enthusiasts

Learners say this course is a largely positive exploration of renewable energy schemes, especially for beginners. They emphasize that the course is well-paced, informative, and practical, providing a solid foundation for understanding renewable energy, including solar, wind, and hydro energy. Learners appreciate the engaging and knowledgeable instructor, Dr. Jorge Santiago-Aviles.

Learners highly regard the instructor's knowledge and teaching style.

"Dr. Jorge is an amazing course instructor."

"The teacher emphasizes the key topics and gives time to understand them."

"Professor Santiago does a really good job of connecting the course material always to developing a real system."

Many learners enjoyed this course.

"This is a great course indeed..."

"It was really a very a great experience..."

"This course is very interesting and exciting."

"Its first online course & learned lots of new things related to renewable schemes, specially solar ."

"It was simply and logically explained and this made it simple and enjoyable for me."

While some learners appreciate the beginner-friendly approach, others find the course too basic.

"It may be a bit too short and general for me being a mechanical engineering student..."

"This was a nice high-level survey of some renewable energy options but I felt it lacked the depth required to put together a good system off-grid..."

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 Exploring Renewable Energy Schemes with these activities:

Watch the Zero to Mastery Course on Solar Energy

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the science and design of photovoltaic systems.

Browse courses on Solar Energy

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Create an account on Zero to Mastery
Enroll in the Solar Energy course
Watch the video lessons and complete the exercises

Solve Solar Energy System Design Problems

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Develops the skills needed to design and optimize solar energy systems.

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Find practice problems online or in textbooks
Solve the problems using the concepts learned in the course
Check your answers and learn from your mistakes

Volunteer with a Solar Energy Non-profit

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Gains practical experience and contributes to the promotion of solar energy.

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Find a solar energy non-profit organization
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Participate in volunteer activities such as installing solar panels or educating the community

One other activity

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all four activities

Mentor Students Interested in Solar Energy

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Strengthens own understanding of solar energy concepts and supports the next generation of renewable energy professionals.

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Join a mentoring program or platform
Connect with students interested in solar energy
Provide guidance and support on solar energy projects and career development

Career center

Learners who complete Exploring Renewable Energy Schemes will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Solar Panel Installer

Solar Panel Installers install and maintain solar panels on homes and businesses. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Solar Panel Installer by teaching you the basics of photovoltaic systems, including how to design and install solar panels. You will also learn about the safety regulations that apply to solar panel installations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Solar Panel Installer

Wind Turbine Technician

Wind Turbine Technicians install, maintain, and repair wind turbines. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Wind Turbine Technician by teaching you the basics of wind energy, including how to design and install wind turbines. You will also learn about the safety regulations that apply to wind turbine installations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wind Turbine Technician

Hydroelectric Power Plant Operator

Hydroelectric Power Plant Operators operate and maintain hydroelectric power plants. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Hydroelectric Power Plant Operator by teaching you the basics of hydroelectric energy, including how to design and operate hydroelectric power plants. You will also learn about the safety regulations that apply to hydroelectric power plant operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hydroelectric Power Plant Operator

Renewable Energy Project Manager

Renewable Energy Project Managers oversee the development and construction of renewable energy projects. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Renewable Energy Project Manager by teaching you the basics of renewable energy, including how to design and manage renewable energy projects. You will also learn about the safety regulations that apply to renewable energy projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Project Manager

Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants help businesses and organizations comply with environmental regulations. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Environmental Consultant by teaching you the basics of renewable energy, including how to assess the environmental impact of renewable energy projects.

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Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers help organizations reduce their environmental impact. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Sustainability Manager by teaching you the basics of renewable energy, including how to develop and implement sustainability plans.

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Energy Auditor

Energy Auditors assess the energy efficiency of buildings and homes. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Energy Auditor by teaching you the basics of renewable energy, including how to assess the energy efficiency of buildings and homes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Auditor

Renewable Energy Researcher

Renewable Energy Researchers develop new renewable energy technologies. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Renewable Energy Researcher by teaching you the basics of renewable energy, including how to design and test new renewable energy technologies.

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Solar Energy Engineer

Solar Energy Engineers design and develop solar energy systems. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Solar Energy Engineer by teaching you the basics of photovoltaic systems, including how to design and install solar panels.

See salaries and explore the career path for Solar Energy Engineer

Wind Energy Engineer

Wind Energy Engineers design and develop wind energy systems. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Wind Energy Engineer by teaching you the basics of wind energy, including how to design and install wind turbines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wind Energy Engineer

Hydroelectric Engineer

Hydroelectric Engineers design and develop hydroelectric power plants. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Hydroelectric Engineer by teaching you the basics of hydroelectric energy, including how to design and operate hydroelectric power plants.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hydroelectric Engineer

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as an Environmental Engineer by providing a foundation in renewable energy, which is an important part of environmental sustainability.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design and develop electrical systems. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as an Electrical Engineer by providing a foundation in renewable energy, which is an important part of electrical engineering.

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Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design and develop mechanical systems. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Mechanical Engineer by providing a foundation in renewable energy, which is an important part of mechanical engineering.

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Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design and develop civil infrastructure. This course may be useful for those interested in a career as a Civil Engineer by providing a foundation in renewable energy, which is an important part of civil engineering.

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