Solar Energy and Electrical System Design from Coursera

This course supplies learners with the insights necessary for properly planning, and therefore successfully installing, a photovoltaic (PV) system per design specifications. It directs learners through the important steps of initial site inspection and evaluating appropriate locations for PV systems, and features unique elements of residential, small, industrial and utility-scale solar applications. The course probes key design concerns – including load, efficiency, and mechanical and electrical design – as well as aesthetics and tools for planning. Learners experiment with calculations needed to design a PV system, exercising newly gained knowledge about site selection, layout, code compliance, system components, and wire sizing.

This course is targeted for engineers who have interest in entering the solar power sectors. It is also appropriate for HVAC installers, architects and building code inspectors. Learners should have a basic grasp of electrical engineering, physics and mathematical concepts. Those who are unfamiliar with how PV works, the elements of a PV system, and/or solar power ROI should take the first course of the specialization, Solar Energy Systems Overview.

Material includes online lectures, videos, demos, hands-on exercises, project work, readings and discussions. This is the second course in the Solar PV for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors specialization. To learn more about the specialization, check out a video overview at https://youtu.be/XjkKzbXqA6s.

What's inside

Syllabus

PV Design Basics

Learners will explore site inspection considerations, shade calculations, roof assessments, solar panel location and spacing, floodplains, power line and battery locations, circuit boxes, pros and cons of rooftop and ground-mounted systems, and considerations related to commercial and utility scale solar applications.

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Teaches students how to design, plan, and install photovoltaic (PV) systems

Provides a step-by-step guide to the PV system design process

Covers various types of PV system applications, including residential, small, industrial, and utility scale

Involves hands-on exercises and project work to reinforce learning

Requires a basic understanding of electrical engineering, physics, and mathematical concepts

Reviews summary

Practical pv system design & calculations

According to students, this course offers highly practical insights and a strong foundation in PV system design, making it particularly valuable for professionals. Learners frequently commend the hands-on system design project and detailed explanations of wire sizing, load calculations, and code compliance. While it provides immense value for engineers, architects, and code inspectors, some learners with only a basic electrical background found the pace of electrical calculations challenging, suggesting a need for solid prerequisites. Overall, it's considered an essential course for applying theory to real-world solar applications.

Knowledgeable instructor provides clear explanations.

"The instructor's expertise shines through."

"The clarity of explanations for complex electrical concepts was a pleasant surprise."

"The instructor is knowledgeable. A minor point is that some explanations could be more intuitive."

Covers essential electrical and mechanical design elements in detail.

"I particularly appreciated the detailed explanations on wire sizing and load calculations."

"The emphasis on code compliance, proper sizing, and safety standards was exactly what I needed."

"The sections on mechanical design and load considerations were very informative."

Reinforces learning through a demanding yet rewarding project.

"The system design project truly helped solidify my understanding and apply theory to practice."

"The hands-on exercises were key to reinforcing the concepts."

"The practical application of PV design principles was spot on. The project is demanding but very rewarding."

Highly practical, directly applicable to real-world solar design.

"The material covered was incredibly practical and directly applicable to designing PV systems."

"I found the course highly relevant to my work as an HVAC installer looking to expand into solar."

"As an architect, this course gave me the specific knowledge I needed for integrating solar into building plans, especially concerning structural and aesthetic considerations."

Some older video examples and isolated reports of calculation errors.

"My main feedback would be to update some of the older video examples, as technology has moved on slightly."

"I found errors in a couple of the practice calculations. This made it difficult to trust the rest of the material."

"I felt some parts, especially the calculations, could be explained more clearly."

Requires a strong electrical background; calculations can be fast-paced.

"It assumes a strong prior knowledge of electrical engineering, which made it challenging for me even with a physics background."

"The electrical calculations were a bit fast-paced for me, but the demos were helpful."

"I struggled with the pace and the prerequisites... the jump into complex calculations felt too sudden."

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 Energy and Electrical System Design with these activities:

Organize Course Materials and Notes

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Stay organized and improve your ability to recall information by systematically compiling and reviewing course material.

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Create a logical system for organizing notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Review and summarize key concepts from each lecture or lesson.
Identify areas where you need additional clarification or support.

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Career center

Learners who complete Solar Energy and Electrical System Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Solar Engineer

Solar Engineers analyze and interpret incoming solar radiation to identify the best locations for photovoltaic systems. This course can help equip learners with the knowledge and skills required to design and install solar systems for residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications. It covers topics such as site inspection, evaluating appropriate locations for PV systems, and design concerns including load, efficiency, and mechanical and electrical design.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers play a critical role in designing, installing, and maintaining photovoltaic systems. This course can provide learners with the fundamentals of electrical system design, including system sizing, calculations, and wire sizing, which are essential for ensuring the safety and efficiency of solar energy systems.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and completion of solar energy projects. This course can help learners develop the skills needed to manage solar projects effectively. It provides insights into site inspection, layout planning, code compliance, and system components, which are crucial for successful project execution.

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Solar Installer

Solar Installers are responsible for installing and maintaining solar energy systems. This course can provide learners with the knowledge and skills needed to design and install solar systems according to project specifications. It covers topics such as site inspection, system layout, code compliance, and electrical system design.

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Energy Auditor

Energy Auditors assess the energy consumption of buildings and recommend ways to improve energy efficiency. This course can help learners gain the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate the energy performance of buildings and identify opportunities for solar energy integration.

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Building Inspector

Building Inspectors ensure that buildings comply with building codes and regulations. This course can help learners develop the skills needed to inspect solar energy systems for code compliance. It covers topics such as site inspection, system layout, and electrical system design.

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Architect

Architects design and oversee the construction of buildings. This course can help learners gain the knowledge and skills needed to incorporate solar energy systems into building designs. It covers topics such as site inspection, evaluating appropriate locations for PV systems, and aesthetics considerations for solar installations.

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Construction Manager

Construction Managers plan and oversee the construction of buildings and other structures. This course can help learners develop the skills needed to manage the construction of solar energy systems. It covers topics such as site inspection, system layout, and project management.

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Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants provide advice and guidance on environmental issues, including the use of renewable energy sources. This course can help learners gain the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate the environmental impact of solar energy systems and make recommendations for sustainable solutions.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct studies and experiments to explore new technologies and applications in the field of solar energy. This course can provide learners with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the development of innovative solar energy solutions.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students at all levels, including those who are interested in pursuing careers in the solar energy industry. This course can help learners gain the knowledge and skills needed to teach students about solar energy and inspire them to become future leaders in the field.

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Sales Representative

Sales Representatives sell products and services, including solar energy systems. This course can provide learners with the knowledge and skills needed to understand the benefits and features of solar energy systems and effectively communicate them to potential customers.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and implement marketing campaigns to promote products and services, including solar energy systems. This course can provide learners with the knowledge and skills needed to understand the target market for solar energy systems and develop effective marketing strategies to reach them.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts evaluate the financial performance of businesses and make recommendations for investment. This course can provide learners with the knowledge and skills needed to analyze the financial viability of solar energy projects and make recommendations for investors.

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Lawyer

Lawyers provide legal advice and representation to clients, including those involved in the solar energy industry. This course can provide learners with the knowledge and skills needed to understand the legal aspects of solar energy projects and provide legal advice to clients.

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