About this Course

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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.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Beginner Level

Approx. 14 hours to complete

English

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What you will learn

Identify the essential characteristics and technical requirements of photovoltaic, wind, and low head hydroelectric energy systems.
Integrate scientific and technological principles necessary to assess and implement small-scale renewable energy schemes.
Develop a plan for implementing a small-scale renewable energy scheme.

Skills you will gain

Renewable Energy
Energy Systems
Power and Energy Calculations
Photovoltaic System Design
Energy Audits

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Beginner Level

Approx. 14 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.75/5 (161 Ratings)

Jorge Santiago-Aviles

Associate Professor

Electrical and Systems Engineering

23,078 Learners

1 Course

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating98%(4,091 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

3 hours to complete

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.

3 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 35 min), 10 readings, 2 quizzes

5 videos

Welcome to Exploring Renewable Energy Schemes3mBenefits and Costs of Renewable Energy Schemes3mThe Importance of The Solar Spectrum, the Stefan Boltzmann Law and Wien’s Displacement Law16mThe Roles of Direct Beam Radiation and Diffuse Radiation10mPanel Orientation in the Real World1m

10 readings

Start Here: What You Need to Know10mParticipating in Discussions5mAbout Dr. Santiago5mOptional: Pre-Course Survey5mWhy Is It Important to Study Renewables?10mWhat to Expect in Module 110mRadiation from the Sun: Our Source of Energy10m(Suggested) Examples Using the Stefan Boltzmann Law and the Wien Displacement Law15mThinking about Panel Orientation10m(Suggested) Tips for Finding the Optimum Tilt Angle10m

2 practice exercises

Check Your Knowledge: Solar Spectrum, Stefan Boltzmann Law, and Wien’s Displacement Law5mModule 1 Quiz15m

Week2

Week 2

2 hours to complete

2: How Do Photovoltaics Work?

2 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 43 min), 3 readings, 3 quizzes

5 videos

Overview of a Simple Photovoltaic System6mExploring Photovoltaic Materials and Semiconductor Physics14mA Closer Look at a Photovoltaic Cell6mIncreasing the Power of Solar Cells7mFiguring Out How Much Power Is Delivered7m

3 readings

What to Expect in Module 210m(Suggested) Photovoltaic Solar Cells20m(Suggested) Solar Panel Characteristics: Current, Voltage and Power Curves of a Solar (PV) Panel10m

3 practice exercises

Check Your Knowledge: Photovoltaic Basics5mCheck Your Knowledge: I-V Curve and Maximum Power Point8mModule 2 Quiz15m

Week3

Week 3

2 hours to complete

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

2 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 43 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes

Week4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

4: Designing a Photovoltaic System

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 55 min), 5 readings, 2 quizzes

6 videos

Reviewing the Components9mBalance of System3mFiguring Out What You Need18mDesigning a System11mDesign Example9mUnderstanding Regulations2m

5 readings

What to Expect in Module 410m(Suggested) Stand Alone PV System10m(Suggested) Balance of System Equipment Required for Renewable Energy Systems10m(Suggested) Five Steps to Correctly Size your Own Solar Array20m(Suggested) Planning for Home Renewable Energy Systems15m

2 practice exercises

Check Your Knowledge: System Components8mModule 4 Quiz12m

Reviews

4.7

140 reviews

5 stars
79.17%
4 stars
17.09%
3 stars
2.35%
2 stars
0.58%
1 star
0.78%

TOP REVIEWS FROM EXPLORING RENEWABLE ENERGY SCHEMES

by SRJul 13, 2020

Great course!!! Well presented and organized. You'll end this course feeling confident on designing your own solar system, as well as gaining knowledge in other renewable energy schemes

by FSFeb 6, 2021

Very informative and as I expected, will recommend to all who wants to know and have clear understanding of renewable energy sources.

by MMOct 30, 2020

The course was very useful. As a renewable energy engineer, it has strengthened my knowledge. I have recommended it to my fellows.

by SSMay 1, 2022

Very detailed and informative, easy to follow videos, great you can drop off and back in again without any issue.

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Exploring Renewable Energy Schemes