About this Course

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This course gives you an introduction to the fundamentals of solar power as it applies to solar panel system installations. You will learn to compare solar energy to other energy resources and explain how solar panels, or photovoltaics (PV for short), convert sunlight to electricity.  You will be able to identify the key components needed in a basic photovoltaic (solar panel) system, such as is found on a house or building, and explain the function of each component in the system. You will also learn how to calculate the electrical demand of a building, how to reduce the overall demand, and then how to design a solar panel system that can meet that annual demand at a given location. You will also compare the different types of pricing models that are being used and key regulatory considerations for grid tied systems (where a house or building is connected to the electrical grid and also generates electricity from solar panels). A capstone design project that entails both the simple audit of a building to determine demand, and a selection of components to design a solar panel system to meet that demand.

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.

Beginner Level

Some calculations are required when planning for solar power, so you'll want to be comfortable with basic math operations (+,-,x,/) and percentages.

Approx. 15 hours to complete

English

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What you will learn

Calculate the energy usage at a location
Design a basic photovoltaic system to meet a specific energy need at a specific location
Describe financial models and trends in the photovoltaic energy field

Skills you will gain

Renewable Energy
Power & energy calculations
Electronic Circuits
Solar Energy
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.

Beginner Level

Some calculations are required when planning for solar power, so you'll want to be comfortable with basic math operations (+,-,x,/) and percentages.

Approx. 15 hours to complete

English

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

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.82/5 (806 Ratings)

Neal Abrams

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating96%(11,900 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

4 hours to complete

Introduction to solar power systems

Welcome! This first module will give you an introduction to the various forms of energy available to us on the Earth and how solar power fits into the overall mix. It will also introduce you to the various parts that go into that solar panel system you see on a house or other building, both the obvious parts and the less obvious pieces. Lastly, you'll learn how to calculate the efficiency of a solar panel as it takes in light energy from the sun and converts it to electricity.

4 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 48 min), 2 readings, 5 quizzes

10 videos

Welcome to Solar Energy Basics2mPrimary energy sources3mTransformation of Energy3mSolar energy4mPhotovoltaic cells and modules3mSilicon-based Photovoltaics4mOther photovoltaic materials5mCalculating Module Conversion Efficiency9mOther PV system electrical components6mPV System Mechanical Components3m

2 readings

Improvements in solar cell efficiency over time15mA note on calculations work in the quizzes5m

5 practice exercises

Major sources of energy30mSolar cell basics30mCalculating efficiency <MATH>16mElectrical and Mechanical Components30mSolar power systems <MATH>36m

Week2

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Determining energy needs and sizing a PV system

Before you design a PV system for a home or commercial building, you need to know how much energy is being used at that location. That energy need helps you determine the size requirements of a PV system to meet that energy need. You also need to know how much energy can be produced by a PV system, because it varies based on the amount of sunlight available. In this week's module you will learn how to differentiate and calculate power and energy for both energy consuming appliances and energy producing photovoltaics, and then apply those concepts and calculations to assessing energy needs and energy production potential at a site.

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 33 min), 2 readings, 4 quizzes

6 videos

Calculating Power and Energy8mMeasuring appliance power and energy4mDetermining appliance energy usage from web resources1mDetermining energy usage from an electric bill4mAdjusting for location and system losses8mCalculating system size6m

2 readings

Using Web Based Energy Tools15mInsolation Maps15m

4 practice exercises

Power and Energy Calculations <MATH>14mDetermining energy consumption <MATH>16mCalculating System Size <MATH>22mEnergy needs and sizing a PV system <MATH>38m

Week3

Week 3

3 hours to complete

The growth of photovoltaic markets

Photovoltaics is a growth industry. In this module you will be learning about the historical development of photovoltaics, the current trends, and some of the future forecasts of the market both globally and with a little bit of a closer look at the United States. Finally, you'll be learning about the segmentation of photovoltaics into different applications beyond just solar panels on a house or a solar farm.

3 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 34 min), 2 readings, 4 quizzes

Week4

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Infrastructure of Photovoltaics

The field of photovoltaics engages many people filling many different roles. In this module you will learn about the different stakeholders and job opportunities in PV. You'll also learn about some different certifications available to those already working in the photovoltaics industry and for those interested in joining the field. You'll also learn about the different financial models associated with PV systems that underpin the implementation of on-grid PV systems. When you finish this module I would recommend at least starting your work on the capstone project rather than waiting until the following week.

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 30 min), 1 reading, 4 quizzes

Reviews

4.8

740 reviews

5 stars
81.39%
4 stars
16.02%
3 stars
1.62%
2 stars
0.40%
1 star
0.54%

TOP REVIEWS FROM SOLAR ENERGY BASICS

by ANJun 24, 2021

An A+ course for beginners in the field of PV, the course explained all the key points in the most simple and concise way possible. I would definitely recommended this course.

by KKApr 8, 2022

Overall good course. I would have gotten more out of this course if it included a sample spreadsheet with the basic calculations or some sort of tool to help guide the needed calculations.

by LGApr 20, 2020

I am very interested in the solar energy studies .basically I am a electrical engineering student.The coursera gave me a free chance to learn more about solar panel and it's installations.

by AJun 17, 2020

I would like to thank you and your team for this great course, I'm really appreciated, it was very helpful as starting in this field, and I will be the first one who will take all your next courses

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.

Solar Energy Basics