MECHENG 5535
Transcript Abbreviation:
Adv Topics Solar
Course Description:
The broad course objective is to understand the design, manufacturing, operations and financing of solar energy plants, systems utilizing classroom lecture and presentation, computer simulation, and two projects.
Course Levels:
Undergraduate (1000-5000 level)
Graduate (5000-8000 level)
Designation:
Elective
General Education Course:
(N/A)
Cross-Listings:
(N/A)
Credit Hours (Minimum if “Range”selected):
3.00
Max Credit Hours:
3.00
Select if Repeatable:
Off
Maximum Repeatable Credits:
(N/A)
Total Completions Allowed:
(N/A)
Allow Multiple Enrollments in Term:
No
Course Length:
14 weeks (autumn or spring)
Off Campus:
Never
Campus Location:
Columbus
Instruction Modes:
In Person (75-100% campus; 0-24% online)
Prerequisites and Co-requisites:
Prereq: Jr, Sr, or Grad standing in MechEng, AeroEng, NuclrEn, ECE, CSE, CivilEn, or ISE; or permission of instructor.
Electronically Enforced:
No
Exclusions:
(N/A)
Course Goals / Objectives:
Understand physics of solar energy how solar insolation converts through the photo-voltaic process to energy. Understand spherical geometry and how the sun inclination, location, affects the energy output of a power plant.
Obtain overview of the components of a solar energy systems and utility plants. Obtain a comprehensive understanding of the technology and design process. Understand frontiers of new R&D in solar photo-voltaic for buildings and vehicles.
Obtain an overview of global aspects of solar energy, the economics of solar energy and an appreciation of financing aspects.
Check if concurrence sought:
No
Contact Hours:
| Topic | LEC | REC out-of-class | REC in-class | Weekly LAB out-of-class | Weekly LAB in-class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global installations and components, including energy trends, tariffs, types of modules, size of plants, and usage of trackers | 6.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Photo-voltaic Theory and constituents of a solar module and its manufacture, including materials and their characteristics | 6.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Modules used in industrial power plants including new and advanced efficiency modules | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Inverters, DC and AC usage and using solar in conjunction with battery storage, and grid connectivity | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Solar power plant design, including solar resource over the year, geometry, component selection, estimation of power outputs and losses, structures, trackers, and data acquisition SCADA systems | 6.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Use of design software - PVsyst universally used. | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Operational issues and performance. Review of power plant data | 6.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Economics and project financing, including XL-based build of financial model, trade-offs between tariffs and returns, and servicing metrics | 6.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Total | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Grading Plan:
Letter Grade
Course Components:
Lecture
Grade Roster Component:
Lecture
Credit by Exam (EM):
No
Grades Breakdown:
| Aspect | Percent |
|---|---|
| Midterm | 20% |
| Final | 35% |
| Quiz | 15% |
| Project work | 30% |
Representative Textbooks and Other Course Materials:
| Title | Author | Year |
|---|---|---|
| No Textbooks and Other Course Materials Entered. | ||
ABET-CAC Criterion 3 Outcomes:
(N/A)
ABET-ETAC Criterion 3 Outcomes:
(N/A)
ABET-EAC Criterion 3 Outcomes:
| Significant contribution (7+ hours) | 1 | an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics |
| Significant contribution (7+ hours) | 2 | an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors |
| Substantial contribution (3-6 hours) | 3 | an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences - pre-2019 EAC SLO (g) |
| Substantial contribution (3-6 hours) | 4 | an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts |
| Significant contribution (7+ hours) | 5 | an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives |
| Significant contribution (7+ hours) | 6 | an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions |
Embedded Literacies Info: