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Course syllabus - Solar Energy

Scope

7.5 credits

Course code

ERA125

Valid from

Autumn semester 2026

Education level

First cycle

Progressive Specialisation

G1F (First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Main area(s)

Energy Engineering

Organisation

Department of Engineering Sciences

Ratified

2021-12-20

Revised

2025-11-03

Literature lists

Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.

    • Ratified date: 2022-10-27
    • Latest update: 2025-05-27

    Referece Literature

    Mertens, Konrad

    Photovoltaics: fundamentals, technology, and practice

    ISBN: 9781119401049

    LIBRIS-ID: v94b7z35shr2hzs3

    URL: Link

    Second edition, Hoboken, NJ, Wiley, xx, 347 pages

    Duffie, John A.; Beckman, William A.

    Solar engineering of thermal processes

    ISBN: 9781118418123

    LIBRIS-ID: 14797769

    URL: Bibliotekets e-bok/Library e-book

    4th ed., Chichester, Wiley, 1 online resource (938 p.)

    Other Materials

    Internal documents on Canvas. The literature available on Canvas covers the needs of the course. The reference books, which are available as e-books are recommended for those who are particularly interested.

Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide knowledge about how the solar energy system works with a focus on solar cell systems, including its various components and including energy storage, how energy yield can be calculated and how the systems should be dimensioned. This means that theoretical models and simulation programs are used to calculate solar radiation and energy yield for different locations and system designs.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

  1. Explain the importance of solar energy in the current situation and in the future
  2. Calculate solar radiation in different geometries and latitudes
  3. Describe the function and state of development of solar cells
  4. Describe the function of the system components in a solar energy system
  5. Dimension a functioning solar energy system
  6. Use simulation software to calculate the performance of solar energy systems
  7. Understand what affects the economy of a solar energy system

Course content

Radiation conditions and conditions for using solar energy in Sweden. The state of development of solar energy. Calculation of radiation to different surfaces. Basic solar cell physics. Solar cell function and construction. Function of other system components such as inverters and energy storage. Analysis of system design of grid-connected systems, such as building applied (BAPV), building integrated (BIPV), solar parks and agrivoltaics (APV). Use of simulation programs for dimensioning and optimization of solar energy systems. Economy for solar energy systems. The course includes laboratory work, study visits and assignments.

Specific requirements

7.5 credits within an engineering programme

Examination

Assignments and study visit (INL1), 2.5 credits, grade Passed (G) or Fail (U) (refers to learning objectives 1-7)
Exam (TEN1), 5 credits, grade 3, 4 or 5 (refers to learning objectives 1-7)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.

Grade

Grading scale: 5, 4, 3

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

Overlaps by 7,5 hp with ERA115 Solceller och solfångare.