pre313 - Solar Energy (Complete module description)

After completing the module students will
- critically understand the characteristics of components of solar thermal and photovoltaic systems
- critically understand the architecture and characteristics of solar thermal and photovoltaic systems
- be able to critically perform the energy balances of systems
- have a good understanding of sensor systems for controlling and monitoring of thermal and electric solar systems and their components
- be able to scientifically describe solar systems (operation, efficiency, performance parameters)
- be able to compare solar thermal systems to solar electric systems in terms of energy output and dependencies on meteorological input
- be able to compare solar systems to other renewable energy systems in terms of energy and dependencies on meteorological input.
- have a good understanding of the characteristics of solar and solar thermal collectors
- be able to establish measurement procedures in order to analyse characteristics of the given setups
- be able to apply standard physical and mathematical formulas to evaluate the experimental setups
- be able to analyse and critical review the retrieved data from experiments

Solar system’s components in stationary and dynamic operation:
- their functioning,
- the different technologies,
- the state of the art
- their characteristics and working points
Photovoltaics (PV):
- PV-cells
- charge controller
- inverter
- storage (batteries)
- further components (cabling, generator stand, electric protection)
Solar thermal:
- collectors (flat plate, vacuum tube, concentrating systems)
- thermal storage
- miscellaneous components (circulation pumps, piping, heat insulation)
Photovoltaic Systems:
- PV stand alone systems
- PV grid connected systems
- photovoltaic pumping systems
- hybrid systems
Solar Thermal Systems:
- domestic hot water supply
- heating supporting systems
- concentrating solar thermal systems.
Lab Work:
- PV cell characteristics
- solar collector characteristics

Duffie, John A. & Beckman, William A., 2006: Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes, Wiley.
Green, Martin A., 1981: Solar cells : operating principles, technology and system applications, Prentice Hall.
Green, M.A., 2007: Third Generation Photovoltaics, Advanced Solar Energy Conversion, Springer Series in Photonics
Heimrath, R., 2004: Simulation, Optimierung und Vergleich solarthermischer Anlagen zur Raumwärmeversorgung für Mehrfamilienhäuser, PhD Thesis, TU Graz.
Henning, H.M. 2003: Solar assisted air conditioning of buildings - A handbook for planners.
International Organization for Standardization, 1994: Test methods for solar collectors, IEA, Geneva
Markvart, Tom and Castaner, Luis, 2003: Practical Handbook of Photovoltaics, Fundamentals and Applications, Elsevier Science
McQuiston, Faye, Parker, Jerald & Spitler, Jeffrey, 2005: Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, Wiley
Nelson, Jenny, 2003: The Physics of Solar Cells (Properties of Semiconductor Materials), Imperial College Press.
Peuser, Felix A., Remmers, Karl-Heinz & Schnauss, Martin, 2002: Solar Thermal Systems, Successful Planning and Construction, Earthscan
Publications Ltd.
Wenham, Stuart R., Green, Martin A., Watt, Muriel E. & Corkish, Richard (Edit.), 2007: Applied Photovoltaics, Earthscan Publications Ltd.
Twidell, John & Weir, Toni, 2005: Renewable Energy Resources Taylor & Francis.
Weiss, Werner, 2004: Solar Heating Systems for Houses: A Design Handbook for Solar Combisystems, IEA
Kulschewski, Udo & Knecht , Robin et al., update 2013: Reader for the Winter Laboratory Course: Physical Principals of Renewable Energy Converters

Solar Energy Systems: At the end of the lecture period (end of January)
PV Cell Laboratory: During Semester
Solar Collector Laboratory: During Semester

Solar Energy Systems (60%): Oral exercise (1 hour)
PV Cell Laboratory (20%): Written report (10 - 20 pages)
Solar Collector Laboratory (20%): Written report (10 - 20 pages)