Devices for Renewable Energy

(3-0-0-3)

CMPE Degree: This course is Selected Elective for the CMPE degree.

EE Degree: This course is Selected Elective for the EE degree.

Lab Hours: 0 supervised lab hours and 0 unsupervised lab hours.

Technical Interest Groups / Course Categories: Threads / ECE Electives

Course Coordinator: William Alan Doolittle

Prerequisites: ECE 3040 [min C]

Catalog Description

Students study the engineering compromises, operational physics and environmental impact of a variety of devices from solar cells, batteries, thermoelectric devices and wind generators.

Textbook(s)

Course Outcomes

Knowledge of the science behind climate variability

Knowledge of the potential impact and practical limitations renewable energy will have on climate variability

Knowledge of the functionality and design of a photovoltaic device

Knowledge of the differences in and performance advantages associated with various categories of photovoltaic designs

Knowledge of traditional and emerging energy storage technologies

Overview knowledge of mechanically driven renewable energy devices.

Strategic Performance Indicators (SPIs)

N/A

Topic List

  1. Climate Change
  2. Solar Device Classes
  3. Properties of Sunlight
  4. P-N Junctions
  5. Solar Cell Operation
  6. Design of Silicon Solar Cells
  7. Design of thin film and advanced Solar Cells
  8. Manufacturing of solar cells
  9. Modules and Arrays
  10. Selected Characterization topics
  11. Storage Technologies
  12. Abbreviated systems and economics overview