Renewable Energy Systems

4 credits

In this course, students will learn about renewable energy systems, with a particular focus on solar photovoltaics and wind. Topics include renewable energy fundamentals, how to characterize a site's solar and wind resource from measured and modeled data, and how to size systems (e.g., generation and storage) to meet defined load profiles. Beyond solar and wind, students will survey other renewable energy technologies and their applications, including solar thermal, hydro, geothermal, and biomass, at scales from household to utility. Students will also explore the socio-technical aspects of these systems, including siting, policy, and environmental impacts, and evaluate projects economically. In the laboratory, students will use modeling software and bench systems to explore theory and inform their own designs.