Solar Energy Conversion

Undergraduate catalogue cross-listing

Principles and design of solar energy conversion systems. Quantity and availability of solar energy from our Sun compared to other solar systems. Physics and chemistry of solar energy conversion: solar optics, optical excitation, capture of excited energy, and transport of excitations or electronic charge. Conversion methods: thermal, wind, photoelectric, photoelectrochemical, photosynthetic, biomass. Solar energy systems: low and high temperature conversion, photovoltaics. Storage of solar energy. Conversion efficiency, systems cost, and lifecycle considerations. Hands on experiences testing solar panels, touring campus solar farm, etc.