Solar Energy Conversion

Undergraduate catalogue

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.