Using Photovoltaic (PV) Technology in Desert Climates

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Free Online Course: Using Photovoltaic (PV) Technology in Desert Climates provided by edX is a comprehensive online course, which lasts for 8 weeks long, 1-3 hours a week. The course is taught in English and is free of charge. Upon completion of the course, you can receive an e-certificate from edX. Using Photovoltaic (PV) Technology in Desert Climates is taught by Prof. Nouar Tabet, Dr. Benjamin Figgis, Ahmer Baloch and Dr. Amir Abdallah.

Overview
  • The high insolation in desert regions can result in a lower cost of solar energy. While this may be a key motivation to deploying PV in desert climates, there are also several challenges related to the technology that must be considered.

    In this course, you will learn what effect temperature and dust has on the solar cells and PV modules. The course looks at the cleaning methods used to reduce soiling, how to measure solar cell and PV module performance and optimize the design of the technology to enhance the energy yield. Finally, you will have the opportunity to consider how you would deploy PV technology in your specific context.

Syllabus
  • Module 0: Getting Started
    Module 1: Understanding the Solar Cell Operation Principles
    Module 2: Measuring Solar Cell and PV Module Performance under Standard Test Conditions
    Module 3: Understanding the Differences of PV Technologies available in the Market
    Module 4: Energy Yield of Monofacial and Bifacial PV Modules
    Module 5: Measuring and Mitigating PV Soiling
    Module 6: Assessing PV Module Reliability and Degradation
    Module 7: Tailoring PV Cells and Modules for Desert Climates
    Module 8: PV in Desert Climates in your Context