KD7050 - Photovoltaic System Technology

You will meet the material via a combination of lectures and seminars, including some class-based design exercises. You will also undertake an individual design project, in which you will develop a system design for a defined customer, considering both technical and non-technical issues to achieve the best design compromise and utilising specialist software for the design of photovoltaic systems.

The module is assessed by an examination (60%) which investigates your knowledge and understanding of the principles of PV systems. The design project mentioned above will determine your ability to apply your knowledge to a real life application. Feedback on the examination is provided individually and also generically so you can see where the cohort has a stronger or weaker answer to particular examination questions than the one you gave. Feedback on the assignment is also provided individually, with particular emphasis on constructive advice to enhance your skills in system design and the presentation of technical material. Formative feedback is provided in lectures and seminars with regard to the development of your understanding of the module content.

The knowledge and skills that you will acquire in this module significantly enhance employability, particularly in the field of renewable energy. You will also have the opportunity to experience working across engineering/sciences disciplines, while developing personal employability attributes. By learning such skills, you will become more productive and able to problem solve while being aware of the wider environment context of commercial landscape of photovoltaic system industry and research ethics and social considerations, beyond simply solving technical challenges.

In addition to the lectures and seminars, you are able to make direct contact with the module team, usually via email in the first instance, where further support is required. This allows the arrangement of ad-hoc individual or group discussions to address specific problems. You will also be regularly referred to supporting resources including relevant texts and multimedia relevant to the module. References to these resources will be made available through the e-learning portal and in lectures and seminars. Individual advice is provided at the beginning of your design project in terms of selection of the application and other critical issues. You will have various opportunities to visit the photovoltaic systems within the campus and outside.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
• Assess the system requirements for both grid-connected and stand-alone applications of PV systems
(AHEP4 M2)

• Critically evaluate the performance of a PV system in contrast to a theoretical model of such a system, calculating yields and efficiencies
(AHEP4 M2, M4, M7)

• Analyse the main system losses and compare methods for minimising these for various system designs
(AHEP4 M2, M4,)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Design and develop a PV system evaluating complex and contradictory customer needs in relation to an application
(AHEP4 M1, M2, M4, M5)


Disseminate group work to wider audience through both written report and presentation.
M16, M174

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

1. C
1. Examination (60%): It will investigate your knowledge and understanding of the principles of PV systems You will attempt 4 questions from 6.The module learning outcomes addressed are: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9.

2. Coursework (CW) Written assignment and presentation (PRE) (40%) –
The module learning outcomes addressed are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

In-course seminars and discussions

The module learning outcomes addressed are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8.

Formative feedback will be provided via class discussions. Individual written feedback will be provided on both aspects of the summative assessment.

N/A

N/A

Photovoltaic systems convert solar energy directly into electricity for a wide range of applications and are of growing importance to our energy supply systems around the world. In this module, you will learn the principles of photovoltaic system design, applications and performance. This module is about preparing you to use the skills and knowledge that you have acquired on the programme, in order to solve a complex and open-ended challenge. As part of the assessment of this module, you will get the opportunity to complete an individual design project, allowing you to apply your knowledge to a specific application and utilize the latest specialist software for system simulation. Northumbria has an internationally recognized research group in photovoltaics, allowing the latest research developments in design and implementation to be included in the class discussions. You will gain critical and investigative skills that can be applied to a wide range of electrical systems in your future career as professional engineer (ready to be a chartered Engineer of the IET).