Study information

Solar Energy Research and Innovation - 2025 entry

MODULE TITLESolar Energy Research and Innovation CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENEM012 MODULE CONVENERProf Justin Hinshelwood (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 10
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 15
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

An advanced course covering state of the art advanced solar technologies including advanced solar measurements, solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies. This may includes: optimum day-lighting measurements, solar angle determinations, concentrating solar power technologies for process heat and power generation, physics of Silicon based technologies, thin film technologies, excitonic solar cells, deployment, economics and environmental impact. The module is designed to motivate and enable students to choose technologist, designer or consultant roles in the field of solar energy sectors in general.

AIMS - intentions of the module
In this module, students obtain specific understanding of solar resource, physics and engineering of solar energy system. Students develop an advanced understanding of design, limitation and implementation of Solar Energy Devices focusing on: (i) advanced knowledge and modelling of solar energy resource analysis, (ii) Applied area of solar PV in Building, Water and Agricultural Land, (iii) temperature reduction of PV using various novel methods, (iv) large scale design of solar PV and application to electric and hydrogen vehicles, (iv) risk and mitigation management of PV and (v) characterisation techniques of PV devices. In achieving this level of capability, students will develop competence for independent solar energy research, design of new solar PV/Thermal farms, and dealing with operational challenges for solar power plants around the globe. In addition students will learn to use state-of-the-art computational design/modelling tool routinely used in the industry.
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
Programmes that are accredited by the Engineering Council are required to meet Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes (www.engc.org.uk/ahep). The Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes taught and assessed on this module are specified by the codes below.
 
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge
 
1.Select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to research complex problems around novel applied PV systems ( M4, M4-FL);
  
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge 
 
2. Apply an integrated approach to understand the dependencies and relationship between PV systems, battery storage and electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles (M6, M6-FL);
3. Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate complex problems around the performance of different PV systems (M12, M12-FL);
 
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge
 
4.Function effectively as an individual and as a member or leader of a team and evaluate and provide feedback on the effectiveness of your own and the team’s performance (M16, M16-FL).
 
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
  • Solar PV technology
  • Si-based technologies 
  • Monofacial PV
  • Bifacial PV
  • Multijunction PV
  • Thin film Tehcnology
  • High Efficiency solar cell
  • Thermal Regulation of PV
  • Water cooling
  • Air cooling
  • Phase change material 
  • Nanofluid
 
Building Integrated PV
Building Integrated PVT
 
 
 
Water based PV
 
Floating PV
Underwater PV
Offshore PV
Canal top PV
 
Agrivoltaics
Crop modelling
 
Solar energy for electric vehicles
 
Solar energy for hydrogen generation
 
End of life of PV
 
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 40 Guided Independent Study 110 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 40 Lectures, tutorials and laboratory experiments
Guided Independent Study 110 Private Study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Not applicable.      
       
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 100 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Exploring the advanced solar energy technologies  (Report) 40 2400 words equivalent 1 Written
Exploring Solar in transport or / building sector  (Group report) 60 3500 words equivalent per student 1-4 Written

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Report (40%)
Farm design (60%)		 Referred and deferred assignments will mirror the original modes of assessment As above Referral/Deferral period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Referred and deferred assignments will mirror the original modes of assessment.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

Boyle, G. (ed) Renewable Energy, Chapters 2 & 3, Oxford University Press. ISBN: 978 0 199545339Scheer, Herman. The Solar Economy  Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Global Future, Earthscan, London, ISBN: 1844070751, Shelve Number: 333.794 SCH                       

Luque, Antonio (ed). Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Chichester, Wiley, 2003, ISBN: 0471491969. Shelve Number: 621.31244 LUQ                              

Martin, C.L., Solar Energy Pocket Reference, Earthscan, 2006, ISBN: 1844073068                                                                                              

Ecofys, Planning and Installing Photovoltaic Systems: A Guide for Installers, Architects and Engineers, Earthscan, London, 2005, ISBN: 1844071316, Shelve Number: 697.78 PLA

Ecofys, Planning and Installing Solar Thermal Systems: A Guide for Installers, Architects and Engineers, Earthscan, London, 2005, ISBN: 1844071251, Shelve Number: 697.78 PLA

Messenger, R.A. and Ventre J. Photovoltaic Systems Engineering, CRC Press, Boca Raton FL, ISBN: 0849317932, Shelve Number: 621.31244 MES                                    

Porteous, C. with MacGregor, K., Solar architecture in Cool Climates, ISBN: 190291662X, Shelve Number: 728.370472                                                           

Thomas, R., Photovoltaics and Architecture, Spon Press, London, ISBN: 0415231825, Shelve Number: 720.472                                                                    

Research Journal: Solar Energy, Applied Energy, Progress in Photovoltaics, Renewable Energy, Applied Thermal Engineering

 

ELE: https://ele.exeter.ac.uk/

 

Web based and Electronic Resources:

 

Other Resources:

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Scheer, H. A Solar Manifesto James & James 2004 1 902916 24 7
Set Boyle, G. Renewable Energy Oxford University Press 2012 0199261784
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES CSM3371
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Monday 11th March 2024 LAST REVISION DATE Wednesday 16th April 2025
KEY WORDS SEARCH Photovoltaic systems; PV systems; solar radiation; solar energy; solar thermal systems.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.