ECEA 5351 Solar Power Sensors
3rd course in the Sensors for a Carbon Free World Specialization
Instructors: Jay Mendelson, MSME, Lecturer​Ìý
Solar Panel Sensors starts with a discussion on how solar panels generate electrical energy. It then moves to the electronic components: silicon solar cells, perovskite cells, photovoltaic manufacturing methods and the power generation components: sun trackers, solar inverters, solar battery storage. We reference sensors used to monitor electronics and power generation components, as well as sensors that that are essential for maximizing solar panel efficiency.
Prior knowledge needed:ÌýECEA 5349ÌýElectric Vehicle Sensors and ECEA 5350ÌýWind Turbine Sensors
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the major components of a solar farm.
- Estimate the total energy that a solar farm can produce
- Understand solar panel and inverter specifications
- Describe the major electronic components of a solar panel
- Specify sensors needed to manufacture solar panels
- Understand equipment used to increase power efficiency
- Specify module level power electronics and tracking systems
- Describe how sensors measure physical parameters to keep solar farms operating safely and efficiently
- Understand how to specify important sensors for a solar farm
- Specify hardware to interface with sensors on a solar farm
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Syllabus
Duration: 11 hours
Students will learn about solar farm architecture and how solar energy is captured.
Duration: 11Ìýhours
Students will learn how solar panels work and how they are manufactured.
Duration: 9.5 hours
Students will learn how solar panels generate power on a large scale.
Duration: 8.5Ìýhours
Students will learn how sensors measure critical solar farm parameters.
Duration: 2.5 hours
This module contains materials for the proctored final exam for MS-EE degree students. If you've upgraded to the for-credit version of this course, please make sure you review the additional for-credit materials in the Introductory module and anywhere else they may be found.Ìý
To learn about ProctorU's exam proctoring, system test links, and privacy policy, visitÌýwww.colorado.edu/ecee/online-masters/current-students/proctoru.
Grading
Assignment | Percentage of Grade |
| Week 1: Homework Assignment | 15% |
| Week 1: Quiz | 2.5% |
| Week 2: Homework Assignment | 15% |
| Week 2: Quiz | 2.5% |
| Week 3: Homework Assignment | 15% |
| Week 3: Quiz | 2.5% |
| Week 4: Homework Assignment | 15% |
| Week 4: Quiz | 2.5% |
| W​eek 5: Final Exam | 30% |
Letter Grade Rubric
Letter GradeÌý | Minimum Percentage |
| A | 90% |
| B | 80% |
| C | 70% |
| D | 60% |
| F | 50% |