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Course Offerings

Course Details

Fall 2010-2011
ELE 431 / MAE 431 / ENV 431 / EGR 431 (QR)   na, npdf

Solar Energy Conversion

Emily A. Carter
Sigurd Wagner

Principles, designs, and economics of solar conversion systems. Quantity and availability of solar energy. Physics and chemistry of solar energy conversion: solar optics; quantum processes; optical excitation; and transport of excitations, electronic, and ionic charge. Methods for conversion: photovoltaics; photoelectrochemistry; photocatalysis; photosynthesis; and solar thermal conversion. Energy collection, transport, and storage. Economics: life cycle costing; and societal value of renewable energy.

Sample reading list:
D. Yogi Goswami, Frank Kreith, Jan F. Kreider, Principles of Solar Engineering
George C. Schatz, Mark A. Ratner, Quantum Mechanics in Chemistry
Martin A. Green, Solar cells: Operating Principles, Technology
Jeremy Berg, John I.. Tymoczko, Lubert Stryer, Biochemistry
Christiana Honsberg and Stuart Bowden, http:/pvcdrom.pveducation.org. Review articles

Reading/Writing assignments:
Six homework assignment problem sets, one-hour midterm examination, three-hour final examination. Weekly reading assignment of 25 pages of textbook or web content, or review articles

Requirements/Grading:
Mid Term Exam - 20%
Paper in lieu of Final - 40%
Problem set(s) - 40%

Other Requirements:
Open to Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate Students Only.

Prerequisites and Restrictions:
Completed freshman science or engineering courses (MAT 104, PHY 104, CHM 207). Open to others by permission of instructor..

Other information:
Knowledge of linear algebra and ordinary differential equations is essential. This course will fulfill a requirement for the proposed Sustainable Energy Certificate Program.

Schedule/Classroom assignment:

Class numberSectionTimeDaysRoomEnrollmentStatus
23718 L01 10:00 am - 10:50 am M W F   Friend Center of Engineering   008   Enrolled:22 Limit:65
P01 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm F   Engineering Quad B-Wing   B205   Enrolled:0 Limit:30