Solar Energy Conversion and Application - Micro-credential

Overview

Who is this Micro-credential for?  

• This micro-credential has been developed to benefit engineers, who are interested in learning more solar energy conversion processes and applications of solar energy systems, architects interested in building integrated solar energy technologies, professionals in local authorities and in NGOs, who are interested in the growing solar industry in Ireland.  

Why should I take this Micro-credential?

• This micro-credential will give you an extended foundation of the main concepts of solar energy conversion and applications to enable you to practically apply your new knowledge in the field as well as in research and development.  

• Learners will advance their professional competencies through an in-depth focus on how solar cells work up to balance of system components and the design of large solar farms.  

• By completing the micro-credential, professional learners will be facilitated to identify and to address these topics and will be enabled to progress their individual career goals in the solar energy industry. 

• Our Micro-credentials are all CPD approved by Engineers Ireland

When can I start this Micro-credential?  

• There is one intake per year in September

What do I need to be accepted onto this Micro-credential? – Entry requirements & Prerequisite documents 

• Applicants must have a 2.1 grade in a level 8 degree in Engineering or a cognate discipline. 

• CV & Transcript (2:1)

What will I learn? 

• This micro-credential introduces a range of topics in the advanced physics and technology of solar energy conversion and materials, devices, and applications. Participants will gain an in-depth knowledge of current advances in solar energy, principles of operation of solar thermal and photovoltaic devices, technological challenges, and their applications, as well as an introduction into next generation technologies.

• The aim of this micro-credential is to give the students an extended foundation of the main concepts of solar energy and to enable them to practically apply their knowledge in research and development of solar energy technologies as well as in the design of domestic and solar farm installations.

What will I do? 

• In this micro-credential you will attend weekly 2-hour lectures. These will be classroom based but will be live streamed and recorded for those that prefer online delivery. These lectures will advance your professional competencies through an in-depth focus on how solar cells work up to the balance of system and applications.

• One hour each week will be dedicated to group work. In groups of 3-4, you will design solar thermal and photovoltaic systems for specified global locations. Design specifics, scale and selection of software will be decided in class. Optimised solar energy system selection will be determined along with economic analysis and local policy implications. A group presentation will be given, and a report will be produced by you and your group.

How will this Micro-credential be delivered? 

• There will be blended delivery with all lectures recorded ’live’ while also giving the option for in-person lectures. Timetabling currently has 2-hour slot for lectures and 1 hour slot for groupwork. Group work can be facilitated online or face to face to suit the cohort.

• Weekly lectures (2hr) will be given from Week 1 to Week 12. These lectures will be live streamed and recorded. Weekly one hour slot will be dedicated to groupwork, where groups of 3-4 will work to design a solar photovoltaic and thermal installation for different geographic locations.

• The VLE (Blackboard) will be used to host lectures and groupwork if requested including Collaborate Ultra and discussion boards. It will also be used to provide structured access to all resources. Lecture recordings will be automatically published on the VLE. The assignments tool in Blackboard will be used to collect and give feedback on assessments.

How is this Micro-credential assessed? 

• It will be assessed through a group project due in Week 6, worth 50% and a 2-hour examination at the end of term also worth 50%.