The following graph shows where our short courses participants have been located while completing the course.
As PV cell and systems technology improve new markets become increasingly accessible. This has resulted in an increased demand for people with knowledge of photovoltaic devices and systems. To help fulfil this demand the CPE and ACRE are offering an on-line short course that will provide participants from around the world with the benefit of these Centres’ leading-edge technical and teaching experience.
This course will give a comprehensive grounding in photovoltaic devices
and systems and has been designed to meet the needs of professionals or
tertiary students who wish to work within the renewable energy sector or
to expand their existing knowledge of the subject.
Participants successfully completing the course will receive a certificate of study from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.The course combines the convenience of Web-based learning (using WebCT delivery software) with the support provided by external tutors. This interactive desktop education approach comprises of the following:
- The CPE’s Applied Photovoltaics interactive CD-ROM
- Provides a comprehensive set of course materials covering PV devices and systems without the bandwidth limitations imposed by high volume web downloads. The CD-ROM is also a stand-alone reference for PV technology
- PV system design and sizing software -- students design residential systems that match particular load profiles
- A range of case studies -- students choose a particular area of PV specialisation according to their interests
- Daily communication with course tutors at UNSW
- On-going discussion about aspects of the course or specific tasks facilitated via the course Web pages and email
- Automated grading of selected exercises enables a student to quickly gauge their progress
- Electronic submission and return of exercises allowing tutors to quickly return results with comments
- On-going communication with fellow course participants around the globe via the Applied PV World Wide Web message board or email
Above: This screen shot is taken from the Applied Photovoltaics CD-ROM. Shown are the sources of optical loss in a solar cell.
Upon the successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of study from UNSW, and will have obtained a detailed understanding of the following:
- How sunlight interacts with photovoltaic cells to produce electrical energy
- How global and local insolation characteristics affect PV energy conversion
- The various types of PV cell technology and their fabrication
- The individual components of modern photovoltaic systems
- Design principles of a range of photovoltaic system applications
- Practical system design (including module, battery and inverter sizing)
- Applied case studies (including modelling of device characteristics, RAPS and grid-connected systems)
Please note: 12-15 hours is an estimate for students with scientific
or engineering backgrounds. Some students will require time in excess of
this estimate. For this reason careful consideration should be regarding
work commitments and time available for course participation.
 |
Left: BP Solar, Solarex, and Canon arrays respectively at the Little Bay Solar Energy Research Facility. Total installed capacity = 14 kW. Used for both grid connect and stand alone operation. |
| Right: The Little Bay Solar Energy Research Facility tracker system used to compare module performance over time. The main building at Little Bay can be seen in the background. The building is a showcase of innovative Australian technologies and sustainability in domestic and commercial building design. It was built over a two year period by staff and students. |  |
| Course Fee: | US$200 (AUS$320)* |
| Full-time students
(please supply proof of enrolment): |
US$140 (AUS$220)* |
Optional Two-Day Component at UNSW
15 & 16 April, 2000:
The additional cost to participate in the optional component at UNSW is US$220 (AUS$350)*. This cost includes morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea.
*Participants from outside of Australia are required to pay either
by VISA Card , MasterCard or in a cheque in US Dollars.
 |
Left: The rooftop shown here is from the athlete's residences currently under construction for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. BP Solar are responsible for module supply and installation. Each of the 650 dwellings has 1 kW installed PV as well as solar thermal hot water systems. A tour of this site is included as an optional component to the course. |
| It is necessary to email notification of
your intent to participate in the Applied PV On-Line Short Course.
Positions will be made available to applicants based upon the email date
of their intent to participate.
Please include: full name, postal address, daytime phone and fax numbers, Normal/Student status and whether or not you intend to attend the optional two-day component at UNSW. Do not email credit card numbers! Please email this information to apvsc@unsw.edu.au This will hold your position in the course while the registration form is being faxed or in the post (faxing is preferred). |
Payment may be made by VISA, MasterCard or by cheque/money order payable to the University of New South Wales. Applicants from outside of Australia need to pay either by credit card or with a cheque in US Dollars.
Places are limited to 50 students and enrolments are on a “first-in first-served” basis. Refunds, less a 50% cancellation fee, will be made for cancellations received prior to 17 March 2000. No refunds are possible after this date.
To register please supply the following details. Registration forms
are available in two formats: (apvsc_regform.pdf) download
acrobat pdf format or (apvsc_regform.rtf) download
rtf format. Please fax (preferable) or post the completed form
to the fax number/address on the registration form.
For the last 15 years the research group has consistently been a world leader in silicon PV technology and was formally established as a Special Research Centre in 1990 through funding grants from both the Australian Research Council and Pacific Power. The research group is lead by Professor Martin Green who started developing high efficiency solar cells at UNSW in the mid-1970's. His group has grown from the original six members to a staff of over 70.
The Centre’s present world record cell efficiency is 24.7% (1999). Solar Cell efficiency records can be found at http://www.pv.unsw.edu.au/eff/
Photovoltaic reference
texts can be purchased at extra cost from the UNSW CPE.
ACRE Objectives:ACRE has Australia wide and world-renowned programs in the following:
- develop and demonstrate sustainable energy systems
- implement education and training
- build on research capabilities
- enhance commercialisation and technology transfer
- provide industrial, federal, and state level policy programs
- facilitate and encourage the up take of sustainable energy
- improve market access for ACRE members
- Power Generation
- Energy Efficiency
- Energy Storage
- Power Conditioning
- Systems Integration
- Strategic Planning
- Education and Training
- Systems Demonstrations
- Integrated Buildings
Lisa Cahill
The University of New South Wales
Centre for Photovoltaic Engineering
School of Electrical Engineering
Sydney NSW 2052
Australia
Phone +61 2 9385 6155
Fax +61 2 9662 4240
apvsc@unsw.edu.au
