COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Solar energy travels from the sun to the earth in the form of electromagnetic radiation. In this course properties of electromagnetic radiation will be discussed and basic calculations for electromagnetic radiation will be described. Several solar position parameters will be discussed along with means of calculating values for them. The major methods by which solar radiation is converted into other useable forms of energy will be discussed briefly. Extraterrestrial solar radiation (that striking the earth's outer atmosphere) will be discussed and means of estimating its value at a given location and time will be presented. Finally there will be a presentation on how to obtain values for the average monthly rate of solar radiation striking the surface of a typical solar collector, at a specified location in the United States for a given month. Numerous examples are included to illustrate the calculations and data retrieval methods presented.

This course is intended for mechanical, electrical, chemical, and energy engineers. It will also be of interest to any engineers wanting to learn more about the renewable energy field.

In this course, you need to review the material in the pdf file, "Solar Energy Fundamentals."

Upon completing your review of the course material, you need to take a multiple choice quiz consisting of twenty (20) questions to earn 4 PDH credits. The quiz will be based on the entire document. 80% correct is required for a quiz passing grade.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student will

• Know the different types of electromagnetic radiation and which of them are included in solar radiation
• Be able to calculate wavelength if given frequency and frequency if given wavelength for specified electromagnetic radiation
• Know the meaning of absorbance, reflectance, and transmittance as applied to a surface receiving electromagnetic radiation, and be able to make calculations with those parameters
• Be able to obtain or calculate values for solar declination, solar hour angle, solar altitude angle, sunrise angle and sunset angle, and use them in calculations
• Know the major methods by which solar radiation is converted into other useable forms of energy
• Be able to obtain an estimated value for monthly averaged extraterrestrial radiation on a horizontal surface for a specified month and latitude between 20 and 65 degrees
• Be able to obtain values for the average monthly rate of solar radiation striking the surface of a solar collector with one of several standard tilt angles at a specified location in the United States for a given month.

Course Author Profile: Harlan Bengson, Ph, PE