Green Sheet (pdf)

ESCI 61 - 3.0 Units

Instructors: Ridha Hamidi
Hours: Three Hours Lecture

• Lecture: Wednesdays in room KC 239 5:30 p.m. - 8:20 p.m.

Instructor's Contact Information

• Email: hamidiridha@deanza.edu and broeder@pacbell.net (please put ESCI 61 in the subject box of all emails)
• Office Location:KC 212
• Office Hours Held: W 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. by appointment only
• Phone/Voicemail: 408.864.8999 Ext. 3159
• ES Dept website: http://www.deanza.edu/es

Course Description

An introduction to the fundamentals of photovoltaic (PV) basics including how solar cells convert sunlight to electricity, solar potential, types of solar systems, system size requirement and design, net metering options, rebate programs, and related topics for your home or business. An emphasis on the benefits of renewable energy technology as well as how to understand and review multiple bids and analyzing the economics of a PV installation.  Good introductory course for students considering the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification program.  Out-of-class field trips may be required for this course.

Course Objectives
After completing this course you should be able to:

1. Explore the terminology, science and applications of photovoltaic (PV) technology
2. Examine existing and potential applications of photovoltaic (PV) power systems
3. Assess PV system design strategies
4. Analyze opportunities for buying green power and educating the public, public agencies, elected officials and other stakeholders utilizing energy resources.

Expanded Description: Content and Form
A. Explore the terminology, science and applications of photovoltaic (PV) technology

1. Basic terminology of photovoltaic (PV) including solar angle potential and orientation, solar cells, types of solar cells including thin film, monocrystalline and polycrystalline cells for walls, windows or roof shingles
2. Building integrated Photovoltaic Systems (BIPV)
3. Mounting techniques of PV systems including roof and ground and tracking systems
4. Science of electron flow, semiconductors including how solar cells convert sunlight to electricity and materials used in solar cell production
5. Overview of electricity production and electric power systems

B. Examine existing and potential applications of photovoltaic (PV) power systems

1. PV potential and factors impacting output
2. PV applications including panels of solar cells and solar shingles
3. Benefits of PV power
4. Barriers to PV power
5. Selecting and procuring a PV system

C. Assess PV system design strategies

1. System sizing for specific applications
2. System orientation
3. Electronics for PV systems to calculate performance, cost and payback
4. Battery backup and stand alone PV systems
5. Life cycle cost analysis (the economics of PV) techniques
6. Rebate analysis

D. Analyze opportunities for buying green power and educating the public, public agencies, elected officials and other stakeholders utilizing energy resources

1. The benefits of green energy including PV technology
2. An overview of green energy and initiatives including the California Solar Initiative
3. Green power opportunities including the cost benefits of solar (renewable) energy versus heavily subsidized fossil fuel technologies (nonrenewable energy)
4. Green power related policies including local, state and federal laws and regulation and utilities as key stakeholders

Course Material

Textbooks: no textbook is required for this class but students are advised to read the following book

- Photovoltaic Systems by James P. Dunlop, in partnership with NJATC

Students are required to read the following documents:

- A Consumer's Guide: Get Your Power from the Sun (Brochure)

- A Guide to PV Design and Installation

Grading

• Quizzes: 50 points
• Homework Assignments: 50 points
• Final Exam: 50 points
• Final Project: 50 points
• Attendance: 10 points (extra credit)

Total possible points 210

Your accumulated total points are compared to 200, and your letter grade is determined as follows:

Grade	% of total	Points
A+	> 97%	> 193
A	93%-97%	185-193
A-	89%-92%	178-184
B+	86%-89%	171-177
B	81%-85%	162-170
B-	78%-81%	155-161
C+	74%-77%	148-154
C	70%-74%	139-147
C-	66%-69%	132-138
D+	63%-66%	125-131
D	58%-62%	116-124
D-	55%-58%	109-115
F	< 55%	< 109

Requirements

Be prepared to:

1. Attend all classes! Students who miss more than 2 sessions will be automatically withdrawn.
2. Participate in team assignments in and outside of class time
3. Work with a team to design a photovoltaic project

Assignments

1. Individual assignment:  each student will complete three homework assignments and a class journal
2. Team assignment:  students will participate in designing and sizing a photovoltaic project

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Assess (apply) the criteria necessary to be successful in the Introduction to Photovoltaic Technology class.
2. Investigate and communicate the fundamentals of solar electricity (including conversion of sunlight to electricity, solar potential and types of solar systems) and the role of this form of renewable energy in establishing a sustainable society.

General Information

1. This is an intensive environmental science course!
2. Class protocol for each day of lecture:

• Class begins promptly at 5:30 pm

4. Stewardship Resource Center (SRC) protocol:

• Daily activities (ie computer research) may be scheduled at the SRC
• Computer check-out by team requires one student ID
• Stay with your computer at all times – do not leave unattended! Someone should always be at your station!

5. Students are expected to exhibit proper indoor and outdoor classroom etiquette: arrive to class on time, participate in all activities, do not talk during lecture & no cell phones or other such devices on! Disruptive student behavior will result in an F in the class and the student will be dropped from the class.

Class Schedule

Date Topics Assignments Week 1 - April 11 Introduction to PV Systems  Homework #1 assigned Week 2 - April 18 Solar Radiation, Sun-Earth Relationships   Week 3 - April 25 PV Cells, Modules, and Arrays  Homework #1 due Week 4 - May 2 PV System Components and Configurations  Homework #2 assigned  Quiz #1 assigned in class (5:30 - 6:00 PM) Week 5 - May 9 PV Site Surveys   Week 6 - May 16 Basics of Electricity for PV Systems  Homework #2 due Week 7 - May 23 PV System Sizing  Homework #3 assigned  Quiz #2 assigned in class (5:30 - 6:00 PM) Week 8 - May 30 Field Trip #1 Review Session   Week 9 - June 6 Mechanical & Electrical Integrations of a PV System  Homework #3 due Week 10 - June 13 Economic Analysis of a PV System, Net Metering, Rebate Programs  Quiz #3 assigned in class (5:30 - 6:00 PM) Week 11 - June 20 Field Trip #2 Review Session   Week 12 - June 27 PV Project Presentations  Final Project Report due  Final Exam assigned in class (5:30 - 6:30 PM)