Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Compulsary For MSc YES
Technical
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Students will be able to design and assess small solar PV home systems for domestic applications, off-grid systems for village-wide mini-grids and larger utility-scale systems for grid-connection. 

Exit Level Outcomes: Hard (H) & Soft (S) Skills

  1. H# 1: Assess the potential of solar resource at identified sites for PV installations (Renewable Energy Principles, Data Analysis)
  2. H# 2: Model the instantaneous power output of the PV generator under arbitrary in-situ weather conditions (Modelling and Forecasting, Renewable Energy Principles)
  3. H# 3: Evaluate hybrid solar systems for specific application and geographic locations using computer simulation and optimization tools (Modelling)
  4. H# 4: Determine appropriate size of PV system components (PV modules, battery bank, inverters, charge controllers) for given load profiles (System Design, Grid and Off-Grid Systems)
  5. H# 5: Design appropriate code-compliant configurations for PV systems and equipment for installation (System Design, Grid and Off-grid Systems)
  6. H# 6: Analyze the performance and operating characteristics of an installed PV system and components (System Maintenance, Grid and Off-Grid Systems)
  7. H# 7: Analyse socio-economic and environmental impact of solar PV projects to promote societal acceptance (Gender and Socio-Economic Dynamics, Problem Solving, Energy Access)
  8. S# 1: Undertake independent study of solar PV systems (Life-long Learning)
  9. S# 2: Access solar PV systems learning material online (Digital Literacy)
  10. S# 3: Provide solutions for lighting and powering small devices' energy challenges for communities (Energy Access, Problem Solving, Off-Grid Systems, Gender and Socio-Economic Dynamics)
  11. S# 4: Determine the best PV system configuration for specific applications (Creativity)
  12. S# 5: Communicate the design layouts for solar PV systems stakeholders (e.g. Employer/client/Installer) (Communication)
  13. S# 6: Work together in small groups to design solar PV systems - domestic / mini-grid / utility-scale (Teamwork)
  14. S# 7: Produce a technical report on solar PV system design (Writing Skills)

Facilitators

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Prof. Molibeli Taele
An associate Professor of Applied Physics in the Department Of Physics and Electronics at the National University of Lesotho... read more
Courses
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Eng. Tawanda Hove
Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zimbabwe... read more
Courses
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Mr. Sebota Mokeke
He is the Lecturer in the Department of Physics and Electronics and the member of the Energy Research Center. He holds MSc in Sustainable Energy from National University of Lesotho. His research interests include assessment of impact renewable energy generators to the grid, modelling simulations and optimization of microgrids, energy management systems and design and evaluation of solar thermal systems.... read more
Courses
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Mr. Moruti Kao
He is the Lecturer in the Department of Physics and Electronics and the member of the Energy Research Center. He holds MSc in Sustainable Energy from National University of Lesotho. His research interests are primarily on mini-grids systems design and analysis (solar PV, wind) as well as performance analysis of solar thermal systems.... read more
Courses

Tentative Topics