An Introduction to Solar Energy System Fundamentals
This online engineering PDH course provides an introduction to solar energy system fundamentals. A solar thermal energy collection system (or "solar system" for short) is defined as a set of equipment that intercepts incident solar radiation and stores it as useful thermal energy to offset or eliminate the need for fossil fuel consumption. Four basic functions are performed by a typical solar system and are discussed in this course.
This 2 PDH online course is intended for mechanical engineers and other infrastructure design and construction professionals seeking an introduction to the fundamentals of solar water heating systems for buildings and related facilities.
This PE continuing education course is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Learning about the four basic functions performed by a typical solar system
- Learning about the components of the collector sub-system which intercepts incident solar radiation and transfers it as thermal energy to a working fluid
- Learning about the elements of the storage sub-system which retains collected thermal energy for later use by the process load
- Learn how the transport sub-system delivers energy from the collectors to storage
- Learn how the control sub-system determines when enough energy is available for collection, and activates and controls the entire system to collect this energy until it is no longer available as a net energy gain
- Learn about heating domestic hot water and low-temperature process water, which will normally be the most thermally efficient means of using solar energy
- Learning about the basic material considerations in solar energy systems
- Learning about flat-plate solar collectors, which are the most common type used
In this professional engineering CEU course, you need to review the course document titled, "An Introduction to Solar Energy System Fundamentals".
Upon successful completion of the quiz, print your Certificate of Completion instantly. (Note: if you are paying by check or money order, you will be able to print it after we receive your payment.) For your convenience, we will also email it to you. Please note that you can log in to your account at any time to access and print your Certificate of Completion.