Overview
The specialisation includes training in technology development, manufacturing, quality control, reliability and life-cycle analysis, cell interconnection and encapsulation, a range of solar cell applications, system design, maintenance and fault diagnosis, marketing, policy development and the use of other renewable energy technologies. Emphasis is placed on gaining hands-on experience of working … For more content click the Read More button below.
Second Area of Specialisation
The cross-disciplinary nature of photovoltaics and renewable energy applications necessitates many PV engineers possessing broad engineering backgrounds or else working in teams with other engineers. A good example is the UNSW Solar Car Project involving PV engineers, electronics engineers, control engineers, mechanical engineers, chemical engineers, power engineers, biomedical engineers, computer engineers, and communication engineers. Therefore it is important for photovoltaic engineers to have a broader understanding of other engineering disciplines.
A unique feature of this specialisation is that in Year 2, students have the opportunity to select a strand to complement their education in Photovoltaics and Solar Energy. Each strand comprises 18 units of credit with the opportunity to subsequently select additional electives in the corresponding area in the final two years, subject to the approval of the Undergraduate Coordinator. The strands available are listed below and cover areas such as computing, electronics, mathematics, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, physics, chemical engineering, and architecture. Students may also formulate their own strands subject to the approval of the Undergraduate Coordinator.
Selection of a second area of specialisation is subject to the specialisation rule that states that no more than 60 UOC of first-year level courses may be counted toward the BE (Hons) in Photovoltaics and Solar Energy.
Photovoltaics and Solar Energy is also available as a component of the double degree programs.
Learning Outcomes
1.
Show proficiency in the enabling sciences that underpin Photovoltaic and Solar Energy (PVSE) Engineering (physics, mathematics and computer science).
2.
Demonstrate proficiency of PVSE Energy specialist technical knowledge such as operation, design and manufacturing of solar cells and modules, energy efficiency and photovoltaic systems design.
3.
Critically evaluate and apply current research to the solution of problems faced in a real world context, in PVSE Energy engineering, by considering technical, economic, social and environmental implications.
4.
Use appropriate analytical and computational tools to analyse complex problems in PVSE and solve by applying critical thinking and engaging with real world context.
5.
Design PVSE systems using knowledge of the functionality and operating principles of systems components, enabling technologies and relevant standards
6.
Lead and manage PVSE projects, individually or as part of a team, in a systematic and professional manner.
7.
Demonstrate a high level of personal autonomy, perseverance, ethical conduct and professional accountability when working as an individual and within diverse multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team environments.
8.
Communicate professionally and effectively within and outside of PVSE engineering and effectively incorporate feedback.
Available in Program(s) Single degree program(s) in which this specialisation is available:
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - BE (Hons)3707 - Engineering (Honours)
Specialisation Structure
Students must complete 168 UOC.
Level 1 Core Courses48 Units of Credit:
Level 2 Core Courses36 Units of Credit:
Level 3 Core Courses18 Units of Credit:
Level 4 Core Courses30 Units of Credit:
Strand Electives18 Units of Credit:
Discipline (Depth) Electives18 Units of Credit:
Breadth Elective
Enrolment Disclaimer
Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.
You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.
You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.
Pre-2019 Handbook Editions
Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)