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School of Engineering · ANU College of Systems and Society
Photovoltaics (PV) is rapidly becoming a major source of cheap electricity. This course provides the tools and methods to plan, design, build and operate PV power plants, with an emphasis on utility-scale plants. Within the course students execute a realistic PV plant project, including planning, design, licensing, construction, operation and maintenance, and financing. Most of the modules that compose the course are presented at a generic systems level, and are accessible to students with a non-engineering background. Some of the modules are complemented with more detailed technical contents, as required for professional engineers. The course intends to have a broad appeal, preparing students for policy, managerial or technical jobs in the fast-growing area of Solar PV systems.
Tutorials
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Individual Assignments
Learning outcomes 2, 3, 4, 6, 8
Group Project
Learning outcomes 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Final Exam
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5
The typical workload for a 6 unit course is approximately 10hr/week throughout semester. This includes lecture and tutorial attendance, assessment preparation and individual study time. Other Information The use of generative AI Tools in this course is permitted within clearly defined assessment conditions . Assessments in this course are classified as AI-free, AI-assisted, or AI-integrated activities. - In AI-free assessments, students must complete the work without generative AI assistance in order to demonstrate independent understanding and reasoning. - In AI-assisted assessments, students may use generative AI tools to support activities such as information gathering, drafting, editing, coding support, or data organisation, provided all outputs are critically evaluated, are appropriately acknowledged and can be justified. - In AI-integrated assessments, students are expected to critically engage with AI-generated outputs as part of the learning activity, including identifying assumptions, limitations, inaccuracies, and risks associated with AI use. Students remain responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of all submitted work . Written assignments may require a short declaration describing the AI tools used, prompt strategies employed, and how AI contributed to the work. Marks will reflect the quality of student reasoning, judgement, critique, and understanding rather than the contribution of the tools. Guidance regarding appropriate citation and use of generative AI can be found on the ANU library website . Further guidance on appropriate use should be directed to the convener for this course.
None Preliminary Reading A foundational reference for utility-scale PV project development processes and terminology. It is highly recommended to download and read this guide following closely the course content. - Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants, A Project Developer’s Guide, International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group, 2015. https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/topics_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/sustainability-at-ifc/publications/publications_utility-scale+solar+photovoltaic+power+plants Supplementary Resources (optional but highly recommended for students’ learning) - IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Program (IEA PVPS) - Reports and Task Publications. https://iea-pvps.org/ (notably trends and insights) - Textbook: H. Haeberlin, Photovoltaics : system design and practice, Wiley, 2012. - Textbook: P. Gevorkian, Large-Scale Solar Power System Design: An Engineering Guide for Grid-Connected Solar Power Generation, McGraw-Hill, 2011. Copies of the textbooks are available from Hancock library. Students are expected to engage with evolving industry documentation, technical reports, and engineering guidance.