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Welcome to this introduction video of the
Solar Energy Engineering MicroMasters Programme.

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My name is Arno Smets.

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I am a professor at the Delft University of Technology
and one of the lecturers in this MicroMasters Program.

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In this video I will explain the structure of the program

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and explain the learning objectives
for each of the courses.

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The Solar Energy Engineering
MicroMasters Program consist of five courses.

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We start with PV1x, Photovoltaic Energy Conversion.

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In this course we will discuss the fundamental physics
required to understand the operation of solar cells.

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We will apply this knowledge in the second course:
PV2x Photovoltaic Technologies.

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In this course, we will discuss the properties,
advantages and limitations

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of the different PV technologies that are manufactured.

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In the third course, PV3x Photovoltaic Systems,

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we will use the solar panels together
with other components to create PV systems,
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while in the fourth course,
we will integrate the PV Systems in Microgrids.

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The fifth and final course consist of a Capstone Project.

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Here you will use the knowledge of the preceding
courses to design your own engineering project.

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The TUDelft MicroMasters Solar Energy Engineering
will equip you with the knowledge you need

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to start or make progress in your career in solar energy.

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Let’s look at the learning objectives
of each of the courses in some more detail.

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It starts with PV1x, for which I will be
one of the lecturers for this course.

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I will be joined by Professor Miro Zeman and
associate Professor René van Swaaij.

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PV1x is all about the conversion of light
to electrical energy.

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You will master semiconductor physics necessary
to understand solar cell performance and engineering.

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You will create an understanding of the light
management tools that are necessary to design

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an optimal solar cell.

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After taking this course you will understand
the principles behind the photovoltaic devices

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and you’ll be able to model
all aspects of a working solar cell,

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understand the efficiency limits and the design rules.

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We will apply these skills in PV Technologies.

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The instructors for this course are
Rene van Swaaij and myself.

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In this course, you will develop an in-depth knowledge of
the various wafer based and thin film PV technologies.

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We will look into different semiconductor materials,
such as crystalline silicon,

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thin film amorphous silicon, 2-6 materials
like Cadmium telluride and CIGS,

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3-5 materials like gallium-arsenide and also organic PV,
such as dye sensitized solar cells and perovskites.

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You will obtain an in-depth understanding
of the entire crystalline silicon solar cell landscape

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including cutting edge monocrystalline
based solar cells.

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In addition you will learn about the various module
architectures employed for thin film technologies,

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such as the thin film silicon micromorph structure,
and high performance gallium arsenide solar cells.

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Finally, you will obtain the ability to design
the concepts and fabrication processes

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of various photovoltaic technologies,
and the characterization of the module performance.

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In the third course of the MicroMasters
we will use the PV technologies to design a PV system.

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The instructors for this course are assistant professor
Olindo Isabella and Doctor Ravi Vasudevan.

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In this course you will learn to understand
and model the effects of the position of the sun

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and solar irradiance on PV module performance.

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You will create an in-depth understanding
of all the components required to design a PV system,

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including inverters, DC-DC converters,
batteries, charge controllers and cables.

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You will also learn about the economics of PV-systems.

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After taking this course you will be able
to design a PV-system for any scale,

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ranging from rural stand-alone systems,
to grid connected residential rooftop systems

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and utility scale solar power plants.
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In PV4x we will integrate the PV systems in microgrids.

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The instructors for this course are
Professor Pavol Bauer,

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assistant professor Laura Ramirez
and Doctor Seyedmahdi Izadkhast.

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You will obtain an in-depth knowledge
of the integration of PV in the grid at different levels

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and understand the motivations and
challenges for the implementation of DC microgrids.

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After taking this course, you will be able
to understand the operation of centralized,

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distributed, and decentralized control and design
various protection strategies applicable in microgrids.

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The final course is the Capstone Project.

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Here you will apply the knowledge you gained
in the previous four courses to a solar energy project.

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You will work on either your own project
or on a project provided by the course team.

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These projects can be focused on
design, analysis, monitoring

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or integration of any photovoltaic application.

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Your project will be judged by one of the Professors.

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The regular course content for Pv1x to Pv4x
is available for free.

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By upgrading to ID-verified status for one of the courses

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you will get access
to the proctored exam of that course.

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If you pass the exam
and complete with a sufficient score,

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you will get a verified certificate
of completion for that course.

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If you complete and successfully earn a Verified
Certificate in all four courses plus the Capstone Project,

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you earn the Solar Energy Engineering
MicroMasters credential.

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With this credential you can apply to the Master of
Science program Sustainable Energy Technology (SET)

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or the Master of Science program Electrical Engineering

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(track: Electrical Power Engineering) at TU Delft.

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You will need to go through the regular
admission procedures for MSc students

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and meet the entry requirements
for those MSc programs.
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If you are admitted, you will be exempted
from courses that are equivalent to the courses

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that you completed in the MicroMasters program.

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Besides the regular content,
the courses feature some additional content.

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Each course features a live webinar, in which
you the students can interact live with the course team.

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The webinar generally includes
a behind the scenes tour at the TU Delft,

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an interview with a titan of industry and an interactive
discussion in which the course team treats

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the issues introduced by the students.

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The ID-verified students
also have access to the Challenges.

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The challenges are topical issues, where the
course team interacts with the ID-verified students.

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Each challenge is concluded with a feedback video.

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Thanks for the interest in the Solar Energy
Engineering MicroMasters!

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I hope to see you back in one of the courses!