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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Solar Energy Basics by The State University of New York

4.8
stars
2,400 ratings

About the Course

This course gives you an introduction to the fundamentals of solar power as it applies to solar panel system installations. You will learn to compare solar energy to other energy resources and explain how solar panels, or photovoltaics (PV for short), convert sunlight to electricity. You will be able to identify the key components needed in a basic photovoltaic (solar panel) system, such as is found on a house or building, and explain the function of each component in the system. You will also learn how to calculate the electrical demand of a building, how to reduce the overall demand, and then how to design a solar panel system that can meet that annual demand at a given location. You will also compare the different types of pricing models that are being used and key regulatory considerations for grid tied systems (where a house or building is connected to the electrical grid and also generates electricity from solar panels). A capstone design project that entails both the simple audit of a building to determine demand, and a selection of components to design a solar panel system to meet that demand....

Top reviews

EL

Oct 4, 2020

Aprendi mucho en este curso. Los videos explicativos del profesor hacen que todo sea de facil entendimiento. El conocimiento adquirido he podido aplicarlo en mi actual area de trabajo. Muy recomendado

A

Jun 17, 2020

I would like to thank you and your team for this great course, I'm really appreciated, it was very helpful as starting in this field, and I will be the first one who will take all your next courses

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51 - 75 of 791 Reviews for Solar Energy Basics

By Rockstar's V

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Jul 17, 2020

This course helped me a lot and also brushed up my knowledge on some aspects where i was weak. Perfect one for the beginners and intermediate learners.

By Ganesh E

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Sep 5, 2020

good course it will help u in your final year projects if your dealing with any renewable sources and it gives you a idea pf what future could be .

By Abhishek g

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Jun 12, 2020

Very good corse for the ones who have a keen interest in Solar Energy Sector! The explanation by the instructor is very lucid and upto the mark.

By Rohit S

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Jun 10, 2020

It was very good and I got lot of exposure in world of Solar energy and alternate renewable energy resources. It was very nice experience.

By TEWODROS A S

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May 5, 2020

i get to know more about solar PV in this online program. the teaching mechanism is good and as well as the instructor is perfect. thanks

By Syed M B R

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Jun 3, 2020

It was probably the best and interesting course that i have come across coursera . The instructor was just awesome. Meda salam akhae

By Eamon D

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May 3, 2020

Excellent Course. Learned a lot. Maybe it was just me but I certainly needed a lot more than 2.5 hrs per week but time well spent.

By orchi g

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Jun 21, 2020

One of the best courses. The instructor made it more easy to get all the difficult points. Very helpful for future implementation.

By Salman F S

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May 3, 2020

This course will help you to learn from basics of pv to expertise in energy audits and solar panel requirements in required area.

By Bhushan P

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Jul 17, 2020

These course is very helpful for the electrical and mechanical engineering to understand the basics of solar panel installation.

By Vaibhavsing D P

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Jun 15, 2020

Excellent course to gain knowledge regarding Solar Energy.All things included in this course from Installation to Certification.

By chebrolu b

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May 20, 2020

I have learned a lot especially through capstone project.

Thank you Dr. Neal Abrams

for make this Course useful and effective.

By Pompilia B

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Oct 13, 2019

Not focused on what I thought it will be. Quizzes that ask you question after question about the history pf PV in USA and certifications and which institution offer what certification and which certification depends on you being a qualified technician - I DON'T CARE. This isn't what I signed up for and I will not be paying to get a certification because I do not want to go through the pain of filling a 15 questions quizz about this.

By C B

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Aug 22, 2021

Course gave a great overview of the basics of solar and how to perform calculations to determine what type of system would be best. Instructor did a great job of explaining the different components needed within a solar system to include inverters for conversion from DC to AC, the disconnects between the AC and DC power for on grid systems as well as off grid systems which use battery power instead of utility power. Even explains where a system can be installed on ground as a stand-alone system or even on a roof without penetrating the roof. Each section had a quiz which helped reinforce key learning areas. Instructor also explained different careers within solar which includes finance, engineering, installers, and sales. My main takeaway is that when solar generates enough power, you are putting energy back into the grid but there is a limit to how much because no one can essentially replace the utility company when on grid.

By Sayed M

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Oct 2, 2020

Thanks for helping us to know about some thing about renewable energy . Before this course , I was only familiar with two things of renewable energy such as hydro electric and nuclear energy.I didn't know the huge advancement of solar energy where before invention of photovoltic transformation in this process the success is not acceptable.After ther invention of silicon as a photo voltic transforming particle this site see the unbelieveable success. It's one of the amazing things that only 100 years later it's efficiency increase more than 100% and cost also reduce 98%. This course is totally awesome for all of us.Thanks a lot again.

By Manosh C H

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May 10, 2021

This course enabled me to calculate an efficient PV system for any given residential or industrial complex. In this course, the instructor clearly explained different types of solar panels, how to calculate the load of a given system, how to calculate a PV system, etc. I highly recommend it for those who want to learn about solar system designing and implementation. Also, in the capstone project, I designed my own solar PV system for my home which was the best part.

By N. S S

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Sep 17, 2020

As a professional from the Sustainable field, The Solar Energy Basics course has been extremely helpful in enhancing my understanding and skills of the calculations & conversions of photovoltaics. This course was informative, well presented, and graspable. I would like to thank The State University of New York & Mr. Neil Abrahams for his effort in teaching us explicitly. I'm grateful to Coursera for this opportunity.

By Antonio M

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Sep 17, 2020

It has been a perfect course to get started in the world of renewable energy and especially in photovoltaics. The course is very well organized, you can follow the explanations and the instructor is very competent. The capstone project is very well planned and in addition to practicing the contents of the course you have the opportunity to review the work of other students from different parts of the world.

By Alejandro T

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Oct 26, 2020

Very useful course if you want to have a basic overview of Solar Energy. It provides complete information about installation of PV Systems, photovoltaics history, calculations theory, the market of solar energy worldwide and future of renewables and certification.

I recommend this course to anyone who wants to start in the solar energy industry or gain a good knowledge on the subject.

By Orestis P

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Jan 19, 2021

The course helped me a lot to understand some basic knowledge of Solar Energy! The professor's transmissibility was very good, everything was well explained, easy for me to understand! I highly recommend this course for anyone who wants to know more about Photovoltaics! I will follow also other courses of Neal Abrams he is doing a great job!

By Kaustubha A W

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Sep 29, 2020

This course was extremely educational! It covers all the mentioned topics very well. My expectations of learning about solar systems were met and exceeded as it also taught me about how to apply the knowledge real world situations. The knowledge I gained in this course will help me tremendously to proceed seeking a career in Photovoltaics!

By Monika R

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Apr 28, 2021

I was always heaving a headache when it came to maths and calculating and any kind of a technical stuff. This course is so friendly and explains solar energy basics so clearly I was actually having fun, also doing the final project. It made me believe that some of my skills actually exist. Thanks a lot!

By Rajkumar Y

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Jul 4, 2021

The course was very good and very effective.Now I can easily calculate the energy required for my home and can also calculate the solar panels required for that.The lecture was very easy to understand and brilliant.The professor did very well and after the lectures I can easily solve the questions.

By Dorji

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Nov 29, 2021

Clear introduction to the basics of solar photovoltaics. Just the right amount of basic math for those allergic to calculus.

World stats on solar installation and electricity production need to be updated (in 2020, it was already twice a much as in the original course, about 700 GW installed).

By Kumar, G

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May 8, 2022

Course is designed to provide basic information about the Solar Technology with related theory and calculations. Assigned time frame is perfect and contents are very much designed in the way to receive to the attendees in easy manner. I would like to attend more courses.