Future Students - Undergraduate
Photovoltaics and Solar Energy
Given the current environment of social awareness about sustainability, this degree was an opportunity to be at the forefront of an emerging industry.
Scott Partlin, BE.
Scott was one of the first graduates of the program.
Photovoltaic Engineering focuses on the manufacture and use of PV modules and the implementation of PV systems for the purpose of powering virtually any electrical load. It covers a broad range of engineering tasks and disciplines but it can be summarised into 5 main areas.
- Device and system research and development.
- Manufacturing, quality control and reliability.
- PV system design (computer based), modelling, integration, analysis, implementation, fault diagnosis and monitoring.
- Policy, financing, marketing, management, consulting, training and education.
- Using the full range of renewable energy technologies including alternate energy technologies (such as wind, biomass and solar thermal) solar architecture, energy efficient building design and sustainable energy.
This program includes training in technology development, manufacturing, quality control, reliability and lifecycle analysis, cell interconnection and encapsulation, the full range of solar cell applications, system design, maintenance and fault diagnosis, marketing, policy development and the use of other renewable energy technologies. Considerable emphasis is placed on gaining hands-on experience of working with photovoltaic devices, modules and systems through undergraduate projects in a student’s second and fourth year. A program outline can be found by visiting the UNSW Online Handbook.
Two features particularly attract students to this program; the strand, a second area of specialisation, and the undergraduate projects offered.
The Strand
Honda Dream Solar Racing Car
The strand is a unique feature of our program which gives our students the opportunity to study a second area of specialisation of their choice. It comprises 18 units of credit which can be taken from any of the other engineering areas, architecture, environmental science, physics, mathematics, as long as it complements the students study of photovoltaics. Our School has established 10 possible strands which are published in the UNSW Online Handbook. However students are allowed to create their own strand with approval from the Undergraduate Coordinator.
The strand was included in our program as PV engineers need to possess broad engineering backgrounds due to the cross-disciplinary nature of photovoltaics and renewable energy applications. Furthermore, they often work in teams with other engineers where a broad knowledge base is beneficial. A good example of this is the Solar Car Project. This project involves electronics engineers, control engineers, mechanical engineers for the aerodynamics and mechanical design, chemical engineers for the battery technology, power engineers for motor technology, biomedical engineers for monitoring driver performance and fatigue, computer engineers, and communications engineers for telemetry.
Student Projects
Another unique feature of this program is that students undertake a project in their second year. Students may choose from a selection of available projects and must complete the project in a group. Examples of projects which students have been involved with include installing photovoltaic systems in Nicaragua and Nepal, designing and building a Biodiesel Trailer, creating a multimedia training video, working in the Thin Film processing laboratory, and investigating the possibility of solar powered bore water at UNSW. For more details about these projects, please see the Student Projects section of this website.
Assumed Knowledge
In order to successfully undertake this program, it is assumed that students have completed HSC Mathematics Extension 1 and HSC Physics, and it is recommended that they have completed HSC Chemistry. If students are concerned about their level of knowledge in these areas, bridging courses are available for students to complete before the commencement of session 1. Alternatively, please see staff in the School Office.
Industrial Training
Students must complete a minimum of 60 days of suitable industrial training as part of their program. This is completed as part of a Year 4 course on Ethics and Electrical Engineering Practice. At least some of a student's industrial training should be carried out in Australia with overseas employment requiring prior approval. Students are required to submit to the school evidence from their employers confirming completion of the prescribed training, and a report summarising the work done, training received, and the professional role of an engineer made apparent through the training.