The University of New South Wales

go to UNSW home page

Undergraduate Handbook

PRINT THIS PAGE
Photovoltaics in the Built Environment - SOLA3010
 Students on quad lawn

   
   
   
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 4
 
 
Fee Band: 2 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
  

Description

There is currently significant interest in reducing energy use and greenhouse gas production in buildings by designing buildings that are climate-appropriate, implementing energy efficiency measures and producing energy from renewable sources. Photovoltaics (PV) is one of the few renewable electricity generation options that can be readily used in urban areas and has no environmental impacts at the site. This course will examine the use of PV in the urban environment, with a particular focus on the intergration of PV modules into the building envelope. The design of energy efficient buildings, building thermal and lighting performance and solar access will be introduced as an appropriate context for the use of PV. A competency in the use of building energy simulation software will be developed. Technical issues associated with the use of PV in buildings and the urban environment, such as heat transfer processes, partial shading and mismatch and system siting, sizing and configuration will be investigated. Students will tackle urban design problems that require balancing architectural and human requirements with the functional constraints of PV technology. Examples of PV products for buildings and the urban environment will be studied and system performance assessment and prediction will be introduced.

URL for this page:

© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.