Solar Energy: Capstone Project

Course details

Use the knowledge of Photovoltaic technology, systems and microgrids to design your own engineering project. This project-based course finalizes the Solar Energy Engineering MicroMasters program and focuses on applying the knowledge you gained to a solar energy project. You will work on either your own project or on a project provided by the course team. These projects can be focused on design, analysis, monitoring or integration of any photovoltaic application. First, you will write a short project plan describing the project and the orientation of your work. After approval, you will execute your project. Your final product is a written paper on the results of your project. This paper will be peer reviewed and assessed by a professor. You will also defend your project in an oral presentation. You will be assessed on your ability to justify design choices, to critically analyze the performance of systems, to find creative solutions and to show the potential of your solution. Finding a sponsor for your project within a company, institute or university is encouraged. This is the last course of the Solar Energy Engineering MicroMasters Program designed to cover all physics and engineering aspects of photovoltaics: photovoltaic energy conversion, technologies and systems. You can start the capstone project after completing PV1x, PV2x and PV3x. However, you will need the knowledge and skills gained in PV4x to complete the final module of this course, the oral presentation. Note: The capstone project is only accessible for ID verified MicroMasters learners. Updated on 17 September, 2019