Education in the field of photovoltaics in the Czech Republic Prof. Vitezslav Benda Department Electrotechnology Czech Technical University in Prague
Photovoltaics is one of the most dynamically growing industries at the present time World production The biggest PV market is in Europe The target 3 GW p will be reached in 2007, 6 GW p is expected in 2010 That will require people to be educated in photovoltaics Several tens of thousands of new jobs are likely to be created in the field of photovoltaics in the next five years
Czech Republic 78000 km 2, population: 10.3 millions
In Czech Republic Since 2005 after introducing feed-in tariff increased demand for PV system projects and realisation
ASPECTS OF EDUCATION IN PHOTOVOLTAICS Photovoltaics is a relatively very complicated subject. Understanding solar cell and solar modules function needs relatively broad knowledge from the field of:! material physics and technology! solar cell structure and technology both power and control electronics energy storage technology Some basic knowledge solar physics and meteorology are very important for proper system projection and realisation.
materials cell physics and technology module technology physicists chemists technologists converters electrical engineers applications architects designers and installers utility engineers
The education system in the Czech Republic non-compulsory pre-schooling 9-year primary schools 3 or 4 years of secondary education of various forms and types university studies - bachelor level - master level - PhD level Qualification courses for graduated
Propagation and basic information Sun to School programme Demonstration of PV for young generation and for the public Education tool Initiate a creation of research and development activities at universities Improving of experience with grid connection
200 W p systems at more than 600 primary schools 1.2 kw p systems at secondary schools at more than 40 secondary schools Education of teachers is very important
Program Powered by Sun There is yearly organized program for secondary school students and Czech championship called Powered by Sun. Participating students or teams study a photovoltaic system problems, build a simple small car robot powered by 1dm 2 photovoltaic panel and then adjust the parameters of control electronic to reach maximal speed of robot.
At 8 universities were built more power systems 1 3 kw p 6 20 kw p 2 40 kw p
Education in PV at universities Mostly, photovoltaics is mentioned in lectures on environmental problems Specialised courses on photovoltaic systems are organised at Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Electrical Engineering since 1995 Since 2005 course on Photovoltaic systems forms part of the master study programme in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the CTU in Prague
Synopsis of lectures on Photovoltaic Systems Week content 1. Solar energy and basic forms of its exploitation 2. Ways of conversion of solar energy into electrical energy 3. Solar thermal systems 4. Photovoltaic effect 5. Solar cells, basic structure and characteristics 6. Single-crystalline, poly-crystalline and thin film solar cells 7. Construction and technology of high-efficient solar cells 8. Construction and technology of modules 9. Photovoltaic systems basic types 10. Stand alone systems 11. Grid-on systems, system operating conditions 12. Energy storage for photovoltaic systems 13. Photochemical cells and fuel cells. 14. Economical and ecological aspects of photovoltaics
Synopsis of practical exercises Week content 1. Organisation, introduction 2. Laboratory measurements on solar cells explanation 3. Comparison of V-A characteristics of different types of solar cells 4. Influence of series resistance on characteristics of solar cells 5. Influence of parallel resistance of solar cells 6. Temperature dependence of solar cell parameters, 1. check test 7. Fabrication of silicon solar cells explanation with samples 8. Laboratory measurements on solar cells explanation 9. Measurements of solar module characteristics 10. Measurements on a solar module dc load system 11. Measurements on a solar module regulator battery dc load system 12. Measurements on a solar module dc/dc dc/ac system 13. Photovoltaic system design (simulation) 14. Final test
Another course of similar length on Photovoltaic Systems has been included in the master study programme in Intelligent Buildings, which will be opened at the Czech Technical University in the 2007/2008 academic year There are cooperation links with some other European Universities Lectures on Photovoltaic systems are given also in English for students coming to study at the Czech Technical University in the framework of ERASMUS programme Teachers from the CTU Prague participate also in preparing lectures at European Summer School on Solar Energy in Patra (Greece), PhD. course on Photovoltaics in Aalborg (Denmark) and in using ICT tools for education in the field of Photovoltaics.
Graduate level materials cell physics and technology module technology physicists chemists technologists converters electrical engineers applications architects designers and installers utility engineers
4th INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON TEACHING IN PHOTOVOLTAICS IWTPV'08 Prague, 27-28 March 2008