Meet Your Instructors:

Marijn Janssen

Claudia Werker

Scott Cunningham
Meet Your Instructors:

Annemiek van Boeijen

Jaap J.J. Daalhuizen
Learner testimonials
About this course:
Photovoltaic systems are often placed into a microgrid, a local electricity distribution system that is operated in a controlled way and includes both electricity users and renewable electricity generation. This course deals with DC and AC microgrids and covers a wide range of topics, from basic definitions, through modelling and control of AC and DC microgrids to the application of adaptive protection in microgrids. You will master various concepts related to microgrid technology and implementation, such as smart grid and virtual power plant, types of distribution network, markets, control strategies and components. Among the components special attention is given to operation and control of power electronics interfaces.
What You Will Learn:
- Difference between a microgrid, a passive distribution grid and a virtual power plant
- Ancillary services provided by microgrids and PV
- Operation of centralized and decentralized control, forecasting, and evaluation of different market policies through a case study
- Operation of active power control and voltage regulation
- Different layouts and topologies of microgrids and power electronic components, and the role of power electronics converters in microgrids
- Microgrid protection, adaptive protection, and the consequences of using a fault current source and fault current limitation
- Main motivations and challenges for the implementation of DC microgrids
- Verified learners will have the added benefit of evaluating different strategies to control multiple inverters and to analyze local control to improve stability.
Prerequisites
- Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering and/or the successful completion of PV1xPV2xand PV3x (or firm grasp of their content).
- In order to carry out the assignments in the course, you will need to install a free software which requires a 64-bit computer, 4 GB ram and 5-6 GB of hard-drive space.
- Operating systems supported: Window 7 or newer, OSX 10.10 (Yosemite) or newer, Ubuntu 14.04 or 16.04.

MicroMasters® Program in Solar Energy Engineering
Master the technical knowledge needed for a career in solar energy
Meet Your Instructors:

Seyedmahdi Izadkhast

Laura Ramirez

Pavol Bauer
About this course:
In this course you will learn how to turn solar cells into full modules; and how to apply full modules to full photovoltaic systems.
The course will widely cover the design of photovoltaic systems, such as utility scale solar farms or residential scale systems (both on and off the grid). You will learn about the function and operation of various components including inverters, batteries, DC-DC converters and their interaction with both the modules and the grid.
What You Will Learn:
- How to design a PV system ranging from a residential rooftop system to a utility scale solar farm taking in to account:
- The effects of the position of the sun and solar irradiance on PV module performance Components of a PV system:
- PV modules, inverters, DC-DC converters, batteries, charge controllers and cables
- The economics and impact on the grid of PV systems
- Audit learners can develop their skills and knowledge in relation to the above learning objectives by having access to the video lectures, a limited number of practice exercises and discussion forums.
- Verified learners are offered a number of study tools to demonstrate they have mastered the learning objectives. They will have access to all exercises: practice, graded and exams.
Prerequisites
- Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering and/or the successful completion of PV1x and PV2x (or firm grasp of their content).

MicroMasters® Program in Solar Energy Engineering
Master the technical knowledge needed for a career in solar energy
Meet Your Instructors:

Olindo Isabella

Ravi Vasudevan
About this course:
The technologies used to produce solar cells and photovoltaic modules are advancing to deliver highly efficient and flexible solar panels. In this course you will explore the main PV technologies in the current market. You will gain in-depth knowledge about crystalline silicon based solar cells (90% market share) as well as other emerging technologies including CdTe, CIGS and Perovskites. This courseprovides answers to the questions: How are solar cells made from raw materials? Which technologies have the potential to be the major players for different applications in the future?
What You Will Learn:
- Design concepts and fabrication processes of various photovoltaic technologies, In-depth knowledge on the entire crystalline silicon solar cell landscape including, Market-leading polycrystalline based cells
- High efficiency/cutting edge monocrystalline based solar cells
- Application of thin film solar cells, like CIGS, CdTe, thin-film silicon, Perovskites, Concentrated PV and space applications for III/V semiconductor based solar cells.
- Audit learners can develop their skills and knowledge in relation to the above learning objectives by having access to the video lectures, a limited number of practice exercises and discussion forum.
- Verified learners are offered a number of study tools to demonstrate they have mastered the learning objectives. They will have access to all exercises: practice, graded and exam questions.
Prerequisites
- Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering and/or the successful completion of PV1x (or firm grasp of its content).

MicroMasters® Program in Solar Energy Engineering
Master the technical knowledge needed for a career in solar energy
Meet Your Instructors:

Arno Smets

Miro Zeman

René van Swaaij
About this course:
The key factor in getting more efficient and cheaper solar energy panels is the advance in the development of photovoltaic cells. In this course you will learn how photovoltaic cells convert solar energy into useable electricity. You will also discover how to tackle potential loss mechanisms in solar cells. By understanding the semiconductor physics and optics involved, you will develop in-depth knowledge of how a photovoltaic cell works under different conditions. You will learn how to model all aspects of a working solar cell. For engineers and scientists working in the photovoltaic industry, this course is an absolute must to understand the opportunities for solar cell innovation.
What You Will Learn:
- The principles behind the potential loss mechanisms in photovoltaic devices
- The semiconductor physics necessary to understand solar cell performance and engineering
- The optics and light management tools necessary for optimal solar cell design
- To model all aspects of a working solar cell, understanding the efficiency limits and design rules
- Audit learners can develop their skills and knowledge in relation to the above learning objectives by having access to the video lectures, a limited number of practice exercises and discussion forums.
- Verified learners are offered a number of study tools to demonstrate they have mastered the learning objectives. They will have access to all exercises: practice, graded and exam questions.
Prerequisites
- Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering or the successful completion of TU Delft’s MOOC Solar Energy

MicroMasters® Program in Solar Energy Engineering
Master the technical knowledge needed for a career in solar energy
Meet Your Instructors:

Arno Smets

Miro Zeman

René van Swaaij
Program overview
Solar energy technology use is expanding rapidly. The Solar Photovoltaic (PV) sector is the largest and fastest growing renewable energy employer worldwide with an increasing need for experts that can support this growth.
In this MicroMasters program you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in the solar energy field and become a successful solar energy professional. This program will teach you what is expected from solar experts, and will prepare you for employment in various capacities including:
- Systems design and engineering
- Solar systems installation
- Device fabrication and characterization
- QA and reliability testing
- Project management and consultancy as well as (technical) sales
What will you learn
- The physics of and how to model all aspects of a working solar cell: performance, efficiency limits and design rules.
- Design concepts and fabrication processes of various photovoltaic (PV) technologies and applications.
- How to evaluate components of a PV system: PV modules, inverters, DC-DC converters, batteries, charge controllers and cables.
- Application techniques for designing a PV system ranging from a residential rooftop system to a utility scale solar farm.
- Design concepts of microgrids that include PV systems.
- How to assess the economics and ecology of PV systems and communicate these accordingly.
Program Class List
1Solar Energy: Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Conversion
Course Details
2Solar Energy: Photovoltaic (PV) Technologies
Course Details
3Solar Energy: Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
Course Details
4Solar Energy: Integration of Photovoltaic Systems in Microgrids
Course Details
5Solar Energy Engineering: Comprehensive Exams
Course Details
Meet Your Instructors

Arno Smets

Miro Zeman

René van Swaaij

Olindo Isabella

Ravi Vasudevan

Seyedmahdi Izadkhast

Laura Ramirez

Pavol Bauer
About This Course:
In this course you will gain access to two final exams. The first exam covers the content of PV1x and PV2x, and the second exam covers the content of PV3x and PV4x. For each exam you are given two attempts. You will be given exam preparation material to help you prepare.
The exams are offered in the format of proctored exams. To read more about proctored exam and to review the technical requirements, review the edX’s help pages.
What You Will Learn:
- The various methods of converting solar energy into electricity, heat and solar fuels
- The physical working principles of photovoltaic conversion in solar cells
- How to recognize and describe the various solar cell technologies, their current status and future technological challenges
- How to analyze the performance of solar cells and modules How to design a complete photovoltaic system for any particular application on paper
Prerequisites:
- Basic knowledge of physics and mathematical skills, such as integration and differentiation, are preferred.

MicroMasters® Program in Solar Energy Engineering
Master the technical knowledge needed for a career in solar energy
Meet Your Instructors:

Arno Smets

Miro Zeman

René van Swaaij

Olindo Isabella
About this course
This course focuses on conventional technologies for drinking water treatment. Unit processes, involved in the treatment chain, are discussed as well as the physical, chemical and biological processes involved. The emphasis is on the effect of treatment on water quality and the dimensions of the unit processes in the treatment chain. After the course one should be able to recognise the process units, describe their function, and make basic calculations for a preliminary design of a drinking water treatment plant.
The course consists of 4 modules:
- Introduction to drinking water treatment. In this module you learn to describe the important disciplines, schemes and evaluation criteria involved in the design phase.
- Water quality. In this module you learn to identify the drinking water quality parameters to be improved and explain what treatment train or scheme is needed.
- Groundwater treatment. In this module you learn to calculate the dimensions of the groundwater treatment processes and draw groundwater treatment schemes.
- Surface water treatment. In this module you learn to calculate the dimensions of the surface water treatment processes and draw surface water treatment schemes.
This course in combination with the courses “Introduction to Water and Climate” and “Introduction to the Treatment of Urban Sewage” forms the Water XSeries, by DelftX.
What you’ll learn
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- Recognize the process units in urban water services, focusing on basic drinking water technologies
- Describe the function of these process units
- Describe the physical and chemical processes involved
- Make simple design calculations on drinking water treatment plants

XSeries Program in Water Management
Explore water management concepts and technologies
Meet Your Instructors

Luuk Rietveld

Doris van Halem
Program overview
Safe water supply and hygienic water treatment are prerequisites for the well-being of communities all over the world. This Water XSeries, offered by the water management experts of TU Delft, will give you a unique opportunity to gain access to world-class knowledge and expertise in this field.
This 3-course series will cover questions such as: How does climate change affect water cycle and public safety? How to use existing technologies to treat groundwater and surface water so we have safe drinking water? How do we take care of sewage produced in the cities on a daily basis? You will learn what are the physical, chemical and biological processes involved; carry out simple experiments at home; and have the chance to make a basic design of a drinking water treatment plant
What will you learn
- An understanding of the global water cycle and its various processes
- The mechanisms of climate change and their effects on water systems
- Drinking treatment and quality of groundwater and surfacewater
- The major pollutants that are present in the sewage
- The physical, chemical, and biological processes involved in water treatment and distribution
- How urban water services function and the technologies they use
Program Class List
1Urban Sewage Treatment
Course Details
2Drinking Water Treatment
Course Details
3Introduction to Water and Climate
Course Details
Meet Your Instructors

Caroline Katsman

Nick van de Giesen

Herman Russchenberg

Hubert Savenije

Marcel Stive

Luuk Rietveld

Doris van Halem

Anke Grefte

Jules van Lier
