(This workshop replaces the 'Photovoltaic Workshop for Teachers')

INTRODUCTION

The human population of the earth is now approximately 6 billion and all of these inhabitants want the energy necessary to sustain or improve their lives. Exactly how much energy is required to meet these needs? One certainty is that the conventional energy resources on the earth is limited, while the global energy demand will be increased significantly due to rapid economic growth of developing countries like China and India.

Fortunately, there exists one energy resource, solar, which is almost inexhaustible and environmental friendly.  To-date, solar energy has been harnessed successfully to generate heat energy and electrical energy. Converting solar energy directly to electricity through photovoltaic (PV) technology has been accepted worldwide as a potential alternative to conventional power generation. Producing electricity with PV emits no pollution, produces no greenhouse gases and uses no finite fossil fuel resources.

SCOPE

This 1-day workshop provides a basic understanding on the fundamentals of solar energy, and photovoltaic (PV) conversion. Participants will learn how a basic PV system works and its applications. A list of possible PV projects for schools will also be explored and discussed.  The workshop will end with a site visit to view a photovoltaic installation close-up.

COURSE OBJECTIVE

The workshop aims to build greater awareness of solar technologies and increase appreciation of the benefits of solar energy. Participants will learn concepts and skills necessary to develop PV-related projects to educate the younger generation on how to harness solar power and protect the environment.

TOPICS

• Environmental issue and PV market

• Solar Energy and Spectrum

• Solar radiation on the Earth and measurement

• Physics of Solar Cell

• Solar Cell and PV Module

• Structure of a PV system and main components

• Basic Principle of An Electrical Circuit

• How to select a solar cell
  or a PV module

• Possible PV projects for school

• Examples of PV systems and
  its applications

• PV Site Visit

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Educators, teachers and anyone interested to learn about Photovoltaics or initiating Photovoltaic projects. Some knowledge of physics and/or engineering will be helpful.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Dr Jiang Fan
Manager of Technology Centre of Energy Conservation, Singapore Polytechnic

Dr. Jiang Fan, Ph.D., Msc, B.Sc., MIEEE, MIEE, graduated from Electrical Engineering Department of Fuzhou University, China. He achieved MSc in Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI) of China and Ph.D. in The Robert Gordon University, UK. Recently, he is a senior lecturer in School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Singapore Polytechnic and manager of Technology centre of Clean Energy. He is in charge of new diploma course in Clean Energy, three solar systems with the total capacity of 31kWp and other energy conservation projects. Currently he is heavily involved in EDB clean energy project, ‘Clean Energy Research Testbedding (CERT)’. His main areas include electrical power transmission and distribution system, high voltage engineering, protective relays, renewable energy (solar and wind energy), microprocessor and instrumentation. He has published seventy-one journal and conference technical papers in his research areas.