Master’s Programme in Solar Energy Engineering120 Credits

Second level education shall essentially build on the knowledge that students acquire in first level education or corresponding knowledge. Second level education shall involve a deepening of knowledge, skills and abilities relative to first level education and, in addition to what applies to first level education, shall

• further develop the students’ ability to independently integrate and use knowledge,
• develop the students’ ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students’ potential for professional activities that demand considerable independence or for research and development work.  

Knowledge and Understanding

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and Skills

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss their  conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and Approach

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for their  ongoing learning.

On completion of the programme, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

• demonstrate in-depth understanding of various solar energy technologies in terms of physical processes and mathematical models for energy output in the conversion of solar radiation into electrical or thermal energy,
• demonstrate in-depth understanding of how solar technologies can be integrated into a range of system types that meet the different supply needs in society at different scales, and
• demonstrate in-depth understanding of how storage can be used to enhance the integration of solar energy into energy systems.

Competence and Skills

• demonstrate the ability, using a scientific approach, to theoretically, experimentally and independently understand and analyse both solar energy systems as well as the function of individual components and their interrelations,
• demonstrate the ability to independently design and size solar energy systems in terms of technical  components, climate, energy demands, and other relevant conditions using relevant software, and
• demonstrate the ability to process and both critically and systematically analyse the relevant data for solar energy applications and evaluate the reliability of the results.

Judgement and Approach

• demonstrate the ability to evaluate the technical, social, economic and ethical barriers to and driving forces behind the implementation of solar energy technologies, and
• evaluate how solar energy solutions can contribute towards a transition to a sustainable society from social, economic and environmental perspectives.

This programme aims to prepare students to work in the solar energy industry and/or to conduct research in the fields of solar electricity and solar thermal technologies and systems.

The courses in the first two semesters of the programme are the core courses in solar radiation, solar energy technologies and system design and general topics on energy storage, economics and energy transition. The courses are identical to the equivalent courses in the one-year Master’s programme.

The courses in the first semester impart theoretical knowledge of solar energy technology, such as the technical basics of components and subsystems for the use of solar energy in the production of electricity, sustainable heating and energy storage, and how solar energy can be used directly in buildings and on large scales.

In the first project course, this theoretical knowledge will be applied to the processing and visualisation of data from solar energy components and/or systems.

The second semester starts with three courses: Solar Economics and PV Asset Management; PV On-grid System Design; and Sustainable Heating System Design . These cover the functional design and economics of photovoltaic and solar thermal systems for different application areas and for a range of geographical and techno-economical boundary conditions. These courses build on and progress from the courses in the first semester. 

In addition, to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical competence the courses titled Project Course 2 provides knowledge on measurement techniques and Installation of PV Systems and Off-grid System Design covers practical aspects of the installation of a solar energy system.

The courses in the third semester focus on the integration of components into both technical and business contexts (Electrical Storage Systems and Services and Grid Integration of Renewable Power) and expand the scope to a higher system level (Urban Energy Systems and Sustainability of Solar Energy Systems). They thus offer a progression from the earlier courses while giving students essential knowledge about integration into existing business and technological  structures.

There is one elective course that is specific to the programme that is available as a 7.5 or 15 credit course. This is an internship where the student works on a specific task in a company that applies the knowledge they gained during the first year of the programme.

The thesis work can be carried out at a university / college, or at a business or other organisation in Sweden or abroad.

Year 1:
Electrical Storage Technology and Conversion Technology*, 5 credits
Energy Transition in Society*, 5 credits
Installation of PV Systems and Off-grid System Design*, 5 credits
Project Course 1 – Data Analysis for Solar Energy Systems*, 5 credits
Project Course 2 – Measurement Systems*, 5 credits
PV On-grid System Design*, 7.5 credits
PV Technology*, 5 credits
Solar Economics and PV Asset Management*, 7.5 credits
Solar Radiation and Solar Geometry*, 5 credits
Sustainable Heating System Design*, 5 credits
Sustainable Heating Technology*, 5 credits

Year 2:
Degree Thesis in Solar Energy Engineering*, 30 credits
Electrical Storage Systems and Services, 5 credits
Grid Integration of Renewable Power, 7.5 credits
Project Course 3 – Group Project and Communication*, 5 credits
Sustainability of Solar Energy Systems*, 5 credits
Urban Energy Systems, 7.5 credits

*Courses required to meet the learning outcomes of the programme

Elective course:
Solar Engineering Internship, 7.5 or 15 credits (summer course)