The Solar Resource

Code: EME10368M

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Renewable Energy Engineering

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

Solar radiation from the point of view of the Resource, from the source to the top of the atmosphere and the surface, taking into account the relevant atmospheric processes. Includes measurements.

Sustainable Development Goals

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Energias renováveis e acessíveis - Garantir acesso à energia barata, confiável, sustentável e renovável para todos.

Ação climática - Tomar medidas urgentes para combater a mudança climática e seus impactos (*).

Learning Goals

Understanding the fundamentals of solar radiation.
Know how to estimate solar radiation at the top of the Earth's atmosphere.
Know the main instruments for measuring solar radiation, and know how to assemble, calibrate and collect data.
Understand the mechanisms of radiative transfer in the atmosphere.
Identify the various components of solar radiation at the surface and their importance for solar energy systems.
Identify the various components of solar radiation from observations.
Know how to estimate and analyze direct normal radiation at different levels (including at the Earth's surface).
Know how to use radiative transfer models.

1. The Solar Constant
The Sun
Black body emission
Radiative emission from the sun
The spectral composition of the solar constant
2. Earth-Sun astronomical relations
Earth's orbit
solar day
Equation of time
Solar coordinates
Local coordinates
Sunrise and sunset
Heat stroke
Solar radiation incident on inclined surfaces
?Sun-trackers?
3. Interaction of solar radiation with the Earth's atmosphere
Composition and vertical structure of the atmosphere
Temperature, Pressure and Humidity
Variations of atmospheric constituents
Absorption, scattering and reflection of radiation in the atmosphere
The energy balance
Radiative transfer in the atmosphere
Direct solar radiation
Diffuse solar radiation
Global solar radiation
Atmospheric radiation
Approximations for global solar radiation
4. Solar radiation available at the surface
Observations of solar radiation on the Earth's surface
Instrumental calibration
Modeling and forecasting solar radiation at the Earth's surface
Radiative transfer codes.

Teaching Methods

Activities of a diverse nature are carried out to promote relevant learning based on problem solving and the use of the computer as a tool for calculation and use of models. This also includes the installation of at least one sensor for measuring solar radiation (usually a pyranometer), as well as monitoring/maintenance of the installation, data collection and system calibration.
The student's independent work must include reading some texts, solving problems and preparing the work proposed throughout the semester.
There is oral communication and development of a critical spirit, through presentations of work, discussion and participation, self-evaluation and criticism in the presentation of the work of other colleagues. Collaborative work is encouraged through group work and problem solving in groups.

Assessment

Continuous assessment is carried out through two assignments throughout the semester and an exam at the end of the semester. The work has a formative assessment, with a preview of the work and presentation during the class, allowing the student to improve the indicated aspects and then present the final written version.
Each of the works has a weight of 25% in the evaluation and the exam accounts for the remaining 50%.
In cases where the student opts for a final assessment, an exam will be carried out at the end of the semester.
In both cases, the student will also have an appeal period and if they have opted for continuous assessment throughout the semester, the appeal exam is worth 50% and the work done throughout the semester is worth another 50%.