EdX

Solar Resource Assessment in Desert Climates (edX)

Offered by Hamad Bin Khalifa University - HBKU, HBKUx,
Solar Resource Assessment in Desert Climates (edX)

Learn how to use the components of solar radiation, solar spectrum, forecasting and meteorology to advocate and plan for deploying PV in desert climates. Desert regions may seem optimal for solar energy and the deployment of photovoltaic (PV) applications. However, the heat and dust experienced in the region poses a challenge for the optimal performance of PV modules and reliability of the applications.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

In this course, you will learn how to mitigate these challenges by understanding the components of solar radiation and the characteristics of solar cells and the solar spectrum. You will also learn about forecasting and nowcasting and how this influences selecting a site for PV application. The economic impact of PV applications is a key area of interest and this course provides you with knowledge on the costs and benefits of solar energy from PV applications.
This course is part of the Solar Energy in Hot Desert Climates Professional Certificate.

What you'll learn

  • How to identify components of solar radiation and solar spectrum
  • How to analyse site specific data to determine the effect of atmospheric aerosols on surface irradiation
  • How to locate the most lucrative, effective and efficient sites for PV application
  • How to draw upon regional resources to conduct nowcasting and short-term forecasting
  • How to calculate the cost of energy from PV in hot desert environments and estimate its economic impact

Syllabus

Module 0:Getting Started
Module 1: Components of Solar Radiation and Solar Spectrum
Module 2: Assessment and Forecasting of Ground Irradiation, Monitoring of Air Quality, Meteorology and Challenges in Harsh Climates
Module 3: Site Selection Considerations for PV System Applications
Module 4: Assessing the Effect of Atmospheric Aerosols on Surface Irradiation
Module 5: Cost of Energy from PV Technology in Hot Desert Environments
Module 6: Techno- Economic Models of PV Technology Diffusion in Fossil-Fuel Rich Countries
Module 7: Consolidate yourLearning

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Foundations of Hotel Budgeting and Forecasting (Coursera) Coursera
Starweaver

Foundations of Hotel Budgeting and Forecasting (Coursera)

Management & Leadership Business

The "Foundations of Hotel Budgeting and Forecasting" course is designed to equip learners with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in the dynamic hospitality industry. As the industry continues to evolve, effective budgeting and forecasting have become imperative for hotel management. This course offers a comprehensive understanding of fundamental concepts, practices, and tools in hotel budgeting and forecasting, making it an ideal choice for various target learners.

Aug 17th 2026
4 Weeks
Budgeting Hotel Industry Forecasting
Details
Practical Time Series Analysis (Coursera) Coursera
The State University of New York

Practical Time Series Analysis (Coursera)

Statistics & Data Analysis Data Science

Many of us are "accidental" data analysts. We trained in the sciences, business, or engineering and then found ourselves confronted with data for which we have no formal analytic training. This course is designed for people with some technical competencies who would like more than a "cookbook" approach, but who still need to concentrate on the routine sorts of presentation and analysis that deepen the understanding of our professional topics.

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Statistics Probability Equations
Details
Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future (edX) EdX
Delft University of Technology,DelftX

Sustainable Energy: Design a Renewable Future (edX)

Engineering Sci: Energy & Earth Sciences

Learn how to make the transition to 100% renewable energy from wind, solar and biomass for electricity, heat and fuels for a sustainable future. A transition to sustainable energy is needed for our climate and welfare. In this engineering course, you will learn how to assess the potential for energy reduction and the potential of renewable energy sources like wind, solar and biomass. You’ll learn how to integrate these sources in an energy system, like an electricity network and take an engineering approach to look for solutions and design a 100% sustainable energy system.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Solar Wind Renewable Energy
Details
Solar Energy: Integration of Photovoltaic Systems in Microgrids (edX) EdX
Delft University of Technology,DelftX

Solar Energy: Integration of Photovoltaic Systems in Microgrids (edX)

Engineering Sci: Physics

Learn how to integrate a photovoltaic system into a microgrid of your design. 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.

Self Paced
5-12 Weeks
Solar Energy Photovoltaic System Photovoltaic Technologies
Details
Solar Energy: Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Conversion (edX) EdX
Delft University of Technology,DelftX

Solar Energy: Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Conversion (edX)

Engineering Sci: Physics

Learn how solar cells generate electricity, and about the semiconductor physics and optics required to design and manufacture solar cells. 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.

Self Paced
5-12 Weeks
Energy Semiconductors Solar Energy
Details
Silicon Thin Film Solar Cells (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique

Silicon Thin Film Solar Cells (Coursera)

Engineering

This course consists of a general presentation of solar cells based on silicon thin films. It is the third MOOC of the photovoltaic series of Ecole polytechnique on Coursera. The general aspects of the photovoltaic field are treated in "Photovoltaic Solar Energy". And the detailed description of the crystalline silicon solar cells can be found in "Physics of Silicon Solar Cells".

Aug 10th 2026
3 Weeks
Sustainability Solar Energy Solar Cells
Details
Solar Energy: Photovoltaic (PV) Technologies (edX) EdX
Delft University of Technology,DelftX

Solar Energy: Photovoltaic (PV) Technologies (edX)

Engineering Sci: Energy & Earth Sciences

Explore the main PV technologies in the current market. Get in-depth knowledge on the design and processing methods of solar cells. 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.

Self Paced
5-12 Weeks
Engineering Solar Energy Solar Cells
Details
Solar Energy 2 (edX) EdX
Delft University of Technology,DelftX

Solar Energy 2 (edX)

Engineering Sci: Energy & Earth Sciences

The growth in global PV capacity towards 100 Terawatt by 2050 requires a diverse portfolio of PV technologies. Apply the solar design rules to PV technologies and analyze them using metrics related to performance, costs, reliability and circularity. In the second course of the Solar Energy program, you will apply the design rules for a solar cell, mastered in the first course, on various photovoltaic (PV) technologies from cell up to module level.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Solar Energy Photovoltaic Photovoltaic Technologies
Details
Forecasting Techniques for Slow and Rapidly Changing Demand (edX) EdX
ISCEA

Forecasting Techniques for Slow and Rapidly Changing Demand (edX)

Management & Leadership Statistics & Data Analysis

Master quantitative, judgmental and causal models used to forecast seasonal, intermittent, and new product future demand. Choose the right forecasting method for all kinds of demand patterns and sales data. Learn how to deal with randomness and low forecastability; missing data, outliers, and overfitting. Separate forecasting myths from reality and mitigate the risk of inaccurate forecasts.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Machine Learning Randomness Forecasting
Details
Photovoltaic solar energy (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique

Photovoltaic solar energy (Coursera)

Engineering Sci: Energy & Earth Sciences

The course is an introduction to the photovoltaic (PV) applications in the general mix energetic context dominated by climate warming mitigation. The various uses of solar energy are firstly presented before a short description of the principle of the direct solar photon conversion into electricity (PV). The various PV technologies are reviewed in the current context dominated by crystalline silicon cells. The perspectives of the various technologies are then analysed in terms of R&D investments.

Aug 3rd 2026
3 Weeks
Energy Solar Cells Photovoltaic
Details