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

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
Macroeconomic Forecasting (edX) EdX
International Monetary Fund - IMF,IMFx

Macroeconomic Forecasting (edX)

Economics & Finance

Learn how to create and assess forecasting models to predict macroeconomic variables such as inflation and economic growth. In this macroeconomics course, you will learn to predict macroeconomic variables such as inflation, growth or consumption, and to create statistical models in economics and use them to predict responses to economic policy.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Macroeconomics Economics Inflation
Details
Hydro, Wind & Solar power: Resources, Variability & Forecast (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique

Hydro, Wind & Solar power: Resources, Variability & Forecast (Coursera)

Sci: Physical & Earth Sciences Sci: Environment

The development of hydro, wind and solar power is growing strongly with as one objective to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All these renewable energies are intermittent with more or less strong variability. This course provides the basis for estimating the resource of these different modes of production and understanding the physical causes of intermittency and seasonal variability. The different modes of electricity production are detailed as well as the sensitivity induced by meteorological variations.

Sep 28th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Renewable Energy Solar Energy Wind Energy
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.

Sep 28th 2026
3 Weeks
Energy Solar Cells Photovoltaic
Details
Using Photovoltaic (PV) Technology in Desert Climates (edX) EdX
Hamad Bin Khalifa University - HBKU,HBKUx

Using Photovoltaic (PV) Technology in Desert Climates (edX)

Engineering Sci: Energy & Earth Sciences

Learn how to mitigate the challenges related to PV technology and enhance the performance of solar cells and PV modules in desert climates. The high insolation in desert regions can result in a lower cost of solar energy. While this may be a key motivation to deploying PV in desert climates, there are also several challenges related to the technology that must be considered.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Energy Solar Energy Solar Cells
Details
Purchase management (edX) EdX
LOGYCAX,LOGYCA

Purchase management (edX)

Economics & Finance Business

On this online course you will find all necessary tools o correctly plan demand, and you will acquire knowledge for forecasting, strategic sourcing, management and provider evaluation. For a company to function properly it must have a permanent supply of raw materials and goods; if sourcing is done efficiently, availability for manufacturing and/or sale will be permanent.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Management Forecasting Cost Management
Details
Electricity Distribution (edX) EdX
National University of Singapore,NUS

Electricity Distribution (edX)

Engineering

This course is designed like a field trip. Let’s travel together around the world, visiting solar farms, substations, and transformer rooms! Learn how to identify major components in electrical substations, learn about 3-phase electricity, and all about the ins and outs of electrical grids. We cover generation, transmission, and distribution. Welcome!

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Electricity Solar Energy Circuits
Details
Smart grid: fundamentos técnicos (edX) EdX
Tecnológico de Monterrey,TecdeMonterreyX

Smart grid: fundamentos técnicos (edX)

Engineering Science

Aprende los fundamentos técnicos de una smart grid; la configuración de las capas inferiores y la forma en que se interconectan los dispositivos, casas y edificios inteligentes (internet of things) a la red inteligente de manera general. El conocimiento de los fundamentos técnicos de las smart grid o de las redes inteligentes son una necesidad actual para quienes buscan comprender las evoluciones energéticas globales.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Solar Energy Smart Grids Wind Energy
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