Solar Energy Development
EXERM 4303 is offered this winter:
Course at a glance
- Fully online synchronous course accessible through eClass, the University of Alberta’s eLearning management tool. Live classes are held in a Zoom room over the course of two consecutive weekends.
- Learn through lectures and lively discussions, as you broaden your network and explore the connections of this course with your own professional practice.
- Aimed at industry executives, environmental professionals, project managers, power producers and regulators, those working in government agencies, utility companies, and energy agencies, as well as developers and investors interested in expanding their career or business with renewable energy.
- Credentialed by the Foundational Technologies Institute (FTI), an independent organization, to meet standards of quality, practicality, and alignment to business needs.
What you will learn
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Describe how solar energy is captured, converted, and best utilized through different solar power systems.
- Understand the basic economic principles for installing, maintaining, and decommissioning a solar project.
- Describe the efficiency rise, price reduction, and growth trajectory that solar projects have experienced worldwide.
- Explain the basic mechanics of different solar power systems (CSP, PV power stations, floating solar farms, rooftop installations, etc.).
- Walk through the steps required to build a solar project (i.e. how to assess solar potential, choose the right system, acquire land, acquire permits, and assess economic feasibility).
Offered:
Take note:
- Pre-course work is required, with a reading and an assignment due before the first Zoom meeting date. Pre-course instructions and materials are available on eClass one week prior to the course start date; advanced registration is recommended for student success.
- Assessment activities include quizzes and assignments. Homework, readings, and quizzes should take an average of 4 to 6 hours each week.
- If you wish to obtain a Record of Achievement in Solar Energy Development and Design, you are required to take the three Renewable Energy Essentials courses in addition to this course; it is highly recommended that you take the Essentials courses prior to completing this course.
Overall Schedule
Feb 1 — pre-class information opens
Students in this course section may have pre-class readings or assessments to complete.
Lecture/Class Schedule
Feb 4Feb 6
8:30 am – 5:00 pm MT
8:30 am – 5:00 pm MT
8:30 am – 5:00 pm MT
Feb 11Feb 13
8:30 am – 5:00 pm MT
8:30 am – 5:00 pm MT
8:30 am – 5:00 pm MT
Feb 16 — post-class component closes
Students in this section may have post-class readings or assessments to complete.
Synchronous online learning, eClass
42 hours of instruction
In synchronous online courses, students move through the course material at the same pace as their peers. These courses also provide learners with pre-scheduled online lectures that have the instructor and students interacting at the same time. All components of this type of course are accessible through eClass, the University of Alberta’s eLearning management tool. format details
Your Instructor
Gabriel JohnID: gabriel-john
Gabriel John is a professional agrologist with extensive experience in program design and implementation in the areas of climate change, emissions management, clean energy, and emerging technologies. His government and academic work in the past decade has focused on developing strategic policies and innovative programs in the complex energy-environment nexus. Gabriel currently works on strategic environmental and sustainable energy policies and programs, including leading the development of policies relating to renewable development and the de-carbonization of the electricity sector.
Class info
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This is a synchronous course that features live online activities at predetermined times. For the real-time classroom sessions, a computer with both audio input and output (such as a microphone-equipped headset) is required. To start your online learning experience visit www.ext-leo.ca/students
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42 course hours in total
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Cost assistance: may be eligible for the Canada-Alberta Job Grant, the Canada Training Benefit, and the Skilled Immigrant Micro-Loan.
— view all 27 funding opportunities
Corporate multi-registration packages (groups of 4 or more) are available for most Extension courses. Contact us at corporate.learning@ualberta.ca for preferred pricing. -
Open for registration until February 1, 2022. Register at least one week before the course start date to secure your spot. If space is available you may register until the day the course starts. Refunds, withdrawals & transfers policies
This course has no prerequisites
Students from all educational backgrounds welcome. You can register for this course without applying and enrolling in a program.
Take note:
- Pre-course work is required, with a reading and an assignment due before the first Zoom meeting date. Pre-course instructions and materials are available on eClass one week prior to the course start date; advanced registration is recommended for student success.
- Assessment activities include quizzes and assignments. Homework, readings, and quizzes should take an average of 4 to 6 hours each week.
- If you wish to obtain a Record of Achievement in Solar Energy Development and Design, you are required to take the three Renewable Energy Essentials courses in addition to this course; it is highly recommended that you take the Essentials courses prior to completing this course.
Currently counts towards
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└ core course
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└ course option
We recommend that you apply to the program as soon as possible to lock in your course requirements as they are subject to change.
*If you are already enroled in this program, please refer to your specific program requirements as outlined at the time of your admission: Bear Tracks > Academic Advisement.
You can register for and take a course without applying and enrolling into the program.
Looking for different course dates?
New course schedules are released each June and November.