Design of Photovoltaic Systems

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  • Author
    Dr. Tareq Foqha
  • Level
    Introductory
  • Study time
    ~ 40 minutes
  • Videos
    5
  • Contact
    tariq.foqha@ptuk.edu.ps

Module Description

The Design of Photovoltaic Systems course gives engineers, energy professionals, and students the skills to design practical and reliable solar power systems.
The course starts with the basics of solar energy and PV components (modules, charge controllers, batteries, inverters). It then covers different system types—off-grid, grid-connected, and hybrid—and guides learners step by step through load assessment, resource evaluation, system sizing, and optimization.Through clear formula sheets and real case studies, participants will be able to design efficient solar PV systems that improve energy security and support sustainable development.

 learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

  • Explain how PV cells convert sunlight to electricity and differentiate major PV cell/module types and technology trends.
  • Characterize & select key components—modules (IV/series-parallel behavior), charge controllers (PWM vs MPPT), batteries (DoD, capacity, chemistry), and inverters (string, micro, hybrid, pumping)—for a given application.
  • Compare off-grid, grid-connected, and hybrid configurations and justify an architecture based on site constraints and grid context.
  • Perform load analysis and solar-resource assessment, identify the design month (worst-case H/E), and determine peak-sun-hours and tilt assumptions.
  • Size battery banks, PV arrays (series/parallel limits), charge controllers, and inverters using the provided step-by-step formula sheets.
  • Design complete photovoltaic systems—including panels, batteries, controllers, and inverters—using step-by-step methods and real case studies.
created by

Dr. Tareq Foqha

Tareq Foqha received his Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering from Palestine Technical University–Kadoorie, Tulkarm, Palestine, in 2020, and his Master degree in Electrical Power Engineering from An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine, in 2023. He is currently a postgraduate researcher with the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Technological University Dublin, Ireland. He has over five years of academic experience, having served as a lecturer in the Electrical Engineering Department at Palestine Technical University–Kadoorie for five years, and at the Arab American University in Jenin, Palestine, for two years. His research interests include electric power distribution, microgrid protection, electric vehicles, harmonics, renewable energy integration, computer applications in power system engineering, and the use of optimization algorithms in power systems.