Learn from Germany’s leading experts in solar energy
The Certificate “CAS 2 – Solar Thermal Energy Technology” provides a broad overview on solar thermal systems and their main components. Starting with basic issues of physical processes and design options for non-concentrating and concentrating solar thermal collectors, it then addresses these technologies from a systems engineering perspective.
The complex systems for different applications, such as solar water heating to process heat for industry and solar thermal power production will be described. The Certificate, spanning over 12 months, consists of two consecutive courses with the same lecturer:
2.1 – Fundamentals of Solar Thermal Collectors (5 ECTS) Starting point will be the basic physical principles behind this technology. All types of solar collectors will be discussed while particular attention to Linear Fresnel collectors and solar tower heliostat fields will be paid. 2.2 – Design of Solar Thermal Systems (5 ECTS) An important topic in the second course is the energy efficiency and the integration of solar thermal heat in industrial processes. Further, the hybridization of concentrated solar power and photovoltaic, or the impacts of different high-temperature storage options will be addressed. Lecturer: Hon.-Prof. Dr. Werner Platzer Director of the Division “Solar Thermal and Optics” at Fraunhofer ISE
E-learning and online video lectures accompanied by readings, exercises and online meetings with tutors and lecturers
Two written exams (75 minutes each) in a study center close to your location
Join our voluntary Campus Phase week in Freiburg, Germany
You are closely monitored and supported by tutors and lecturers throughout your entire certificate studies. Various teaching styles and formats allow you to engage with the topic in numerous compelling ways. Short 20-minute e-lectures combined with a great collection of reading materials provide you the latest theoretical understanding of each topic. Our lecturers have carefully selected the most relevant publications for you. References - incorporated into the videos - point you to the most relevant sections in the reading material.
Your growing expertise is put into practice through exercise sheets. Regular online meetings and lively forum discussions with fellow students, tutors and lecturers will round off your learning experience.
Accredited Certificate Program:
A Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) is a subject-specific advanced training program which is compliant with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). With a scope of 10 ECTS each, our Certificates correspond to an average study-workload of 250 hours - considering that 1 ECTS is equivalent to 25 hours.
These standards secure the high quality of CAS programs, as well as their comparability and recognition across educational institutions that offer academic continuing education for working professionals.
Thus, it is possible to combine CAS programs from the same or different institutions in Germany and Switzerland to a more extensive degree in modular fashion.