Lab and GIS Equipment for Teaching Solar Energy

D. Strebkov, I. Tyukhov*, M. Schakhramanyan

All Russian Research Institute for Electrification of Agriculture, 1-st Veschnyakovsky proezd, 2, Moscow
109456, Russia1, Moscow, Russia, Tel: (495) 171-05-23, 171-19-20, Fax: (495)170-51-01:

* Corresponding Author, ityukhov@yahoo. com

Abstract

The solar industry and growing PV market is looking for good prepared in solar energy young people. Students are interested in how to learn more about clean renewable energy. With the lesson plans that are now being developed for renewable energy in a number of Russian universities, there is a pressing need for corresponding hands on experience either of lab equipment (indoors) and or photovoltaic (PV) systems installed in test fields (outdoors) to augment enhance the educational experience. This paper is about solar energy lab equipment and geographic information system (GIS) developed at the UNESCO Chair on Renewable Energy in the All Russian Research Institute for Electrification of Agriculture (VIESH) and at some Russian universities to help teaching the principles of solar energy and GIS systems.

Keywords: solar cell, concentrator, geographic information system, solar energy, education and training

1. Introduction

For a real extension and implementation of renewable energy resources engineers, technicians, scientific experts and project workers are needed. Moreover a broad understanding of the subject among all engineers, designers, technicians and experts (and even among politicians and decision makers) who is linked to the subject is necessary. In this context the UNESCO — MSUAE Chair “Renewable energy and electrification of agriculture” in the All-Russian Research Institute for Electrification of Agriculture (VIESH) and jointly with the V. P. Goryachkin Moscow State University of Agricultural Engineers (MSUAE) are developing strategies concerning the educational recourses including laboratory equipment (lab kits) on renewable energy. The UNESCO — MSUAE the Chair is guided by principle connecting education and research work. Education programs inspire students to explore sustainable energy solutions to meet our future needs.

Teaching Physics at the Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MPEI) one of the authors started to develop special topics and demonstrations of solar energy principles in the General Physics courses (some papers were published in English). Some work was done on solar education during JFDP program, other in framework of Fulbright program.