Photovoltaics (PV) is rapidly becoming a major source of cheap electricity. This course provides the tools and methods to plan, design, build and operate PV power plants, with an emphasis on utility-scale plants. Within the course students execute a realistic PV plant project, including planning, design, licensing, construction, operation and maintenance, and financing. Most of the modules that compose the course are presented at a generic systems level, and are accessible to students with a non-engineering background. Some of the modules are complemented with more detailed technical contents, as required for professional engineers. The course intends to have a broad appeal, preparing students for policy, managerial or technical jobs in the fast-growing area of Solar PV systems.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand and discuss the current status, emerging trends, and key drivers of commercial photovoltaic power generation in Australia and internationally.
- Evaluate and justify the selection and integration of components for large-scale photovoltaic systems, considering technical performance, operational requirements, and project constraints.
- Apply and critically interpret modelling tools and data to predict the performance, yield, and reliability of photovoltaic systems, and evaluate the limitations and uncertainties of these approaches.
- Analyse and evaluate performance, maintenance strategies, and risk factors affecting the long-term operation of photovoltaic power plants.
- Understand, discuss and compare financial models and market mechanisms relevant to large-scale photovoltaic systems, and assess their implications for project viability and decision-making.
- Formulate and justify engineering decisions for photovoltaic system design and operation under conditions of uncertainty, incomplete information, and competing objectives.
- Collaborate effectively as a member or leader of a multidisciplinary team, and communicate and defend engineering decisions to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Investigate and synthesise information from diverse sources to address complex or unfamiliar engineering problems, demonstrating independent and reflective learning.
Other Information
The use of generative AI Tools in this course is permitted within clearly defined assessment conditions.
Assessments in this course are classified as AI-free, AI-assisted, or AI-integrated activities.
- In AI-free assessments, students must complete the work without generative AI assistance in order to demonstrate independent understanding and reasoning.
- In AI-assisted assessments, students may use generative AI tools to support activities such as information gathering, drafting, editing, coding support, or data organisation, provided all outputs are critically evaluated, are appropriately acknowledged and can be justified.
- In AI-integrated assessments, students are expected to critically engage with AI-generated outputs as part of the learning activity, including identifying assumptions, limitations, inaccuracies, and risks associated with AI use.
Students remain responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of all submitted work.
Written assignments may require a short declaration describing the AI tools used, prompt strategies employed, and how AI contributed to the work. Marks will reflect the quality of student reasoning, judgement, critique, and understanding rather than the contribution of the tools. Guidance regarding appropriate citation and use of generative AI can be found on the ANU library website . Further guidance on appropriate use should be directed to the convener for this course.
Indicative Assessment
- Tutorials (15) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
- Individual Assignments (20) [LO 2,3,4,6,8]
- Group Project (25) [LO 2,3,4,6,7,8]
- Final Exam (40) [LO 1,2,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The typical workload for a 6 unit course is approximately 10hr/week throughout semester. This includes lecture and tutorial attendance, assessment preparation and individual study time.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Prescribed Texts
None
Preliminary Reading
A foundational reference for utility-scale PV project development processes and terminology. It is highly recommended to download and read this guide following closely the course content.
- Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants, A Project Developer’s Guide, International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group, 2015. https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/topics_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/sustainability-at-ifc/publications/publications_utility-scale+solar+photovoltaic+power+plants
Supplementary Resources (optional but highly recommended for students’ learning)
- IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Program (IEA PVPS) - Reports and Task Publications. https://iea-pvps.org/ (notably trends and insights)
- Textbook: H. Haeberlin, Photovoltaics : system design and practice, Wiley, 2012.
- Textbook: P. Gevorkian, Large-Scale Solar Power System Design: An Engineering Guide for Grid-Connected Solar Power Generation, McGraw-Hill, 2011.
Copies of the textbooks are available from Hancock library.
Students are expected to engage with evolving industry documentation, technical reports, and engineering guidance.
Assumed Knowledge
Background knowledge in Photovoltaic Technology is useful.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $5520 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $7020 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9006 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |