Integration of Knowledge of Solar Thermal and Solar PV Technologies in Physics Education for Enhancing Skill Development

Abstract

The world is making a transition towards clean energy choices and for this solar 
energy is a promising option which is growing at a tremendous rate. In order to combat the 
global warming and climate change, many countries especially India has set ambitious targets 
for next 20-30 years focusing on increasing the use of solar energy for various applications. As 
solar PV and thermal technologies are growing and penetrating in the everyday life 
applications, it becomes important to make these a part of physics education. Understanding of 
these technologies by a physics student will offer opportunities for skill development, innovation 
and research. Department of Pure and Applied Physics, University of Kota offers courses and 
special paper related to Energy Studies and more specifically Solar Energy. The present work 
discusses the integration of the knowledge of solar energy technologies in the physics curriculum 
both in theory and experiments. Further the experience of the Higher Education Partnership 
Project on Solar Energy Materials and Technologies awarded to the University of Kota by the 
Royal Academy of Engineering, UK and FICCI, India is also shared. The studies related to solar 
energy applications enhanced the knowledge of heat transfer, thermal physics, electrical and 
electronics which in turn results in skill development and opportunities for innovation