Exploring Bachelor in Electrical Engineering for Solar Power

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the suitability of pursuing a Bachelor in Electrical Engineering (EE) for a career in solar power, particularly in relation to photovoltaics and other solar technologies. Participants explore various academic paths and their relevance to solar energy applications, including engineering, chemistry, and materials science.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that a Bachelor in Electrical Engineering is a good starting point for a career in solar power, particularly for photovoltaics.
  • Others propose that fields such as condensed matter physics could also be beneficial for entering the solar energy sector.
  • One participant argues that for photovoltaics, electrical engineering is essential, while mechanical engineering (ME) may be more relevant for solar heating systems and chemical engineering (ChemE) for alternative fuels.
  • A participant notes that at their institution, different tracks exist within the EE program, indicating that a focus on power systems may be advantageous.
  • Some participants emphasize the importance of chemistry and materials science in photovoltaics, suggesting that much of the development work is conducted by chemists.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that business or economics could be valuable fields of study, as they address the broader challenges of implementing solar power solutions, particularly in energy storage.
  • One participant expresses disagreement with the idea that chemistry is the primary discipline for photovoltaics, asserting that practical work is largely conducted by engineers, particularly in electrical and materials science engineering.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of research being conducted by faculty at various institutions, with some questioning whether the focus is on developing new photovoltaic cells or related components.
  • A participant mentions their advisor's research in organic chemistry related to solar cells, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the field.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the best academic path for solar power, with no consensus reached. Some advocate for electrical engineering, while others highlight the importance of chemistry and materials science. Disagreement exists regarding the roles of different disciplines in the development of solar technologies.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific academic programs and research focuses at their institutions, indicating that the relevance of various disciplines may depend on institutional strengths and research directions. There is also mention of specific technologies, such as dye-sensitized solar cells, which may influence the discussion on academic paths.

dumpman
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i am planning to go for a bachelor in electrical engineering, but I am not sure if it is right for solar power.
 
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dumpman said:
i am planning to go for a bachelor in electrical engineering, but I am not sure if it is right for solar power.

It would be a fine start, IMO.
 


Going into physics and getting into condensed matter might also be a good path.
 


For photovoltaics I would also say EE.
For things such as solar heated boilers or wind energy I would say ME.
For alternative fuels I would say ChemE.
 


I don't know how it is broken down at other schools, but here at A&M they have different tracks for EE's. My bet would be an EE on the power tract would be your best bet.
 


Nick M said:
For photovoltaics I would also say EE.
For things such as solar heated boilers or wind energy I would say ME.
For alternative fuels I would say ChemE.
I concur. Also relevant courses in materials (materials science & engineering) would be beneficial.
 


#1 discipline in my opinion for photovoltaics is chemistry followed closely by material science. Although condensed matter physics and electrical engineering aren't a bad way to go either but most of the development being done is by chemists. Every PV seminar I have gone to have been by inorganic and organic chemists.
 


I'm going to take a different approach and say business or economics (or even political science). You can make improvements in PV efficiency with the chemistry or EE majors, but that is not why PV don't have any successful large-scale practical power applications. But if you really want to solve technical problems related to large-scale power applications from solar energy in general then I would recommend working on energy storage rather than solar energy itself.
 


#1 discipline in my opinion for photovoltaics is chemistry followed closely by material science. Although condensed matter physics and electrical engineering aren't a bad way to go either but most of the development being done is by chemists. Every PV seminar I have gone to have been by inorganic and organic chemists.

Could not disagree more. Chemists may do the "way out there" stuff, but the people doing practical work are engineers. MSE and EE are the two best fields for getting into solar cell research, in my opinion. I base this on the fact that the majority of the faculty working on solar cells at my institution are EE's.
 
  • #10


I can't vouch for chemists and how closely they are tied to photovoltaics, but I do agree with FirstYearGrad in that EE will set you up nicely for this and many EE professors I know are involved with solar cells.
 
  • #11


FirstYearGrad said:
I base this on the fact that the majority of the faculty working on solar cells at my institution are EE's.

Are they working on the actual PV cells or just related components of it (i.e. current collectors, control systems, substrates, etc)? The majority of PV work done at my institution has been done by EEs as well but none of their research projects are actually developing new cells. The latest and greatest actual PV development IMO is in the area of dye-sensitized solar cells, much which involves finding new inorganic materials for catalysts and redox shuttles. Both things that are typically done by chemists and physical chemists and not EEs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dye-sensitized_solar_cell
(check where the references are from)
 
  • #12


One of my advisors is a professor of organic chemistry whose research focuses on development of useful porphyrins for eventual use in solar cells. This is just another aspect of the materials science side of things.
 

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