The spring 2010 course provides a substantial overview of solar energy, its use and the ramifications of this use, as well as a review of history and driving forces for the economic development of solar energy.
The course objective is to develop an understanding of solar energy with respect to environmental, political, economic and technological issues. Large- and small-scale solar operations will be included in the course, along with location concerns, connections to the power grid and issues of power distribution and transmission. The solar energy course is cross-disciplinary and will incorporate aspects related to development and use of technology.
"With the growing realization that society needs to move towards implementation of sustainable technologies, wise use of resources and supporting human behaviors, we believe it is important to offer university courses to foster these activities. Therefore, we have offered courses on sustainability and wind energy for the current fall semester and the solar energy course in the spring," said Bart Bergquist, course coordinator and industrial technology department head and professor. "The potential benefits of increasing the use of renewable resources like solar energy are large both economically and environmentally."
Solar Energy Applications and Issues will be held from 5:30 to 7:20 p.m., on Tuesdays, Jan. 12 through May 4, at Hawkeye Community College, Bremer Hall, Room 144. The course may be taken for undergraduate or graduate credit.
For more information about the Solar Energy Applications and Issues course, or additional offerings available through Continuing & Distance Education at UNI, call (319) 273-2121 or visit www.uni.edu/continuinged.
