Coursera

Solar Energy Systems Overview (Coursera)

Offered by University at Buffalo,

By the end of this course, learners will have acquired a broad understanding of the history and mechanics behind converting light into electricity, commonly known as photovoltaics (PV). They are empowered to recognize and describe elements of a PV system, enabling them to: compare the most common types of solar cells, sketch a solar PV system, and analyze differences between rooftop and ground mounting configurations.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

The course explores economic considerations, touching on solar PV costs for residential and commercial use, incentives, and contrasts solar power with fossil fuel and nuclear plants.
This course is ideal for anyone interested in entering the solar power sector, whether fresh to the workforce or switching industries. The curriculum is especially useful for engineers, HVAC installers, architects, and building code inspectors.
What You Will Learn

Differentiate the value of solar energy versus alternatives
Explain how PV works in technical and economic terms, and identify its components
Estimate solar system costs

Course 1 of 3 in the Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Acknowledgement
Solar Power
This module introduces learners to the history of solar power and the nature of photovoltaics (PV).

WEEK 2
The Nature of PV
This module provides an understanding of the structure and function of different types of PV systems and their components.

WEEK 3
Solar Power ROI
This modules provides an understanding of the costs and ROI that can be expected when installing a PV system.
PV System Analysis Project: Theory to Practice

Go to Class

MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Coursera

Campus BBVA

The ABC of sustainability (Coursera)

Sci: Environment

The sustainability agenda is currently key to companies, governments and citizens. It’s vital for people to have first-hand knowledge of the basic concepts in order to understand all issues related to sustainability as a vector of systemic change in the economy, society, companies and our lives. The course is an introduction to sustainability, regarded as a cross-cutting discipline in our society (in the public and private international spheres) that’s based on the most updated public information on economic, social and environmental issues.

Sep 14th 2026

4 Weeks

Sustainability Critical Thinking Sustainable Development

Coursera

Yonsei University

Advanced Functional Ceramics (Coursera)

Engineering Sci: Environment

To realize next-generation devices, novel ceramic materials with ultimate physical and chemical properties are required. For this purpose, a few intrinsic and extrinsic approaches for the development of new functional ceramics are proceeding. This course provides the fundamentals of functional ceramics and the materials design rules for developing advanced ceramics with ultimate physical and chemical properties.

Sep 14th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Sustainability Materials Ceramic Materials

Coursera

University of London

Business Sustainability in the Circular Economy (Coursera)

Business

We are surrounded by so much discussion of sustainability that it can sometimes become overwhelming. Important questions include: What role can business have in ensuring the sustainability of the planet? How should business work with society to preserve the environment? These questions will be answered in this course as we explore the meaning of sustainability and its impact on modern organisations as they move to circular ideas to reduce waste, increase recycling and become fit for our modern society.

Sep 14th 2026

3 Weeks

Sustainability Environmental Law Recycling

Coursera

Erasmus University Rotterdam,United Cities and Local Governments of Africa,African Local Government Academy,Institute for Housing and Urban Development

Planning for Climate Change in African Cities (Coursera)

Engineering Sci: Environment

Climate change poses a threat to economic growth and long-term prosperity of many countries around the world. Africa is not an exception, considering the actual and potential impacts of climate change and climate variability that will threaten its vulnerable sectors and human populations. African countries are projected to experience changing rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, and higher temperatures that will affect food security, agricultural production, water availability, and public health, among others. These climate change impacts and climate variability can further produce social and political problems, such as rural-urban migration and water resource disputes.

Sep 14th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Planning Sustainability Climate Change

Coursera

University of Florida

The Meat We Eat (Coursera)

Sci: Biology & Life Sciences Food & Nutrition

The Meat We Eat is a course designed to create a more informed consumer about the quality, safety, healthfulness and sustainability of muscle foods and address current issues in animal agriculture in developed and developing countries.

Sep 7th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Health Sustainability Agriculture

Coursera

Leiden University

A Circular Economy of Metals: Towards a Sustainable Societal Metabolism (Coursera)

Sci: Environment

Metals are present everywhere around us and are one of the major materials upon which our economies are built. Economic development is deeply coupled with the use of metals. During the 20th century the variety of metal applications in society grew rapidly. In addition to mass applications such as steel in buildings and aluminium in planes, more and more different metals are in use for innovative technologies such as the use of the specialty metal indium in LCD screens. A lot of metals will be needed in the future. It will not be easy to provide them. In particular in emerging economies, but also in industrialized countries, the demand for metals is increasing rapidly. Mining and production activities expand, and with that also the environmental consequences of metal production. In this course, we will explore those consequences and we will also explore options to move towards a more sustainable system of metals production and use.

Sep 7th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Sustainability Metabolism Metals

Coursera

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Management of Urban Infrastructures – part 1 (Coursera)

Management & Leadership

Sustainability, Resilience and Efficiency are fundamental considerations for city managers in managing urban infrastructures. Today, more than 3.9 billion people, making up more than 54% of the global population, live in cities. Urbanization is expected to continue in the coming years, raising the urban population to 6.0 billion by 2045. This dramatic increase in urban populations will inevitably increase the demand for energy, mobility (transportation), water, and other urban services in every city around the world. Without functional governance and management structures that ensure efficient, resilient and sustainable performance in cities, the current urbanization growth might become a catastrophic risk threatening the quality of life of the humanity.

Sep 14th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Sustainability Management Project Management

Coursera

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Introduction to Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (Coursera)

Sci: Environment

It is well known that water treatment at the household level can lead to dramatic improvements in drinking water quality. But does Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (HWTS) also have global relevance? What are the potential treatment solutions and how do they function? Is there a standard strategy for successful HWTS implementation, or can we identify key components which make programs more likely to succeed? In this course you will learn about the most important water treatment methods at household level, successful implementation strategies and about assessing the impact of HWTS.

Sep 7th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Sustainability Water Water Treatment

Coursera

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Health Management (Coursera)

Sci: Biology & Life Sciences Health & Society

Learn about the impact of infectious disease on sustainable animal-based food production by understanding the science of growth, immunity, and infection and by learning the problem-solving skills needed to advance animal health and food production through optimal management practices. In this course we will explore the effect of infectious disease on sustainable animal-based food production. The content and learning outcomes of this new course will be designed to be relevant across different food production sectors (i.e., beef, dairy, poultry, and pigs).

Sep 7th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Health Sustainability Nutrition

Coursera

Lund University

Greening the Economy: Lessons from Scandinavia (Coursera)

Sci: Physical & Earth Sciences Sci: Environment

How can we live a good life on one planet with over seven billion people? This course will explore greening the economy on four levels – individual, business, city, and nation. We will look at the relationships between these levels and give many practical examples of the complexities and solutions across the levels. Scandinavia, a pioneering place advancing sustainability and combating climate change, is a unique starting point for learning about greening the economy. We will learn from many initiatives attempted in Scandinavia since the 1970s, which are all potentially helpful and useful for other countries and contexts.

Sep 7th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Sustainability Economy Climate Change

Coursera

Starweaver

Future of Production (Coursera)

CS: Information & Technology

This course delves into the forefront of manufacturing, exploring how emerging technologies and innovative practices are revolutionizing the industry. Participants will gain insights into the latest trends and advancements in production processes, including the impact of automation, robotics, and sustainable practices.

Sep 14th 2026

4 Weeks

Sustainability Robotics Manufacturing

Coursera

Copenhagen Business School

Sustainable Vikings: Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility in Scandinavia (Coursera)

Management & Leadership Business

This course gives you immediate access to the world leading sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. Scandinavian firms dominate the major sustainability and CSR performance indicators including the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). In this course we explore the concepts of sustainability and CSR and focus attention on how Scandinavian firms, like Novo Nordisk, have achieved superior sustainability and CSR performances.

Sep 14th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Business Sustainability Strategic Management