Renewable Energy Education at UNSW

University of New South Wales (UNSW) has carried out silicon solar cell research since the mid 1970s and achieved world recognition in the 1980s. The UNSW solar cell research group has led international conunercialisations and, since 2000, pioneered specialised undergraduate education in photovoltaics engineering. The Photovoltaics and Solar Energy undergraduate program is a unique four year full-time Engineering undergraduate program covering device theory; photovoltaic technology and manufacturing; photovoltaic applications and system design; policy, analysis and modelling; renewable energy technologies and sustainable energy. The Renewable Energy Engineering program encompasses a broader range of renewable energy technologies including solar thermal systems, wind turbines, biomass, and also the important areas of solar architecture and energy efficiency. The School also offers four postgraduate coursework and two research programs. UNSW's research student body of 86 students focusses mainly on silicon, III-V and Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) photovoltaic devices but also includes solar thermal energy, wind energy, resource forecasting, energy policy, energy efficiency and combustion modelling, and enjoys links into a major new Cooperative Research Centre in Low Carbon Living. From 2012/13, UNSW has two new on-campus facilities for the above work - the Tyree Energy Technologies Building, housing many areas of energy education and research, and the Solar Industrial Research Facility.