Energy resources: solar energy

This program was well designed in a way that was suitable to my learning needs.

I recently studied the program "Energy resources: solar energy" on OpenLearn. I found it to be a comprehensive and informative introduction to solar energy. The course covered a wide range of topics, from the basics of solar radiation to the latest technologies for converting solar energy into electricity and heat. I particularly appreciated the sections on the environmental benefits of solar energy and the challenges that need to be overcome in order to make solar energy a more mainstream source of energy.

The course was well-structured and easy to follow. The lessons were short and engaging, and the accompanying resources, such as videos and interactive exercises, were helpful for reinforcing the concepts. I also appreciated the opportunity to participate in discussion forums with other learners. This helped me to clarify my understanding of the material and to learn from the experiences of others.

Overall, I found the "Energy resources: solar energy" program to be an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this important renewable energy source. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in solar energy, whether you are a student, a professional, or simply someone who wants to learn more about how solar energy can help to power our future.

Here are some of the specific things I learned from the course:

* The sun is a vast source of energy, and solar radiation is constantly reaching the Earth.
* There are two main ways to harness solar energy: photovoltaics and solar thermal energy.
* Photovoltaics convert sunlight directly into electricity, while solar thermal energy uses the sun's heat to generate electricity or heat water.
* Solar energy is a clean and renewable energy source that has the potential to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
* However, there are some challenges to the widespread adoption of solar energy, such as the cost of solar panels and the need for storage solutions.

I am confident that the knowledge I gained from this course will be helpful to me in my future endeavors. I am now more informed about the basics of solar energy and the potential of this technology to help us meet our energy needs in a sustainable way. I am also more aware of the challenges that need to be overcome in order to make solar energy a more mainstream source of energy.

I would like to thank the OpenLearn team for providing this valuable resource. I would also like to thank my fellow learners for their insights and contributions to the discussion forums. I highly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in learning more about solar energy.