Before we can evaluate solar panels, wind turbines, or battery storage, we need a shared vocabulary and a working understanding of the physics beneath them. This module lays that foundation. We'll start by exploring the concept of energy itself: what it is, where it originates, how it's measured, and the physical laws that govern its behavior. From there, we shift to electricity — examining how it's generated, measured, and delivered, with particular attention to how renewable resources convert natural energy flows into usable electric power. Upon completion of this module, you will have a solid grounding in the underlying concepts required to understand the promise and challenges of renewable energy.

Wind is one of the fastest-growing sources of renewable energy on the planet — and this module shows you why. We'll dig into the physical forces that power it, the technology that captures it, and the economics that are reshaping energy markets worldwide. We start with the wind itself: What causes it to arise? What characteristics — speed, consistency, turbulence — determine its usefulness? And just how much energy is actually embodied in a moving air mass? From there, we turn to the machines built to harness it. You'll learn how wind turbines convert that raw energy into electricity, examining their key components, real-world performance, and the economics that determine whether a wind project succeeds or fails. Along the way, we'll spotlight offshore wind — one of the most rapidly evolving frontiers in renewable energy — and explore what's driving its explosive growth. By the end of this module, you'll understand not just how wind turbines work, but why wind has become such a dominant force in the global energy transition.

Every hour, the sun delivers more energy to Earth than humanity uses in an entire year. The question this module answers is: how do we capture that abundance and put it to work? We begin by unpacking the nature of solar radiation itself — its key attributes and the many ways sunlight can be harnessed for human use. From there, we turn to the technology at the heart of the solar revolution: photovoltaic (PV) systems, and the science behind how they convert sunlight directly into electricity. We close by bringing theory into practice, examining how solar PV projects are actually planned, sited, and financed — giving you a clear picture of the economics driving solar's rapid expansion around the world. By the end of this module, you'll understand not just how solar technology works, but why it's positioned to become the backbone of the global energy transition.

Wind and solar may be renewable energy's fastest-rising stars, but they're far from the whole story. This final module completes the picture — covering the technologies with the longest track records, and the storage breakthroughs that will determine whether the entire renewable transition succeeds. We begin with the established and emerging generation technologies that round out the renewable portfolio: hydropower — still the largest renewable source in the world — along with biomass energy, concentrating solar power, geothermal power, and ocean energy. Each brings its own history, strengths, and role to play alongside wind and solar. From there, we turn to what may be the single greatest challenge facing renewables: storage. Without effective, economic ways to store energy, even the most abundant renewable resources can't reliably power the grid. We examine the leading approaches — pumped hydro, batteries, thermal storage, and hydrogen storage — along with a look at emerging technologies poised to reshape the storage landscape. We close the course by looking ahead: what do credible forecasts suggest about the trajectory of both renewable generation and renewable storage technologies in the years to come — and what does that mean for the future of the global energy system?

The last week of Renewable Energy Technology Fundamentals includes a final exam that will allow you to demonstrate your mastery of the content covered in this course. Take some time to study, review any concepts or topics you found challenging, and then take the final exam!