National Diploma in Renewable Energy and Solar Power Technology
Study renewable-energy systems with a focused application to solar photovoltaic technology.
About the course
Study renewable-energy systems with a focused application to solar photovoltaic technology. The proposed diploma links electrical understanding with system evaluation, maintenance and resource planning. Southern African projects should consider the actual load, solar conditions, affordability and service capacity, with clear attention to the responsibilities attached to electrical work.
What you'll learn
Interpret energy-use information and explain the main functions of a PV system.
Compare system options against a defined user and site requirement.
Evaluate performance and maintenance evidence from an approved teaching case.
Prepare a documented technical project with explicit assumptions and limitations.
Requirements
Recommended preparation is relevant certificate-level knowledge or an approved equivalent, with readiness for technical analysis and supervised applied work. BMIT must determine actual admission and recognition-of-prior-learning rules with the awarding body. This proposal does not assign official credits, duration or a qualification-framework level.
Course content
The subjects are grouped by learning stage, from foundations to specialist study and supervised application. Complete earlier foundations before the related advanced work. Clinical, laboratory, field and workplace subjects use approved facilities and supervision appropriate to the programme.
3 learning stages 21 subjects
1Stage 1: Foundations6 subjects
2Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects9 subjects
3Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration6 subjects
Subjects in this programme
The subjects are grouped by learning stage, from foundations to specialist study and supervised application. Complete earlier foundations before the related advanced work. Clinical, laboratory, field and workplace subjects use approved facilities and supervision appropriate to the programme.
21 subjects are listed below with a short description of each. The Subject descriptions tab contains the learning outcomes, topics, practical tasks and assessments.
Stage 1: Foundations
- Technical Numeracy. Examine units, ratios and their relationship within technical numeracy. The subject develops measurement and geometry, then examines graphs and checking calculations. Solve measurements and costing problems from a practical teaching task.
- Mechanics and General Physics. Develop your understanding of mechanics and general physics through motion and forces. The subject develops energy and momentum, then examines oscillations and measurement uncertainty. Use a supervised teaching experiment to compare observation with a physical model.
- Electrical and Electronic Fundamentals. Study electrical quantities and components as foundations for electrical and electronic fundamentals. The subject develops simple circuits and signals, then examines measurement and safe limits. Use current-limited low-voltage teaching equipment with supervision.
- Engineering Drawing and CAD. Examine orthographic views, sections and their relationship within engineering drawing and cad. The subject develops dimensions and tolerances, then examines assembly drawings and digital modelling. Produce drawings for a non-safety-critical teaching component.
- Academic and Professional Communication. Develop your understanding of academic and professional communication through reading strategies and evidence use. The subject develops report structure and presentations, then examines audience and referencing. Prepare a report and presentation for a defined professional audience.
- Digital Information Skills. Study file organisation and word processing as foundations for digital information skills. The subject develops spreadsheets and online information, then examines account security and data integrity. Organise files and analyse a small dataset using common digital tools.
Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects
- Circuit Analysis. Examine circuit quantities, network laws and their relationship within circuit analysis. The subject develops resistive circuits and transients, then examines alternating-current circuits and measurement. Analyse and test low-voltage teaching circuits under supervision.
- Electrical Machines. Develop your understanding of electrical machines through transformers and electromechanical conversion. The subject develops dc machines and ac machines, then examines operating characteristics and losses. Interpret results from supervised machine demonstrations or a validated simulation.
- Distribution and Electrification. Study demand estimation and distribution layouts as foundations for distribution and electrification. The subject develops voltage regulation and losses, then examines reliability and community requirements. Compare electrification options for a defined regional teaching case.
- Electrical Protection. Examine fault types, protection functions and their relationship within electrical protection. The subject develops coordination and earthing concepts, then examines equipment ratings and safe isolation responsibilities. Evaluate a supplied protection case without operating a live installation.
- Renewable Energy Technologies. Develop your understanding of renewable energy technologies through solar energy and wind energy. The subject develops small hydropower and bioenergy, then examines storage and resource comparison. Compare locally relevant renewable options using public resource data.
- Solar Photovoltaic Systems. Study solar resource and pv components as foundations for solar photovoltaic systems. The subject develops energy yield and storage interfaces, then examines power conditioning and system losses. Evaluate an approved PV teaching system or monitoring dataset.
- PV Planning and Maintenance. Examine load assessment, site constraints and their relationship within pv planning and maintenance. The subject develops component selection and protection concepts, then examines maintenance and verification. Develop a supervised PV teaching proposal within authorised electrical scope.
- Energy Systems and Transition. Develop your understanding of energy systems and transition through energy demand and resource options. The subject develops conversion and reliability, then examines emissions and transition decisions. Compare energy options for a defined regional institutional need.
- Maintenance and Reliability. Study asset functions and failure modes as foundations for maintenance and reliability. The subject develops preventive maintenance and condition information, then examines availability and maintenance records. Develop a maintenance proposal for an approved teaching asset.
Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration
- Occupational Safety and Risk. Examine hazard identification, exposure and their relationship within occupational safety and risk. The subject develops risk assessment and hierarchy of controls, then examines incident learning and worker participation. Review an authorised workplace case and propose proportionate controls.
- Quality Management and Improvement. Develop your understanding of quality management and improvement through quality criteria and process variation. The subject develops traceability and nonconformity, then examines corrective action and improvement measures. Investigate a quality problem using permissioned records or teaching data.
- Engineering Economics. Study time value of money and cost estimation as foundations for engineering economics. The subject develops lifecycle costs and investment appraisal, then examines sensitivity and resource decisions. Compare two feasible project options using transparent cost assumptions.
- Supervised Workplace Learning. Examine workplace roles, approved task planning and their relationship within supervised workplace learning. The subject develops professional conduct and technical records, then examines feedback and reflective learning. Complete an agreed placement task under an approved workplace supervisor.
- Project Development and Feasibility. Develop your understanding of project development and feasibility through problem definition and evidence review. The subject develops requirements and method selection, then examines feasibility and evaluation criteria. Develop an approved discipline-specific project proposal with a supervisor.
- Integrated Project and Technical Report. Study implementation and evidence collection as foundations for integrated project and technical report. The subject develops analysis and verification, then examines limitations and communication. Complete the approved project and maintain an auditable evidence record.
Assessment and practical learning
- Proposed assessment: short knowledge checks, calculations and interpretation of technical information.
- Direct observation of authorised practical tasks, supported by an individual record of preparation, results and quality checks.
- An applied project and oral explanation. Weighting, external examinations and award requirements remain subject to the approved BMIT and awarding-body arrangements.
Practical application
Practical work requires suitable PV teaching equipment and qualified electrical supervision. Live electrical connections, work at height and battery systems need formal controls and authorised personnel. The diploma outline does not confer electrician registration or authority to certify installations. Online learning cannot replace observed workshop competence.
Subject descriptions
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Stage 1: Foundations
Technical Numeracy
Examine units, ratios and their relationship within technical numeracy. The subject develops measurement and geometry, then examines graphs and checking calculations. Solve measurements and costing problems from a practical teaching task.
Learning outcomes
- Explain units and ratios using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving measurement and geometry.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing graphs and checking calculations.
Main topics
- Units
- Ratios
- Measurement
- Geometry
- Graphs
- Checking calculations
Practical task
Solve measurements and costing problems from a practical teaching task.
Assessment
Submit checked calculations with units and a clear explanation.
Mechanics and General Physics
Develop your understanding of mechanics and general physics through motion and forces. The subject develops energy and momentum, then examines oscillations and measurement uncertainty. Use a supervised teaching experiment to compare observation with a physical model.
Learning outcomes
- Explain motion and forces using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving energy and momentum.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing oscillations and measurement uncertainty.
Main topics
- Motion
- Forces
- Energy
- Momentum
- Oscillations
- Measurement uncertainty
Practical task
Use a supervised teaching experiment to compare observation with a physical model.
Assessment
Submit a laboratory report and quantitative problem set.
Electrical and Electronic Fundamentals
Study electrical quantities and components as foundations for electrical and electronic fundamentals. The subject develops simple circuits and signals, then examines measurement and safe limits. Use current-limited low-voltage teaching equipment with supervision.
Learning outcomes
- Explain electrical quantities and components using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving simple circuits and signals.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing measurement and safe limits.
Main topics
- Electrical quantities
- Components
- Simple circuits
- Signals
- Measurement
- Safe limits
Practical task
Use current-limited low-voltage teaching equipment with supervision.
Assessment
Submit observed practical evidence and basic circuit explanations.
Engineering Drawing and CAD
Examine orthographic views, sections and their relationship within engineering drawing and cad. The subject develops dimensions and tolerances, then examines assembly drawings and digital modelling. Produce drawings for a non-safety-critical teaching component.
Learning outcomes
- Explain orthographic views and sections using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving dimensions and tolerances.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing assembly drawings and digital modelling.
Main topics
- Orthographic views
- Sections
- Dimensions
- Tolerances
- Assembly drawings
- Digital modelling
Practical task
Produce drawings for a non-safety-critical teaching component.
Assessment
Submit dimensioned drawings and explain design communication choices.
Academic and Professional Communication
Develop your understanding of academic and professional communication through reading strategies and evidence use. The subject develops report structure and presentations, then examines audience and referencing. Prepare a report and presentation for a defined professional audience.
Learning outcomes
- Explain reading strategies and evidence use using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving report structure and presentations.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing audience and referencing.
Main topics
- Reading strategies
- Evidence use
- Report structure
- Presentations
- Audience
- Referencing
Practical task
Prepare a report and presentation for a defined professional audience.
Assessment
Submit revised written work and an individual presentation.
Digital Information Skills
Study file organisation and word processing as foundations for digital information skills. The subject develops spreadsheets and online information, then examines account security and data integrity. Organise files and analyse a small dataset using common digital tools.
Learning outcomes
- Explain file organisation and word processing using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving spreadsheets and online information.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing account security and data integrity.
Main topics
- File organisation
- Word processing
- Spreadsheets
- Online information
- Account security
- Data integrity
Practical task
Organise files and analyse a small dataset using common digital tools.
Assessment
Submit a digital portfolio demonstrating accurate and responsible work.
Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects
Circuit Analysis
Examine circuit quantities, network laws and their relationship within circuit analysis. The subject develops resistive circuits and transients, then examines alternating-current circuits and measurement. Analyse and test low-voltage teaching circuits under supervision.
Learning outcomes
- Explain circuit quantities and network laws using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving resistive circuits and transients.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing alternating-current circuits and measurement.
Main topics
- Circuit quantities
- Network laws
- Resistive circuits
- Transients
- Alternating-current circuits
- Measurement
Practical task
Analyse and test low-voltage teaching circuits under supervision.
Assessment
Submit circuit calculations and a measured-results record.
Electrical Machines
Develop your understanding of electrical machines through transformers and electromechanical conversion. The subject develops dc machines and ac machines, then examines operating characteristics and losses. Interpret results from supervised machine demonstrations or a validated simulation.
Learning outcomes
- Explain transformers and electromechanical conversion using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving dc machines and ac machines.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing operating characteristics and losses.
Main topics
- Transformers
- Electromechanical conversion
- DC machines
- AC machines
- Operating characteristics
- Losses
Practical task
Interpret results from supervised machine demonstrations or a validated simulation.
Assessment
Submit machine-performance calculations and a report.
Distribution and Electrification
Study demand estimation and distribution layouts as foundations for distribution and electrification. The subject develops voltage regulation and losses, then examines reliability and community requirements. Compare electrification options for a defined regional teaching case.
Learning outcomes
- Explain demand estimation and distribution layouts using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving voltage regulation and losses.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing reliability and community requirements.
Main topics
- Demand estimation
- Distribution layouts
- Voltage regulation
- Losses
- Reliability
- Community requirements
Practical task
Compare electrification options for a defined regional teaching case.
Assessment
Submit a distribution study and service-reliability discussion.
Electrical Protection
Examine fault types, protection functions and their relationship within electrical protection. The subject develops coordination and earthing concepts, then examines equipment ratings and safe isolation responsibilities. Evaluate a supplied protection case without operating a live installation.
Learning outcomes
- Explain fault types and protection functions using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving coordination and earthing concepts.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing equipment ratings and safe isolation responsibilities.
Main topics
- Fault types
- Protection functions
- Coordination
- Earthing concepts
- Equipment ratings
- Safe isolation responsibilities
Practical task
Evaluate a supplied protection case without operating a live installation.
Assessment
Submit a coordination and safety-responsibility case report.
Renewable Energy Technologies
Develop your understanding of renewable energy technologies through solar energy and wind energy. The subject develops small hydropower and bioenergy, then examines storage and resource comparison. Compare locally relevant renewable options using public resource data.
Learning outcomes
- Explain solar energy and wind energy using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving small hydropower and bioenergy.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing storage and resource comparison.
Main topics
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
- Small hydropower
- Bioenergy
- Storage
- Resource comparison
Practical task
Compare locally relevant renewable options using public resource data.
Assessment
Submit a technology-selection report with lifecycle considerations.
Solar Photovoltaic Systems
Study solar resource and pv components as foundations for solar photovoltaic systems. The subject develops energy yield and storage interfaces, then examines power conditioning and system losses. Evaluate an approved PV teaching system or monitoring dataset.
Learning outcomes
- Explain solar resource and pv components using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving energy yield and storage interfaces.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing power conditioning and system losses.
Main topics
- Solar resource
- PV components
- Energy yield
- Storage interfaces
- Power conditioning
- System losses
Practical task
Evaluate an approved PV teaching system or monitoring dataset.
Assessment
Submit an energy-yield and system-performance report.
PV Planning and Maintenance
Examine load assessment, site constraints and their relationship within pv planning and maintenance. The subject develops component selection and protection concepts, then examines maintenance and verification. Develop a supervised PV teaching proposal within authorised electrical scope.
Learning outcomes
- Explain load assessment and site constraints using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving component selection and protection concepts.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing maintenance and verification.
Main topics
- Load assessment
- Site constraints
- Component selection
- Protection concepts
- Maintenance
- Verification
Practical task
Develop a supervised PV teaching proposal within authorised electrical scope.
Assessment
Submit a system plan, maintenance record and verification evidence.
Energy Systems and Transition
Develop your understanding of energy systems and transition through energy demand and resource options. The subject develops conversion and reliability, then examines emissions and transition decisions. Compare energy options for a defined regional institutional need.
Learning outcomes
- Explain energy demand and resource options using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving conversion and reliability.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing emissions and transition decisions.
Main topics
- Energy demand
- Resource options
- Conversion
- Reliability
- Emissions
- Transition decisions
Practical task
Compare energy options for a defined regional institutional need.
Assessment
Submit an evidence-based energy-system appraisal.
Maintenance and Reliability
Study asset functions and failure modes as foundations for maintenance and reliability. The subject develops preventive maintenance and condition information, then examines availability and maintenance records. Develop a maintenance proposal for an approved teaching asset.
Learning outcomes
- Explain asset functions and failure modes using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving preventive maintenance and condition information.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing availability and maintenance records.
Main topics
- Asset functions
- Failure modes
- Preventive maintenance
- Condition information
- Availability
- Maintenance records
Practical task
Develop a maintenance proposal for an approved teaching asset.
Assessment
Submit a reliability analysis and justified maintenance schedule.
Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration
Occupational Safety and Risk
Examine hazard identification, exposure and their relationship within occupational safety and risk. The subject develops risk assessment and hierarchy of controls, then examines incident learning and worker participation. Review an authorised workplace case and propose proportionate controls.
Learning outcomes
- Explain hazard identification and exposure using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving risk assessment and hierarchy of controls.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing incident learning and worker participation.
Main topics
- Hazard identification
- Exposure
- Risk assessment
- Hierarchy of controls
- Incident learning
- Worker participation
Practical task
Review an authorised workplace case and propose proportionate controls.
Assessment
Submit a risk assessment and a follow-up evaluation plan.
Quality Management and Improvement
Develop your understanding of quality management and improvement through quality criteria and process variation. The subject develops traceability and nonconformity, then examines corrective action and improvement measures. Investigate a quality problem using permissioned records or teaching data.
Learning outcomes
- Explain quality criteria and process variation using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving traceability and nonconformity.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing corrective action and improvement measures.
Main topics
- Quality criteria
- Process variation
- Traceability
- Nonconformity
- Corrective action
- Improvement measures
Practical task
Investigate a quality problem using permissioned records or teaching data.
Assessment
Submit a quality review and a measurable improvement proposal.
Engineering Economics
Study time value of money and cost estimation as foundations for engineering economics. The subject develops lifecycle costs and investment appraisal, then examines sensitivity and resource decisions. Compare two feasible project options using transparent cost assumptions.
Learning outcomes
- Explain time value of money and cost estimation using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving lifecycle costs and investment appraisal.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing sensitivity and resource decisions.
Main topics
- Time value of money
- Cost estimation
- Lifecycle costs
- Investment appraisal
- Sensitivity
- Resource decisions
Practical task
Compare two feasible project options using transparent cost assumptions.
Assessment
Submit an economic appraisal and sensitivity analysis.
Supervised Workplace Learning
Examine workplace roles, approved task planning and their relationship within supervised workplace learning. The subject develops professional conduct and technical records, then examines feedback and reflective learning. Complete an agreed placement task under an approved workplace supervisor.
Learning outcomes
- Explain workplace roles and approved task planning using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving professional conduct and technical records.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing feedback and reflective learning.
Main topics
- Workplace roles
- Approved task planning
- Professional conduct
- Technical records
- Feedback
- Reflective learning
Practical task
Complete an agreed placement task under an approved workplace supervisor.
Assessment
Submit an authenticated work portfolio and reflective presentation.
Project Development and Feasibility
Develop your understanding of project development and feasibility through problem definition and evidence review. The subject develops requirements and method selection, then examines feasibility and evaluation criteria. Develop an approved discipline-specific project proposal with a supervisor.
Learning outcomes
- Explain problem definition and evidence review using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving requirements and method selection.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing feasibility and evaluation criteria.
Main topics
- Problem definition
- Evidence review
- Requirements
- Method selection
- Feasibility
- Evaluation criteria
Practical task
Develop an approved discipline-specific project proposal with a supervisor.
Assessment
Submit a proposal, evidence review and evaluation plan.
Integrated Project and Technical Report
Study implementation and evidence collection as foundations for integrated project and technical report. The subject develops analysis and verification, then examines limitations and communication. Complete the approved project and maintain an auditable evidence record.
Learning outcomes
- Explain implementation and evidence collection using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving analysis and verification.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing limitations and communication.
Main topics
- Implementation
- Evidence collection
- Analysis
- Verification
- Limitations
- Communication
Practical task
Complete the approved project and maintain an auditable evidence record.
Assessment
Submit the final project, report and individual oral defence.
Instructors
