The course provides basic understanding of physics and technology of photovoltaic devices, from first generation silicon solar cells (crystalline, polycrystalline, amorphous) to second (thin-films technology) and third generation (multi-junction) solar cells. The course deals with devices, modules and systems and includes an introduction to storage and distribution of solar energy. The objective is to provide the specific knowledge for the design, analysis and characterization of solar cells and systems. The course includes a number of laboratory experiments on solar cells and SPICE simulations
teacher profile teaching materials
Physics of the Solar Cell: Solar radiation. Fundamentals of semiconductors. Light absorption. Recombination. Carrier transport. Solar cell fundamentals. I–V characteristics and relevant parameters. Efficient solar cells. Surface recombination. Efficiency and band gap. Spectral response. Parasitic resistance. Temperature effects. Concentrator solar cells. High-level injection. Limitation on energy conversion. Concepts for improving the efficiency.
Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells and Modules: Crystalline Silicon. Crystalline Si solar cells. Manufacturing. Crystalline Si photovoltaic modules. Electrical and optical performance of modules. Field performance.
Thin-film Silicon Solar Cells: Review of current thin-film Si cells. Design concepts of TF-Si solar cells. Future trends.
High-Efficiency III-V Multijunction Solar Cells: Physics of III-V multijunction solar cells. Cell configuration. Computation of device performance. Materials issues. Future-generation solar cells.
Photovoltaic Concentrators: Basic types of concentrators. Historical overview. Optics of concentrators.
Amorphous Silicon–based Solar Cells: Atomic and electronic structure of hydrogenated amorphous Silicon. Depositing amorphous Si. Understanding a-Si cells. Multijunctions. Continuous roll-to-roll manufacturing on flexible substrates.
Cu(InGa)Se2 Solar Cells: Material properties. Deposition. Junction and device formation. Device operation. Manufacturing. Device performance.
Measurement and Characterization of Solar Cells and Modules: Rating PV performance. I-V Measurements. Spectral responsivity. Module qualification and certification.
Photovoltaic Systems: Introduction to PV systems and applications. Components for PV systems. Future developments in photovoltaic system technology. Electrochemical storage. Power conditioning. Energy collected and delivered by PV modules. Economic analysis and environmental aspects of photovoltaics.
PC1D simulation of solar cells.
Laboratory experiments: I-V characterization, extraction of relevant parameters.
J. Nelson "Physics of Solar Cells" Imperial College Press 1st (first) Edition
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Programme
Introduction: History of photovoltaics. PV costs, markets and forecasts. Goals of today’s PV research and manufacturing. Global trends in performance and applications. Progress and challenges. Concentration PV systems. Future of emerging PV technologies.Physics of the Solar Cell: Solar radiation. Fundamentals of semiconductors. Light absorption. Recombination. Carrier transport. Solar cell fundamentals. I–V characteristics and relevant parameters. Efficient solar cells. Surface recombination. Efficiency and band gap. Spectral response. Parasitic resistance. Temperature effects. Concentrator solar cells. High-level injection. Limitation on energy conversion. Concepts for improving the efficiency.
Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells and Modules: Crystalline Silicon. Crystalline Si solar cells. Manufacturing. Crystalline Si photovoltaic modules. Electrical and optical performance of modules. Field performance.
Thin-film Silicon Solar Cells: Review of current thin-film Si cells. Design concepts of TF-Si solar cells. Future trends.
High-Efficiency III-V Multijunction Solar Cells: Physics of III-V multijunction solar cells. Cell configuration. Computation of device performance. Materials issues. Future-generation solar cells.
Photovoltaic Concentrators: Basic types of concentrators. Historical overview. Optics of concentrators.
Amorphous Silicon–based Solar Cells: Atomic and electronic structure of hydrogenated amorphous Silicon. Depositing amorphous Si. Understanding a-Si cells. Multijunctions. Continuous roll-to-roll manufacturing on flexible substrates.
Cu(InGa)Se2 Solar Cells: Material properties. Deposition. Junction and device formation. Device operation. Manufacturing. Device performance.
Measurement and Characterization of Solar Cells and Modules: Rating PV performance. I-V Measurements. Spectral responsivity. Module qualification and certification.
Photovoltaic Systems: Introduction to PV systems and applications. Components for PV systems. Future developments in photovoltaic system technology. Electrochemical storage. Power conditioning. Energy collected and delivered by PV modules. Economic analysis and environmental aspects of photovoltaics.
PC1D simulation of solar cells.
Laboratory experiments: I-V characterization, extraction of relevant parameters.
Core Documentation
M.A. Green "Solar Cells: Operating Principles, Technology, and System Applications" (Prentice-Hall)J. Nelson "Physics of Solar Cells" Imperial College Press 1st (first) Edition
+ additional contents on Moodle e-learning platform