Solar Energy: Photovoltaic (PV) Technologies (edX)

Explore the main PV technologies in the current market. Get in-depth knowledge on the design and processing methods of solar cells. The technologies used to produce solar cells and photovoltaic modules are advancing to deliver highly efficient and flexible solar panels. In this course you will explore the main PV technologies in the current market.

You will gain in-depth knowledge about crystalline silicon based solar cells (90% market share) as well as other up and coming technologies like CdTe, CIGS and Perovskites. This course provides answers to the questions: How are solar cells made from raw materials? Which technologies have the potential to be the major players for different applications in the future?

This course is part of the Solar Energy Engineering MicroMasters Program designed to cover all physics and engineering aspects of photovoltaics: photovoltaic energy conversion, technologies and systems.

What you’ll learn

– Design concepts and fabrication processes of various photovoltaic technologies,

– In-depth knowledge on the entire crystalline silicon solar cell landscape including,

. Market-leading polycrystalline based cells

. High efficiency/cutting edge monocrystalline based solar cells

– Application of thin film solar cells, like CIGS, CdTe, thin-film silicon, Perovskites,

– Concentrated PV and space applications for III/V semiconductor based solar cells.

Course Syllabus

Part 1. Crystalline silicon

Week 1. Introduction & Crystalline Silicon I

1.2 Introduction to Silicon

1.3 Silicon Processing

Week 2. Crystalline Silicon II

2.1 c-Si Solar Cell Design

2.2 Advanced cell design

2.3 From cell to module

Part 2. Solar Cell Characterization

Week 3. Solar cell characterization

3.1 J-V Measurement

3.2 EQE Measurement

3.3 Reflectance – Transmittance Measurement

3.4 Lifetime Measurement

EXAM

Part 3. Thin Film Processing

Week 4. Thin Film Processing

4.1 Thin Film Design

4.2 Thin Film Deposition

Part 4. Thin Film Technologies

Week 5. Thin Film Silicon

5.1 TF Silicon Properties

5.2 Major Challenges

5.3 TF Silicon Processing

5.4 State of the Art TF Silicon Devices

EXAM

Week 6. Chalcogenides & III-V Technologies

6.1 Chalcogenides – CIGS

6.2 Chalcogenides – CdTe

6.3 III-V – Material and Devices

6.4 III-V – Special Applications

Week 7. Organic Photovoltaics

7.1 OPV Basics

7.2 OPV Technologies

7.3 Perovskites

Part 5. Comparing and Combining Technologies

Week 8. Comparing & Combining Technologies

8.1 Comparing PV Technologies

8.2 Hybrid PV Devices

8.3 Hybrid PV Systems

EXAM