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2017　Introduction to Photovoltaics

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Academic unit or major
Graduate major in Energy Science and Engineering
Instructor(s)
Miyajima Shinsuke 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Mon5-6(S321)  Thr5-6(S321)  
Group
-
Course number
ENR.L410
Credits
2
Academic year
2017
Offered quarter
2Q
Syllabus updated
2017/4/13
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
English
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Course description and aims

Photovoltaic (PV) power generation is known as an important renewable energy. Photovoltaic power generation is based on solar cells. Topics covered in this course will include the following: basics of photovoltaics effect, semiconductor physics, solar cells, advanced design of solar cells, and PV systems.

This course will provide a comprehensive overview of photovoltaics power generation. Next, basic semiconductor physics which are required to understand the operation of solar cells will be introduced. The course will demonstrate how solar cells generate electricity, structures of solar cells and techniques to improve the conversion efficiency. The course will be concluded by discussing PV systems.

Student learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Understand photovoltaic effect
2. Explain the operation of solar cells and conversion efficiency
3. Illustrate structure of high efficiency solar cells
4. Show how solar cells are manufactured
5. Analyze solar cells by using device simulator
6. Understand structures of PV systems

Keywords

Photovoltaics, Solar cells, Semiconductor, pn junction, Heterojunction, Thin films

Competencies that will be developed

✔ Specialist skills Intercultural skills Communication skills Critical thinking skills ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

At the beginning of each class, solutions to exercise problems that were assigned during the previous class are reviewed. Towards the end of class, students are given exercise problems related to the lecture given that day to solve. To prepare for class, students should read the course schedule section and check what topics will be covered. Required learning should be completed outside of the classroom for preparation and review purposes.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Sunlight, solar cells and photovoltaics Understand the solar spectrum and photovoltaic effect.
Class 2 Review of semiconductor properties Brief review of properties of semiconductor materials.
Class 3 Generation, recombination, and the basic equation of device physics Explain carrier recombination in a semiconductor material and basic equations of semiconductor devices.
Class 4 pn junction Explain the principle of pn junction.
Class 5 Efficiency limits and basic characterization techniques Calculate efficiency limit of solar cells and explain basic characterization techniques.
Class 6 Standard silicon solar cell technology Explain the structure of conventional silicon solar cells.
Class 7 Manufacturing technology of standard silicon solar cells Explain the manufacturing technology of silicon solar cells -impurity diffusion, plasma-CVD, screen printing-
Class 8 Summary of the first half of the lecture Summarize the first half of the lecture and discussions.
Class 9 Improved silicon solar cell technology-Heterojunction technology Explain the silicon heterojunction technology - hydrogenated amorphous silicon -
Class 10 Improved silicon solar cell technology-PERC and back contact Explain advanced solar cell technology
Class 11 Thin film solar cells - Inorganic compound semiconductor Review the chalcopyrite based compound semiconductor solar cells.
Class 12 Thin film solar cells - Perovskite related materials Review the organic-inorganic perovskite materials and their solar cell application.
Class 13 Advanced characterization techniques and device simulation Explain the advanced characterization techniques for solar cells and device simulations.
Class 14 PV modules Review of the PV module.
Class 15 Basics of the PV systems Explain the components of PV systems.

Textbook(s)

There is no textbook for the lectures. Reading materials will be distributed on the web.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

M. Green, "Solar Cells, Operating Principles, Technology and System Applications" Prentice-Hall Inc.

Assessment criteria and methods

Evaluation will be based on the term end examination and the exercises which is assigned during the classes. Student's knowledge of solar cells and photovoltaic systems will be assessed.

Related courses

  • EEE.D211 ： Semiconductor Physics
  • ENR.H410 ： Topics in Properties of Semiconductors

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

Students are expected to have basic knowledge of semiconductor materials, quantum mechanics (or quantum chemistry).

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