DTU - Introduction to solar cells
5.0 /5- Offered byCoursera
Introduction to solar cells at Coursera Overview
Duration | 23 hours |
Total fee | Free |
Mode of learning | Online |
Difficulty level | Beginner |
Official Website | Explore Free Course  |
Credential | Certificate |
Introduction to solar cells at Coursera Highlights
- 42% started a new career after completing these courses.
- 49% got a tangible career benefit from this course.
- Earn a shareable certificate upon completion.
Introduction to solar cells at Coursera Course details
- How do solar cells work, why do we need, and how can we measure their efficiency? These are just some of the questions Introduction to solar cells tackles. Whether you are looking for general insight in this green technology or your ambition is to pursue a career in solar, ?Introduction to Solar Cells? is an excellent starting point.
- The course is a tour through the fundamental disciplines including solar cell history, why we need solar energy, how solar cells produce power, and how they work. During the course we cover mono- and multi-crystalline solar cells, thin film solar cells, and new emerging technologies. The course includes hands-on exercises using virtual instruments, interviews with field experts, and a comprehensive collection of material on solar cells.
- At the end of the course you will have gained a fundamental understanding of the field. This will allow you to identify the most interesting or relevant aspects to be pursued in your future studies or in your professional career.
Introduction to solar cells at Coursera Curriculum
Introduction
Welcome to Introduction to Solar Cells
History of solar cells
Space applications for solar cells
Solar cell history
Invention of the modern solar cell
Space applications
Solar cells for planetary exploration
Additional resources
History of solar cells
Solar constants
Deep space
History
Space
Why do we need renewable energy?
Why do we need solar energy?
Sunlight at Earth
Energy sources
Available energy
Sunlight at Earth
Area need
Additional resources
Direct radiation at Earth
Can solar cells cover our needs?
Energy sources
Sunlight at Earth
Power from solar cells
Solar cell efficiency
Power from a solar cell
The IV curve
Measuring an IV curve
Light sources
Power from a solar cell
Measuring power using an electronic load
Taking the sun inside
Additional resources
Measure maximum power output
Power from a solar cell
Power from a solar cell
Light
Modelling a solar cell
Series and parallel connections
Modelling a solar cell
Parasitic resistances
Series and parallel connections
Shadow effects
Additional resources
Solar cell modelling
Solar cell connections
Equivalent circuit
Connected solar cells
How do solar cells work
How do solar cells work?
Semiconductors
The pn-junction
How do solar cells work
Semiconductors
Light interaction
Conductivity and doping
The p-n junction
Additional resources
Color response
Semiconductors
Photon energy
Doping
Semiconductors and doping
How do solar cells work
How efficient can solar cells be?
Reflection and absorption
Theoretical solar cell efficiency
Tandem and multi-junction solar cells
Reflection and absorption
Additional resources
Efficiency
Theoretical efficiency
Efficiency
Losses
Silicon solar cells
Silicon solar cells
How do silicon solar cells work
How are silicon solar cells made?
How are silicon solar cells fabricated
Summary
Crystalline silicon solar cells
How do silicon solar cells work
Production of silicon solar cells
From sand to high quality silicon
Production of standard silicon solar cells
Summary
Additional resources
Working principles of silicon solar cells
Production
Silicon solar cells
Fabrication
Thin film solar cells
Thin film technologies
Thin film solar cell production
Summary
Thin film solar cells
Working principle of CIGS solar cells
Production of CIGS solar cells
Summary
Additional resources
Thin film
Working principle
Production
Thin film solar cells
Energy production
Polymer solar cells
Polymer solar cells
How do polymer solar cells work
Production of polymer solar cells
Coating techniques
Printing techniques
Summary
What are polymer solar cells
How do polymer solar cells work
The layer stack
Production of polymer solar cells
Coating techniques
Printing techniques
Summary
Additional resources
Working principles of polymer solar cells
Production
Printing and coating
Polymer solar cells
Production
Three generations of solar cells
Emerging solar cell technologies
Three generations of solar cells
Emerging solar cell technologies
Comparison of solar cell technologies
Additional resources
Farewell
Solar cell technologies
Solar cell technologies
Solar cells
Course experience questionnaire
Other courses offered by Coursera
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?