Physics of silicon solar cells
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Physics of silicon solar cells at Coursera Overview
Duration | 13 hours |
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Total fee | Free |
Mode of learning | Online |
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Credential | Certificate |
Physics of silicon solar cells at Coursera Highlights
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Physics of silicon solar cells at Coursera Course details
- The first MOOC ?Photovoltaic solar energy? is a general presentation of the solar photovoltaics technologies in the global energetic context, without extensive details. In particular the description of the solar cell operation is restricted to the ideal case
- In contrast this second MOOC allows a deep understanding of the properties of solar cells based on crystalline semiconductors. It consists in a general presentation of the physics of the photovoltaics devices with a particular emphasize on the silicon technology that currently represents more than 90% share of the market. Photovoltaic applications of III-V semiconductors are also mentioned.
- Indeed from a fundamental point of view, a solar cell can be considered as a semiconductor device (a diode) exposed to the sunlight. An introduction to the semiconductor physics is given, followed by the electron transport phenomena in a diode device. A detailed description of the solar cell operation is then provided, including the conversion efficiency limitations. A description of the solar spectrum and the optical properties of the cells are also presented. Finally the crystalline silicon technology is described from the bulk crystalline growth up to the preparation of heterojunctions combining crystalline and amorphous materials.
Physics of silicon solar cells at Coursera Curriculum
INTRODUCTION TO SEMICONDUCTOR PHYSICS
1. Introduction
2. Band structure
3. Band structure (cont.)
4. Optical absorption
5. Intrinsic semiconductors
6. Semiconductor doping
7. Carrier densities at thermal equilibrium
Worked Problem - Carrier Densities at Equilibrium
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Band Structure
Doping
Test: Semiconductor Physics
TRANSPORT PHENOMENA : THE p-n JUNCTION
1. Transport phenomena
2. Carrier injection by light. Recombination
3. The equilibrium p - n junction
4. The non-equilibrium p - n junction
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
Worked Problem - Implied Open Circuit Voltage
Impurities in Semiconductors
p-n Junction
Test - Quasi-Equilibrium
ASYMMETRICAL DEVICES
1. The metal-semiconductor contact at equilibrium
2. Non-equilibrium metal-semiconductor contact
3. Ohmic contacts
4. The semiconductor surface - Heterojunctions
Worked Problem - Semiconductor Heterojunctions
Metal-Semiconductor Contact
Test - Asymmetrical Junctions
SOLAR CELL OPERATION
1. Solar radiation
2. Solar spectrum
Worked Problem - Total Irradiance
3. Solar cell fundamentals
Worked Problem - The I-V Characteristic
4. Multi-junctions - Conversion efficiency limitations
5. Solar cell optics
Worked Problem - Solar Cell under Concentration
6. From cell to module
Appendix 1
Solar Spectrum
Conversion Efficiency
Solar Cell Optics
CRYSTALLINE SEMICONDUCTOR SOLAR CELLS
1. Crystalline silicon metallurgy
2. Crystal growth and wafering
3. Crystalline silicon solar cells
4. Crystalline silicon solar cells (cont.)
Worked Problem: VOC and Temperature
5. Cells based on III-V compounds
6. Use of microelectronic processes
Silicon Metallurgy
Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells
III-V Semiconductor Solar Cells
Test - Crystalline Solar Cell Operation
SILICON HETEROJUNCTIONS
1. Silicon heterojunctions (HIT)
Worked Problem: Silicon Heterojunction
Appendix 1
Heterojunctions
Test - Silicon Heterojunctions
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