Fundamentals of Photovoltaics

Calendar & Readings

In the first half of the term, the course operates in a “flipped classroom” mode. For lectures 2 through 12, before each class period, please watch the assigned MIT OpenCourseWare video lecture (per the table below), recorded during the Fall 2011 term. Class meetings on those days are devoted to further discussion and in-class activities. A sampling of some in-class activities is provided below.

Readings Key

[PVCDROM] = Honsberg, C., and S. Bowden. Photovoltaics: Devices, Systems and Applications CD-ROM. [A free online resource.]

[Green]= Green, M. A. Solar Cells: Operating Principles, Technology, and System Applications. Prentice Hall, 1981. ISBN: 9780138222703.

LEC #	LECTURE TOPICS & ACTIVITIES	PREPARATION: VIDEOS & READINGS	ASSIGNMENTS
Unit 1: Fundamentals of PV Devices and Systems
1	Class Introduction; Solar Technology Framework		Background Assessment Quiz (PDF) (not for grade)
2	The Solar Resource In-Class Activities PVWatts Calculator. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. [PVCDROM] Appendix, “Standard Solar Spectra.”	Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCW Lecture 2: The Solar Resource Read [PVCDROM] Chapter 2: Properties of Sunlight. [Green] Chapter 1: Solar Cells and Sunlight.	Problem set 1 out
3	Light Management	Watch Tutorial Video Tutorial: Texturing Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCW Lecture 3: Light Absorption and Optical Losses Read [PVCDROM] Chapter 3: PN Junction.
4	Charge Excitation	Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCW Lecture 4: Charge Excitation  Read [Green] Chapter 2: Review of Semiconductor Properties. and Chapter 3: Generation, Recombination, and the Basic Equations of Device Physics.	Problem set 1 due Problem set 2 out
5	Charge Separation I	Watch Tutorial Video Tutorial: Doping Tutorial: Photoconductivity Tutorial: Solar Cell Operation Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCW Lecture 5: Charge Separation, Part I Read [PVCDROM] Chapter 3: PN Junction.
6	Charge Separation II Class Projects: Describe existing ideas and provide opportunity to pitch new ideas.	Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCW Lecture 6: Charge Separation, Part II	Problem set 2 due Problem set 3 out
7	Advanced Semiconductor Physics In-Class Activities In-class problem set (PDF) IV Curve Measurement	Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCW Lecture 7: Toward a 1D Device Model, Part I: Device Fundamentals Read Schroder, D. K. “Solar Cell Contact Resistance–A Review.” IEEE Transactions Electron Devices 31, no. 5 (1984): 637–47.
8	Materials Properties Affecting Performance	Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCW Lecture 8: Toward a 1D Device Model, Part II: Material Fundamentals	Form project teams
9	Charge Collection (Contacts & Metallization)	Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCW Lecture 9: Charge Extraction	Problem set 3 due Quiz 1 out
**Unit 2: PV Technologies (Commercial and Emerging)**
10	Commercial Technologies: Silicon I	Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCW Lecture 10: Wafer Silicon-Based Solar Cells, Part I Read (optional) McEvoy, A., T. Markvart, and Luis Castañer, eds. Solar Cells: Materials, Manufacture and Operation. 2nd ed. Academic Press, 2012. ISBN: 9780123869647. Cuevas, A., D. Macdonald and R. A Sinton. Chapter IIA-1: “Characterization and Diagnosis of Silicon Wafers, Ingots, and Solar Cells.” Verlinden, P. J. Chapter IC-5: “High-Efficiency Back-Contact Silicon Solar Cells for One-Sun and Concentrator Applications.” Luque, A., and S. Hegedus, eds. Chapters in Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering. 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., 2011. ISBN: 9780470721698. Ceccaroli, B., and O. Lohne. Excerpt of Chapter 5: “Solar Grade Silicon Feedstock.” pp. 169–93. Rodriguez, H., I. Geurrero, et al. Excerpt of Chapter 6: “Bulk Crystal Growth and Wafering for PV.” pp. 218–39. Tobias, I., C. del Canizo, and J. Alonso. Excerpt of Chapter 7: “Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells and Modules.” pp. 265–89.	Project: organized first meetings with mentors outside of normal class time.
11	Commercial Technologies: Silicon II	Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCW Lecture 11: Wafer Silicon-Based Solar Cells, Part II	Quiz 1 due Problem set 4 out Quiz 2 out
12	Commercial Technologies: Thin Films I	Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCW Lecture 12: Thin Films: Materials Choices and Manufacturing, Part I
13	Commercial Technologies: Thin Films II Tour of the MIT solar installation	Read MIT Energy Initiative. “Student Project Identifies Improvements for Campus PVs,” MIT News, November 30, 2011.	Homework 4 due Homework 5 out
14	Theoretical Photoelectric Efficiency Limits
15	Emerging Technologies		Homework 5 due Project team check-in
16	Field trip to Fraunhofer CSE
Unit 3: Cross-Cutting Themes
17	Troubleshooting Photoelectric Conversion Efficiency Losses		Quiz 2 due Project team check-in
18	Cost and Manufacturability Guest lecture “Silicon solar cell manufacturing costs” by K. V. Ravi	Read Powell, D. M. , M. T. Winkler, et al. “Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaics: A Cost Analysis Framework for Determining Technology Pathways to Reach Baseload Electricity Costs.” Energy & Environmental Science 5, no. 3 (2012): 5874–83. ———. “Modeling the Cost and Minimum Sustainable Price of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Manufacturing in the United States.” IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics 3, no. 2 (2013): 662–68. Goodrich, A. C., D. M. Powell, et al. “Assessing the Drivers of Regional Trends in Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing.” Energy & Environmental Science 6, no. 10 (2013): 2811–21.
19	Modules, Systems, and Reliability		Project team check-in
20	Price, Markets, and Subsidies
21	Guest lecture by DOE SunShot Program Manager Lidija Sekaric		Project team check-in Manufacturing simulation due
22	PV Innovation
23	PV in Developing Countries
24	Buffer lecture – topics TBD
25	Student Project Presentations		Final project report due
26	Student Project Presentations (cont.)