Physics 6640/8640: Fundamentals of Solar Cells

 

Course learning objectives

This is a 3-credit lecture course providing an overview of the fundamental of solar cell technologies, designs, and operation. The course is designed for graduate students in Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering disciplines (e.g., Electrical Engineering, Chemical and Environmental Engineering) interested in the field of alternative energy.  The course objectives Fundamentals of Solar Cells are to make sure each student:

- understands the various forms of alternative energy

- understands solar cell designs

- understands solar cell operation

- acquires knowledge of the various solar cells technologies

 

The topics to be covered include:

  • Alternative energies
  • Worldwide status of Photovoltaics
  • Solar irradiance
  • Review of semiconductor properties
  • Generation, recombination
  • Basic equations of device physics
  • p-n junction diodes
  • Ideal solar cells
  • Efficiency limits
  • Efficiency losses and measurements
  • Module fabrication
  • c-Si technology: classical
  • c-Si technology: improved
  • c-Si technology: design
  • a-Si:H
  • CdTe
  • Cu(In,Ga)Se2
  • Others: GaAs, organic, TiO2
  • Photovoltaic systems
  • Design of stand-alone system
  • Residential PV systems

 

Textbook  

Solar Cells: Operating Principles, Technology and System Applications

By Martin A. Green (Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1982)

ISBN: 0-85823-580-3

Additional material may be drawn from the following texts:

1. Handbook of Photovoltaics, 1st Ed.

By S. Hegedus and A. Luque

2. Principles of Electronic Materials and Devices, 3rd Ed.

By O. Kasap

 

3. Introduction to Solid State Physics, 8th Ed.

            By C. Kittel

4. Physics of Semiconductor Devices, 2nd Ed.

            By S.M. Sze

 

General advice and things to remember

1.      Keep current with the coursework.

2.      Read the assigned chapter before the lecture.  It will help you to follow the class.

3.      Read the chapter again after lecture.  It will help you to consolidate your knowledge.

4.      Do the assigned homework on time and right after you have read the chapter the second time.  It will help you learn how to apply your knowledge before you forget it. 

5.      Follow the University's Missed Class/Excused absence policy.  It can be found at http://www.utoledo.edu/index.asp?id=529

6.      Turn cell-phones and pagers off when in class.

7.      Know the University's class withdrawal rules: Students may withdraw from the course until Friday, March 23 - the end of the 11th week. You must do this either on-line at the Web for students, or go to the Registrar's Office and do it in person.

 

 

GRADING and EXAMS

Content of the exams

Only material covered in class or in the homework will be used for the exams.

There will be three types of exam:

1.      Quiz

The Quizzes will be short (5 minutes) and multiple choices (MCQ). They are given to make sure that you have understood the basic concepts taught during the last 3-4 classes. The Quizzes will be closed-book, closed-notes.

2.      Final exam

The Final exam will be a combination of MCQ and problems. The Final exam will be open-book, open-notes.

3.      Project

A project will be assigned to a group of students. It will result in a final report and a presentation.

                        

Grading

Grades will be determined according to:

         Project:                           35%

         Seven in-class quizzes:     35%

         Final exam:                      30%

 

 

 

Prerequisites 

PHYS 4510 or equivalent introductory undergraduate course in Solid State Physics, Electronic Materials, or Materials Science and Engineering.