Photovoltaic energy conversion
Efficient photon to charge (PTC) transfer is considered to be the cornerstone of technological improvements in the photovoltaic (PV) industry, while it constitutes the most common process in nature.
photovoltaic cell efficiency thermal regulation energy and light harvesting irreversibility losses quantum dynamics nature-inspired mimicking
Contributors MDPI registered users’ name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register :
Introduction
Nowadays, carbon footprint awareness and the necessity of environmental protection have become significant issues in our daily activities. These considerations affect the decisions we make on energy sources and use of alternatives, as well as technological production and consumption patterns, leading to major economic and social consequences. Many efforts are being conducted to model and design efficient carbon emission systems in all industrial sectors, such as metallurgy, construction, shipping, manufacturing, transportation, to name some [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]. In most cases, efficient processes go together with an efficient transition to a low carbon economy, however, we have to admit that there are always cases with contradicting and competitive interactions which are worthy of investigation. In this research work, our concern refers to PV systems in order to get a deeper insight into the role of efficiency in operational mode.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that directly convert sunlight into electricity are small scale and highly modular devices. They offer efficient resilience, flexibility, and adaptation to the grid energy supply. They have often been considered as the ideal distributed electricity production since they are derived from solar energy, which is a ubiquitous, inexhaustible, and renewable form of energy and is widely exploited in our society. In recent years, the value of integrated grid-connected PVs has been recognized around the world and many programs have been carried out in many countries to enhance architectural and technical quality in the built environment, storage potential, and the removal of economic and non-technical barriers in order introduce PVs as an energy-significant resource. Energy market reforms and the concept of decentralized energy systems drove research into different hybrid systems with a combined effect on energy production and consumption, therefore, analyzing both demand and supply-side management. The intensive research orientation toward efficiency [7] [8] [9] produced the proposal that every house could act as a net energy positive provider, taking into account combined utilizations to increase the benefits of outputs [10]. Electricity production is the main driving force for the installation of integrated PV systems, but, in recent years, installations have also been recognized which establish combined electricity and thermal energy, such as coupled photovoltaic–thermal collectors to enhance heating and cooling demand coverage, to act as refrigerator alternatives [11]. or to increase thermal energy storage [12]. while there are many reports of the application of standalone PV systems to solar power pumps in irrigation, livestock watering, and solar-powered water purification [13] [14]. The entry of these renewable systems to the grid can also affect buildings’ energy demand mixture, providing effective management of short-term buffering options in alignment with battery storage [15] [16]. Many concerns regarding more efficient ways to implement energy and environmental systems lead to exploring hybrid combinations in order to optimize the path for a low carbon transition towards these systems. Renewable energy sources penetration into the grid-connected power technologies bring new contradicting issues, including the cost of the mismatch between demand and supply and intermittent and unpredictable availability [17]. although in many studies they are viewed as a net provider due to the cumulative declining production costs [18] [19] [20]. In any case, increased renewable penetration, rational exergy management models, and reduced interaction with the utility grid are of paramount importance and delignate a robust pathway for CO2 mitigation from the built environment [21]. as well as effective management of grid parity [22]. Typically, a PV system depends on cell performance which in turn depends on different mechanisms regarding complex design, fabrication, and operation parameters.
Photovoltaic Cell Energy Conversion
2.1. Fundamental Aspects
Photovoltaic solar to energy conversion is based on the electron behavior of semiconductors which originates from the existence of two electron energy bands: the valence and conduction bands. The energy difference between the bottom of conduction and the top of the valence Band is the energy gap, E g. It is well known that the incoming energy of a photon (h stands for Plank’s constant and v for frequency), hv. when is greater than E g, is absorbed and may create bound pairs of electrons-holes, the excitons. This disruption of a covalent bond transfers electrons from the valence to conduction Band, leaves a hole behind, changes the conductivity, and becomes the carrier of electricity. The doping of certain impurities within the material dominates different sites of donors and acceptors in the lattice, corresponding to positive and negative regions. Therefore, the diffusion of electron and holes develops a contact potential, about 1 V under room temperature and certain doping. The potential across the p-n junction is constant and the electric field is limited to a narrow transition region. The ability of the electrons to drift into that field immediately or with delay due to recombination depends on their distance from that field and other interactions. Thus, the separation of the excitons makes the electrons serve as an external current.
2.2. Photogenerated Current
The necessity of absorbing as many photons as possible obligates the use of materials with a low Band gap, while the connections between cells are of utmost importance for the optimization of the solar energy yield. In PV systems, since the majority of photodiodes were exposed to photons within differentiated energy streams, the efficiency is prevailed by several mechanisms to exceed beyond certain values or approach the Shockley–Queissier (S–Q) limit [23]. The portion of the unabsorbed photons, the thermalization effect, and the time dependent recombination contribute to electricity conversion, with losses leading to the partial utilization of the spectrum and photon energy. These interactions are usually contradicted and affect the tradeoff for the critical properties of the solar cell design decisions.
over, energy production is simultaneously happening with the fundamental principle of time micro-reversibility, namely that the solar photons from the sun are converted into electricity within solar cells but also reemitted as thermal radiation. The emitted radiation produced by the electro–hole excess energy in the cell is luminescent, which means that the electrochemical potential of photon differs by zero, obeying the modified Planck law, and the thermodynamic efficiency of a solar converter is limited by the Carnot efficiency between the working source (sun temperature at about 6000 K) and the heat sink at the cell temperature [24].
2.3. Recombination Limits
The significance of the effective lifetime of the charge carriers to generate current and their dependance on the recombination processes has already been noted. There are three reasons for this association: (a) the doping level, (b) the irradiance of the cell, and (c) the nature and quality of the semiconductor. Accordingly, we recognize the following recombination processes which are interrelated with the abovementioned reasons: the surface density recombination, the Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) recombination through undesirable light traps, the radiative recombination, and the Auger recombination—which has to do with the probability of a conduction Band electron to transfer the excess energy to a valence Band hole or to another conduction Band electron. The latter denotes a three-particle process of the electron hole concentration under illumination and increases with the cube of the carrier concentration, making a great contribution as a limited open voltage ( V oc) and efficiency factor, depending on the materials used. Typical mechanisms of recombination in solar cells are related to luminescence, SRH defects, SRH on impurities, Auger, and surface. In general, the total recombination rate, τ total, is related to the other ones, namely the radiation ( τ radiation), Auger ( τ Auger), and trapping ( τ trap) recombination by the following equation:
For example, in crystalline silicon solar cells the Auger recombination dominates and the distribution is: Auger 82%, radiative 9%, SRH 7% and surface 2% [25] [26].
Influence Factors
3.1. Impacts of Material Properties and Fabrication Processes
The main materials that impact on fabrication processes are linked to the intrinsic defects at the front and back interface of PV window layers. Such defects in these bulk materials can easily form photo-active alloys due to high defect density, thus restricting the current intensity of the device and determining the absorption of photons [88]. Subsequently, higher efficiency can be achieved according to the enhancement of the current intensity, necessitating control of fabrication methods of window layers. Besides, the increase in the carrier concentration results in challenging doping materials with different Band gaps and wavelength absorption. These materials are designed with preferred Band bending and reduced rear barrier heights of window layers, thus, avoiding the hole transportation resistance that limits the performance of Schottky junction [89,90]. It is noteworthy that, while the interaction of the window layer materials with the deposited and diffused doping atoms reduces the rear contact, it may also increase the potential barrier between them, restricting the photo generated charge carriers, e.g., Cadmium Telluride (CdT) cell technology, when doped with Cu/Au (Copper/Gold), interacts with gold (Au) atoms, while increasing the potential. Carbon nanotubes (CNT), nanocomposites and nanocrystals with suitable valence Band edges are also materials that can be used to overcome the contradicting effects [91,92,93]. Thermal evaporation, magnetron sputtering and chemical etching [94,95,96,97,98], electrostatic spray assisted vapor deposition [99], electrospinning, and annealing indium tin oxide (ITO) processes [100,101] are preparation methods that have influential roles in the electrical and optical parameters. Enhanced operational characteristics of the examined devices, such as the short circuit current, Isc, the open circuit voltage, Voc and the fill factor, FF, can relate surface/layer treatment with the photoconversion efficiency, n, via the output power derived, P, following equation:
Besides, it can be noted that the minimization of charge recombination can increase the Fill Factor of the PV cells, thus increasing the efficiency of organic PV. Other ways of enhancing the charge transport can be implemented by the incorporation of cascaded atom number (Z) chalcogens, namely the small molecular donors (SMD), in the solubilizing side chains of the active layers which, in turn, can both promote the intermolecular interactions of atoms and further improve the connectivity. From an elementary viewpoint, oxygen (O), sulfur (S), and Selenium (Se) atoms are capable of affecting the donor–acceptor phase aggregation. In particular, the O atoms promote tighter π–π tighter stacking and the atoms of S and Se support a greater crystalline order in thin films [27]. Research efforts are also linked to manufacturing improvements, targeting the following:
The smaller size heteroatoms, higher electronegativity of the heteroatoms, and larger moments of furan conjugated polymers or fullerene-based heterojunctions [28] [29].
Utilization of certain physical and chemicals treatments to manipulate the active layer absorption [30].
Thermal stability of the inverted cell structure, thus improving the exciton transportation and efficient separation [31].
3.2. Impact of Energy Harvesting on Energy Conversion Value
When considering the impact energy harvesting on energy conversion value it is of utmost importance to note that the excess photon energy that becomes thermal losses accounts for more than half of the losses, leading towards possible energy harvesting exploitation. There are also reports of vivid interest in devices exploiting the unlimited dissipated thermal energy regarding solar to energy processes, resulting in manufacturing of small autonomous electronic devices with no need for power supply and maintenance, as well as increased conversion efficiency. Such a conversion efficiency increase can be attributed to the broadening of recycling and exploitation of thermal energy waste in many ways that commonly follow the principles of the thermoelectric conversion.
In a similar study [32] a power synthetic inductance circuit was created from the heat generated by the bearing, while other researches [33] proceeded to optimize the figure of merit of pyroelectric materials due to the improved properties of crystallinity, density, and the reduced permittivity derived from energy harvesting. The analysis supported advanced waste to energy applications with composite materials, due to the enhanced phonon transferring properties of the conductive networks.
In another recent study [34] a day-and-night combined operation of electricity and latent energy storage was investigated. Specifically, a Bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) based thermoelectric generator (TEG), firstly, harvests the concentrated solar energy directed from Fresnel lens, while aluminum fins and mixed nanocomposite materials PCMs are functionally charging and discharging energy. over, the creation of active layers of (QDs) and lithium chloride (LiCl) on top, being sandwiched between a substate and an aluminum contact, can develop a multi-step photon absorption mechanism that enabled the so-called mid gap states mechanism of the incorporated nanocrystals, allowing for harvesting of human body radiation [35]. Another critical research consideration is the exploitation of the second order phase transition above the Curie temperature from the ferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase to increase the cooling rate [36].
3.3. Impacts of Light Harvesting on Photon to Charge Transfer
The enhancement of light to current conversion, correspondingly, induces a wider range of power output, and may in the future yield over 35%. Naturally occurring dipole–dipole interactions between well oriented molecular excited states, generating quantum interference effects, may drive the future research. It is reported [37] that, in lasing, the quantum coherence breaks the balance in a cavity light trap, suppressing the absorption process, and, consequently, the emission dominates. The idea behind the reverse engineered phenomenon in the photovoltaic conversion is an optical pump device which could suppress the emission rate, hence, promoting the absorption rate, e.g., at ground level. In quantum mechanics, this can be achieved by adding a two-level relative transition amplitude which can coherently result in a destructive interference of the undesirable process, namely the emission [37]. Recent research on thin films, copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), towards the passivation of rear surface and light trapping in a nanocavity array showed the superior behavior of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) substrate and Voc and Jsc improvements about 10% [38].
References
- Lin, B.; Xu, M. Regional differences on CO2 emission efficiency in metallurgical industry of China. Energy Policy 2018, 120, 302–311.
- Adom, P.K.; Kwakwa, P.A.; Amankwaa, A. The long-run effects of economic, demographic, and political indices on actual and potential CO2 emissions. J. Environ. Manag. 2018, 218, 516–526.
- Dulebenets, M.A. A comprehensive multi-objective optimization model for the vessel scheduling problem in liner shipping. Int. J. Prod. Econ. 2018, 196, 293–318.
- Andersson, F.N.; Opper, S.; Khalid, U. Are capitalists green? Firm ownership and provincial CO2 emissions in China. Energy Policy 2018, 123, 349–359.
- Abioye, O.F.; Dulebenets, M.A.; Pasha, J.; Kavoosi, M. A vessel schedule recovery problem at the liner shipping route with Emission Control Areas. Energies 2019, 12, 2380.
- Lo, P.L.; Martini, G.; Porta, F.; Scotti, D. The determinants of CO2 emissions of air transport passenger traffic: An analysis of Lombardy (Italy). Transp. Policy 2018, 91, 108–119.
- Wiginton, L.K. Quantifying rooftop solar photovoltaic potential for regional renewable energy policy. Comput. Environ. Urban. Syst. 2010, 34, 345–357.
- Ko, L. Evaluation of the development potential of rooftop solar photovoltaic in Taiwan. Renew. Energy 2015, 76, 582–595.
- Santos, I.P.; Ruther, R. The potential of building-integrated (BIPV) and building-applied photovoltaics (BAPV) in single-family, urban residences at low latitudes in Brazil. Energy Build. 2012, 50, 290–297.
- Zhao, X.; Zhang, X.; Riffat, S.B.; Su, Y. Theoretical study of the performance of a novel PV/e roof module for heat pump operation. Energy Convers. Manag. 2011, 52, 603–614.
- Ramos, A.; Chatzopoulou, M.A.; Guarracino, I.; Freeman, J.; Markides, C.N. Hybrid photovoltaic-thermal solar systems for combined heating, cooling and power provision in the urban environment. Energy Convers. Manag. 2017, 150, 838–850.
- Aravossis, K.G.; Kapsalis, V.C. Power Engineering: Advances and Challenges Part A. In Thermal Energy Storage Technologies; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA; Taylor and Francis Group: Abingdon, UK, 2018; Chapter 13; pp. 83–420.
- Qazi, S. Fixed Standalone PV Systems for Disaster Relief and Remote Areas. Chapter 5, In: Standalone Photovoltaic (PV) Systems for Disaster Relief and Remote Areas; Elsevier: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2017; Chapter 5; pp. 139–175.
- Murty, A.S.R.; Rajanish, Y.P.D. Enhanced energy harvesting and analysis of a high concentration photovoltaic / thermal system with support of cooling fluid and increased mass flow rates. Int. J. Eng. Technol. 2016, 8, 1077–1085.
- Maranda, W. Analysis of self-consumption of energy from grid-connected photovoltaic system for various load scenarios with short-term buffering. SN Appl. Sci. 2019, 1, 406.
- Parida, A.; Choudhury, S.; Chatterjee, D. Optimized Solar PV Based Distributed Generation System Suitable for Cost-Effective Energy Supply. In Proceedings of the 9th Power India International Conference, Delhi, India, 28 February–1 March 2020; pp. 1–6.
- Ban-Weiss, G.; Wray, C.; Woody, W.; Ly, P.; Akbari, H.; Levinson, R. Electricity production and cooling energy savings from installation of a building-integrated photovoltaic roof on an office building. Energy Build. 2013, 56, 210–220.
- Dale, M.; Benson, S.M. Energy Balance of the Global Photovoltaic (PV) Industry–Is the PV Industry a Net Electricity Producer? Environ. Sci. Technol. 2013, 47, 3482–3489.
- Koo, C.; Hong, T.; Park, H.S.; Yun, G. Framework for the analysis of the potential of the rooftop photovoltaic system to achieve the net-zero energy solar buildings. Prog. Photovolt. Res. Appl. 2014, 22, 462–478.
- Ciulla, G.; Brano, V.L.; Di Dio, V.; Cipriani, G. A comparison of different one-diode models for the representation of I–V characteristic of a PV cell. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 2014, 32, 684–696.
- Kilkis, S. A Rational Exergy Management Model for Curbing Building CO2 Emissions (LB-07-013), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Transactions 2007, 113, 76–86.
- Onu, P.; Mbohwa, C. Advances in Solar Photovoltaic Grid Parity. In Proceedings of the 7th International Renewable and Sustainable Energy Conference (IRSEC), Agadir, Morocco, 27–30 November 2019; pp. 1–6.
- Shockley, W.; Queisser, H. Detailed Balance Limit of Efficiency of p-n Junction Solar Cells. J. Appl. Phys. 1961, 32, 510–519.
- Luque, A. Will we exceed 50% efficiency in photovoltaics. J. Appl. Phys. 2011, 110, 031301.
- Kerr, J.M.; Cuevas, A. General parameterization of Auger recombination in crystalline silicon. J. Appl. Phys. 2002, 91, 2473.
- Augusto, A.; Herasimenk, Y.S.; King, R.R.; Bowden, G.S.; Honsberg, C. Analysis of the recombination mechanisms of a silicon solar cell with low bandgap-voltage offset. J. Appl. Phys. 2017, 121, 205704.
- Wang, M.; Hossain, M.; Choy, K. Effect of Sodium Treatment on the Performance of Electrostatic Spray Assisted Vapour Deposited Copper-poor Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) 2 solar cells. Sci. Rep. 2017, 7, 1–10.
- Wagner, J.; Gruber, M.; Hinderhofer, A.; Wilke, A.; Bröker, B.; Frisch, J.; Amsalem, P.; Vollmer, A.; Opitz, A.; Koch, N.; et al. High fill factor and open circuit voltage in organic photovoltaic cells with diindenoperylene as donor material. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2010, 20, 4295–4303.
- Du, J.; Fortney, A.; Washington, E.K.; Biewer, M.C.; Kowalewski, T.; Stefan, M.C. Benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b0]difuran and furan substituted diketopyrrolopyrrole alternating copolymer for organic photovoltaics with high fill factor. J. Mater. Chem. A 2017, 5, 15591.
- Galagan, Y.; Fledderus, H.; Gorter, H.; Mannetje, H.H.; Shanmugam, S.; Mandamparambil, R.; Bosman, J.; Rubingh, J.M.; Teunissen, J.P.; Salem, A.; et al. Roll-to-Roll Slot–Die Coated Organic Photovoltaic (OPV) Modules with High Geometrical Fill Factors. Energy Technol. 2015, 3, 834–842.
- Wang, Z.; Hong, Z.; Zhuang, T.; Chen, G.; Sasabe, H.; Yokoyama, D.; Kido, J. High fill factor and thermal stability of bilayer organic photovoltaic cells with an inverted structure. Appl. Phys. Lett. 2015, 106, 53305.
- Lubieniecki, M.; Uhl, T. Integration of Thermal Energy Harvesting in Semi-Active Piezoelectric Shunt-Damping Systems. J. Electron. Mater. 2015, 44, 341–347.
- Wang, Q.; Bowen, C.R.; Lei, W.; Zhang, H.; Xie, B.; Qiu, S.; Li, M.Y.; Jiang, S. Improved heat transfer for pyroelectric energy harvesting applications using a thermal conductive network of aluminum nitride in PMN-PMS-PZT ceramics. J. Mater. Chem. A 2018, 6, 5040–5051.
- Jeyashree, Y.; Sukhi, Y.; Vimala, J.A.; Lourdu, J.S.; Indirani, S. Concentrated solar thermal energy harvesting using Bi2Te3based thermoelectric generator. Mater. Sci. Semicond. Process. 2020, 107, 104782.
- Ghomian, T.; Kizilkaya, O.; Choi, J.W. Lead sulfide colloidal quantum dot photovoltaic cell for energy harvesting from human body thermal radiation. Appl. Energy 2018, 230, 761–768.
- Chun, J.; Song, H.; Kang, M.; Kang, H.; Kishore, R.A.; Priya, S. Thermo-Magneto-Electric Generator Arrays for Active Heat Recovery System. Sci. Rep. 2017, 7, 41383.
- Scully, M.O. Quantum photocell: Using quantum coherence to reduce radiative recombination and increase efficiency. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2010, 104, 207701.
- Dorfman, K.E.; Voronine, D.V.; Mukamel, S.; Scully, M.O. Photosynthetic reaction center as a quantum heat engine. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2010, 110, 2746–2751.
© Text is available under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Panasonic takes top spot on conversion efficiency of a crystalline silicon-based PV module from rival SunPower.
One percent may seem like a trivial number, but in the world of sustainable energy, one percent can mean the difference between the best and everyone else.
In fact, all it took was one percent for Japanese electronics conglomerate Panasonic to secure two world records. The first was for the world‘s highest conversion efficiency of 25.6% in its silicon heterojunction cells. The second was awarded for the world‘s highest conversion efficiency of a crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic module, a record previously held by its rival manufacturer, SunPower. as confirmed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).
How Panasonic Broke the Record
According to Panasonic, their record-breaking achievement for the crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic module was made possible by the unique silicon heterojunction structure they have developed. Composed of crystalline silicon substrate and amorphous silicon layers, the company notes that this new hetorojunction structure has continuously improved its photovoltaic module HIT™ since the start of commercial production.
As for the silicon heterojunction cells, Gizmag points out that these modules have the electrodes placed on the reverse of the panel as back contacts, allowing the light hitting the cell’s surface to be more efficiently directed to the monocrystalline silicon substrate where power is generated. Placing the electrodes on the reverse side has also allowed the resistive loss when the current is fed to the grid electrodes to be reduced.
Currently, Panasonic is still in the process of further developing their proprietary heterojunction technology to make the high-efficiency solar cells and modules suitable for mass production.
Commitment to Sustainable Energy
Founded in 1918, Panasonic has always been known for diverse electronics technologies and solutions in the field of consumer electronics.
In 1975, following their commitment to create a better life and a better world for their customers, Panasonic started research and development on amorphous solar cells. In the early to the late 90s, the company started mass-production and sales of their photovoltaic module HIT™ for residential use.
Since then, many photovoltaic systems using HIT™ have been set up in countries such as South Africa, Spain, South Korea, China, and the United States among many others.
Panasonic takes top spot on conversion efficiency of a crystalline silicon-based PV module from rival SunPower.
One percent may seem like a trivial number, but in the world of sustainable energy, one percent can mean the difference between the best and everyone else.
In fact, all it took was one percent for Japanese electronics conglomerate Panasonic to secure two world records. The first was for the world‘s highest conversion efficiency of 25.6% in its silicon heterojunction cells. The second was awarded for the world‘s highest conversion efficiency of a crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic module, a record previously held by its rival manufacturer, SunPower. as confirmed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).
How Panasonic Broke the Record
According to Panasonic, their record-breaking achievement for the crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic module was made possible by the unique silicon heterojunction structure they have developed. Composed of crystalline silicon substrate and amorphous silicon layers, the company notes that this new hetorojunction structure has continuously improved its photovoltaic module HIT™ since the start of commercial production.
As for the silicon heterojunction cells, Gizmag points out that these modules have the electrodes placed on the reverse of the panel as back contacts, allowing the light hitting the cell’s surface to be more efficiently directed to the monocrystalline silicon substrate where power is generated. Placing the electrodes on the reverse side has also allowed the resistive loss when the current is fed to the grid electrodes to be reduced.
Currently, Panasonic is still in the process of further developing their proprietary heterojunction technology to make the high-efficiency solar cells and modules suitable for mass production.
Commitment to Sustainable Energy
Founded in 1918, Panasonic has always been known for diverse electronics technologies and solutions in the field of consumer electronics.
In 1975, following their commitment to create a better life and a better world for their customers, Panasonic started research and development on amorphous solar cells. In the early to the late 90s, the company started mass-production and sales of their photovoltaic module HIT™ for residential use.
Since then, many photovoltaic systems using HIT™ have been set up in countries such as South Africa, Spain, South Korea, China, and the United States among many others.
Solar Energy: Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Conversion
Learn how solar cells generate electricity, and about the semiconductor physics and optics required to design and manufacture solar cells.
Choose your session:
I would like to receive email from DelftX and learn about other offerings related to Solar Energy: Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Conversion.
Solar Energy: Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Conversion
About this course
The key factor in getting more efficient and cheaper solar energy panels is the advance in the development of photovoltaic cells. In this course you will learn how photovoltaic cells convert solar energy into useable electricity. You will also discover how to tackle potential loss mechanisms in solar cells. By understanding the semiconductor physics and optics involved, you will develop in-depth knowledge of how a photovoltaic cell works under different conditions. You will learn how to model all aspects of a working solar cell. For engineers and scientists working in the photovoltaic industry, this course is an absolute must to understand the opportunities for solar cell innovation.
This course is part of the Solar Energy Engineering MicroMasters Program designed to cover all physics and engineering aspects of photovoltaics: photovoltaic energy conversion, technologies and systems.
We recommend that you complete this course prior to taking the other courses in this MicroMasters program.
At a glance
Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering or the successful completion of TU Delft’s Professional Certificate Program Solar Energy.
- Language: English
- Video Transcript: English
- Associated programs:
- MicroMasters ® Program in Solar Energy Engineering
What you’ll learn
Audit learners can develop their skills and knowledge in relation to the above learning objectives by having access to the video lectures, a limited number of practice exercises and discussion forums.
Verified learners are offered a number of study tools to demonstrate they have mastered the learning objectives. They will have access to all exercises: practice, graded and exam questions.
Syllabus
Week 1: Introduction How do solar cells convert solar energy into electrical energy? What are the basic building blocks of a solar cell?
Week 2: Semiconductor Basics What are semiconductors? What is a Band diagram?
Week 3: Generation and Recombination What are the physics of charge carriers?
Week 4: The P-N Junction What is a diode? How does a diode change when we apply a voltage? What about when we illuminate it with solar energy?
Week 5: Advanced Concepts in Semiconductors What happens when we connect a semiconductor to a metal? What other types of junctions of semiconductor materials are important for solar cells?
Week 6: Light management 1: Refraction/Dispersion/Refraction Which optical phenomena are important for solar cells? How can we use them to make sure maximal light is absorbed.
Week 7: Light management 2: Light Scattering Which techniques can we use to scatter light in our solar cell to enhance optical path length?
Week 8: Electrical Losses Pull all the concepts together to understand how to engineer solar cells.
Learner testimonials
I was able to familiarize myself with the latest theoretical knowledge on solar energy. This helped me to develop as an engineer and improve my skills- Previous student
TU Delft ‘s Solar Energy Engineering MicroMasters program is great to get a grasp of the overall science of solar energy. It provides context to the current industry trends, and at the same time gives you the tools you need to know where the industry will be in the next decade- Bertram, The Netherlands
about this course
The course materials of this course are Copyright Delft University of Technology and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC-BY-NC-SA) 4.0 International License.
Who can take this course?
Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.