This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

Calendar

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

LEC # Lecture Topics Work Items
Unit 1: Fundamentals of PV Devices, Systems
1 Introduction Background assessment quiz (not for grade).
2 Solar Resource

Reading due: Ch. 2 in PVCDROM, Ch. 1 in [Green]

Homework #1 out
3 Light Absorption and Optical Losses

Reading due: Ch.3 in PVCDROM
4 Charge Excitation

Reading due: Ch. 2 and 3 in [Green]

Homework #1 due

Homework #2 out
5 Charge Separation, Part I

Reading due: Ch.3 of PVCDROM, Ch. 2 and 3 of [Green]
6

Charge Separation, Part II

Reading due: Ch. 4 of [Green]

Homework #2 due

Homework #3 out

Class Project: Distribute example descriptions of class projects and work product. Explain deliverables. Encourage feedback and suggestions for additional projects.
7 Toward a 1D Device Model, Part I: Device Fundamentals Reading due: Schroder, D. K. "Solar Cell Contact Resistance – A Review." IEEE Trans. Electron. Dev. 31, no.5 (1984): 637–647.
8 Toward a 1D Device Model, Part II: Material Fundamentals  
9 Charge Extraction

Homework #3 due

Quiz #1 out
Unit 2: PV Technologies (Commercial and Emerging)
10 Wafer Silicon-Based Solar Cells, Part I

Reading due: Selections from Luque, A. and S. Hegedus, eds. Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2003.

Quiz #1 due

Homework #4 out

Quiz #2 out

Class Project: Team formation. Organized first meetings with mentors outside of normal class time.
11 Wafer Silicon-Based Solar Cells, Part II

 
12 Thin Films: Materials Choices and Manufacturing, Part I

Quiz 2.1 deliverable due
13 Thin Films: Materials Choices and Manufacturing, Part II

Homework #4 due

Homework #5 out
14 PV Efficiency: Measurement and Theoretical Limits  
15 Advanced Concepts

Homework #5 due

Quiz 2.2 deliverable due

Class Project: Team check-in #1
  Field Trip to Fraunhofer CSE  
Unit 3: Cross-Cutting Themes
16 Solar Cell Characterization

Quiz #2 due

Class Project: Team check-in #2
17 Modules, Systems, and Reliability  
18 Cost, Price, Markets, & Support Mechanisms, Part I Class Project: Team check-in #3
  Field Trip to Solar Panel Installation  
19 Cost, Price, Markets, & Support Mechanisms, Part II Class Project: Team check-in #4; choose order of class project presentations.
20 R&D Investment & Innovation in PV

 
21–22 Student Project Presentations