MICRO-565 / 3 credits

Teacher: Ballif Christophe

Language: English


Summary

The objective of this lecture is to give an in-depth understanding of the physics and manufacturing processes of photovoltaic solar cells and related devices (photodetectors, photoconductors). The principle and techniques addressed in this lecture will be useful in a wide range of related fields.

Content

Learning Prerequisites

Important concepts to start the course

A good understanding of basic semiconductor physics is required.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • be able to perform efficiently simulations of various devices
  • have an in-depth, intuitive understanding of how PV devices work
  • understand process manufacturing chain and interlinks
  • understand price/cost issue, asses critically PV as a form of sustainable energy.

Teaching methods

  • Weekly lectures and exercises session.
  • Guided lessons for simulations of photovoltaic devices

Expected student activities

  • Attendance at lectures
  • Completing and discussing exercises (in class followed by assistants)
  • Read and comment scientific papers on photovoltaic devices

Assessment methods

Written exam

Supervision

Others available via email

Resources

Bibliography

Goetzberger, Bernhard Voss, Joachim Knobloch Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells : A, Wiley 1998

M. Green, Solar Cells, Prentice Hall (1982), Volume 1-2-3

A. Ricaud, Photopile solaire, De la physique de la conversion photovoltaïque aux filières, matériaux et procédés, Cahiers de Chimie, PPUR, 1997

A. Shah, Editor Thin-film Silicon solar cells, 1st version 2010, EPFL Press isbn 1420066749

Ressources en bibliothèque

Moodle Link

Prerequisite for

List of subsequent courses for which the successful completion of this course is a prerequisite

In the programs

  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Fundamentals & processes for photovoltaic devices
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Fundamentals & processes for photovoltaic devices
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Fundamentals & processes for photovoltaic devices
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Fundamentals & processes for photovoltaic devices
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Fundamentals & processes for photovoltaic devices
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Fundamentals & processes for photovoltaic devices
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Fundamentals & processes for photovoltaic devices
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Fundamentals & processes for photovoltaic devices
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks

Reference week

 MoTuWeThFr
8-9     
9-10     
10-11     
11-12     
12-13     
13-14 CM1   
14-15    
15-16 CM1   
16-17     
17-18     
18-19     
19-20     
20-21     
21-22     

Tuesday, 13h - 15h: Lecture CM1

Tuesday, 15h - 16h: Exercise, TP CM1

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