Fundamentals & processes for photovoltaic devices

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

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

• Solar Cells / Green
• Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell / Knobloch
• Thin-film Silicon solar cell / Shah
• Photopile solaire, De la physique de la conversion photovoltaïque aux filières, matériaux et procédés / Ricaud

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/MICRO-565

Prerequisite for

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