Fundamentals of Photovoltaics (Fall 2013)
About
A cross-section view of a generic solar cell. (Courtesy of PVCDROM. Used with permission.)
Instructor(s)
Prof. Tonio Buonassisi
MIT Course Number
2.627 / 2.626
As Taught In
Fall 2013
Level
Undergraduate / Graduate
Course Features
- Video lectures
- Captions/transcript
- Tutorial - video
- Lecture notes
- Projects and examples
- Assignments: problem sets with solutions
- Assignments: problem sets (no solutions)
Course Description
Fundamentals of photoelectric conversion: charge excitation, conduction, separation, and collection. Lectures cover commercial and emerging photovoltaic technologies and cross-cutting themes, including conversion efficiencies, loss mechanisms, characterization, manufacturing, systems, reliability, life-cycle analysis, risk analysis, and technology evolution in the context of markets, policies, society, and environment.
This course is one of many OCW Energy Courses, and it is an elective subject in MIT's undergraduate Energy Studies Minor. This Institute–wide program complements the deep expertise obtained in any major with a broad understanding of the interlinked realms of science, technology, and social sciences as they relate to energy and associated environmental challenges.