Calendar | Fundamentals of Photovoltaics (Fall 2013)
Readings Key
[PVCDROM] = Honsberg, C., and S. Bowden. Photovoltaics: Devices, Systems and Applications CD-ROM. [A free online resource.]
[Green]= Green, M. A. Solar Cells: Operating Principles, Technology, and System Applications. Prentice Hall, 1981. ISBN: 9780138222703.
| LEC # | LECTURE TOPICS & ACTIVITIES | PREPARATION: VIDEOS & READINGS | ASSIGNMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Fundamentals of PV Devices and Systems | |||
| 1 | Class Introduction; Solar Technology Framework | Background Assessment Quiz (PDF) (not for grade) | |
| 2 |
The Solar Resource In-Class ActivitiesPVWatts Calculator. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. [PVCDROM] Appendix, "Standard Solar Spectra." |
Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCWRead[PVCDROM] Chapter 2: Properties of Sunlight. [Green] Chapter 1: Solar Cells and Sunlight. |
Problem set 1 out |
| 3 | Light Management |
Watch Tutorial VideoWatch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCWLecture 3: Light Absorption and Optical Losses Read[PVCDROM] Chapter 3: PN Junction. |
|
| 4 | Charge Excitation |
Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCWRead[Green] Chapter 2: Review of Semiconductor Properties. and Chapter 3: Generation, Recombination, and the Basic Equations of Device Physics. |
Problem set 1 due Problem set 2 out |
| 5 | Charge Separation I |
Watch Tutorial VideoTutorial: Solar Cell Operation Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCWLecture 5: Charge Separation, Part I Read[PVCDROM] Chapter 3: PN Junction. |
|
| 6 |
Charge Separation II Class Projects: Describe existing ideas and provide opportunity to pitch new ideas. |
Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCW |
Problem set 2 due Problem set 3 out |
| 7 |
Advanced Semiconductor Physics In-Class Activities |
Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCWLecture 7: Toward a 1D Device Model, Part I: Device Fundamentals ReadSchroder, D. K. "Solar Cell Contact Resistance–A Review." IEEE Transactions Electron Devices 31, no. 5 (1984): 637–47. |
|
| 8 | Materials Properties Affecting Performance |
Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCWLecture 8: Toward a 1D Device Model, Part II: Material Fundamentals |
Form project teams |
| 9 | Charge Collection (Contacts & Metallization) |
Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCW |
Problem set 3 due Quiz 1 out |
| Unit 2: PV Technologies (Commercial and Emerging) | |||
| 10 | Commercial Technologies: Silicon I |
Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCWLecture 10: Wafer Silicon-Based Solar Cells, Part I Read (optional)McEvoy, A., T. Markvart, and Luis Castañer, eds. Solar Cells: Materials, Manufacture and Operation. 2nd ed. Academic Press, 2012. ISBN: 9780123869647.
Luque, A., and S. Hegedus, eds. Chapters in Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering. 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., 2011. ISBN: 9780470721698.
|
Project: organized first meetings with mentors outside of normal class time. |
| 11 | Commercial Technologies: Silicon II |
Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCW |
Quiz 1 due Problem set 4 out Quiz 2 out |
| 12 | Commercial Technologies: Thin Films I |
Watch Fall 2011 Lecture Video in OCWLecture 12: Thin Films: Materials Choices and Manufacturing, Part I |
|
| 13 |
Commercial Technologies: Thin Films II Tour of the MIT solar installation |
ReadMIT Energy Initiative. "Student Project Identifies Improvements for Campus PVs," MIT News, November 30, 2011. |
Homework 4 due Homework 5 out |
| 14 | Theoretical Photoelectric Efficiency Limits | ||
| 15 | Emerging Technologies |
Homework 5 due Project team check-in |
|
| 16 | Field trip to Fraunhofer CSE | ||
| Unit 3: Cross-Cutting Themes | |||
| 17 | Troubleshooting Photoelectric Conversion Efficiency Losses |
Quiz 2 due Project team check-in |
|
| 18 |
Cost and Manufacturability Guest lecture "Silicon solar cell manufacturing costs" by K. V. Ravi |
ReadPowell, D. M. , M. T. Winkler, et al. "Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaics: A Cost Analysis Framework for Determining Technology Pathways to Reach Baseload Electricity Costs." Energy & Environmental Science 5, no. 3 (2012): 5874–83. ———. "Modeling the Cost and Minimum Sustainable Price of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Manufacturing in the United States." IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics 3, no. 2 (2013): 662–68. Goodrich, A. C., D. M. Powell, et al. "Assessing the Drivers of Regional Trends in Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing." Energy & Environmental Science 6, no. 10 (2013): 2811–21. |
|
| 19 | Modules, Systems, and Reliability | Project team check-in | |
| 20 | Price, Markets, and Subsidies | ||
| 21 | Guest lecture by DOE SunShot Program Manager Lidija Sekaric |
Project team check-in Manufacturing simulation due |
|
| 22 | PV Innovation | ||
| 23 | PV in Developing Countries | ||
| 24 | Buffer lecture – topics TBD | ||
| 25 | Student Project Presentations | Final project report due | |
| 26 | Student Project Presentations (cont.) | ||
"