Fundamentals of Photovoltaics
Credits: 6 PDH
PDH Course Description:
The use of photovoltaic systems for converting sunlight into electricity has been expanding rapidly. This course includes an overview of progress in the field; basic information about the photovoltaic effect; discussion of several different types of solar cells, including single-crystal silicon, semicrystalline and polycrystalline silicon, thin-film solar cells, gallium arsenide PV cells, and multifunction devices; and information about modules, arrays and systems of solar PV cells.Topics:
- Familiarizing with the photovoltaic effect and how it can be used to convert sunlight into electricity
- Knowing the atomic description of silicon
- Learning how light absorption creates charge carriers
- Understanding how doping is used to create n-type and p-type silicon
- Understanding the relationship between energy band gap level and type of solar radiation absorbed
- Learning about the components of single crystal silicon cells
- Familiarizing with the processes used to produce single crystal silicon cells
- Learning about the components of semicrystalline and polycrystalline silicon cells
- Familiarizing with the processes used to produce semicrystalline and polycrystalline silicon cells
- Learning about the components of thin-film solar cells
- Familiarizing with the processes used to produce thin-film solar cells
- Understanding Gallium Arsenide solar cells and how they are produced
- Learning about the multi-junction devices and how they are produced
- Understanding the method of producing PV modules from single crystal silicon cells
- Understanding the method of producing PV modules for thin-film solar cells
- Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of flat-plate collectors as compared with concentrating solar collectors
- Learning about the components of a solar PV system that are part of the “balance of systems”
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Intended Audience: energy, civil, mechanical, construction, and electrical engineers, and would be of particular interest to engineers concerned with the design, maintenance and construction of PV solar components.
Publication Source: US Dept. of Energy
Harlan Bengtson PhD, PE