Solar Cell Devices

Catalog description

Principles of photovoltaic energy conversion and their utilization in engineering devices. Emphasis on current solar cell research and development efforts. ESC 501 Solar Cell Devices (3) Photovoltaic energy conversion using organic and inorganic absorbers and liquid and solid materials is examined in depth. The emphasis is on photovoltaic energy conversion using sun light and covers solar cell device physics, materials, and design as well as all four types of photovoltaic structures; i.e., homojunctions, heterojunctions, surface barrier cells, and dye sensitized cells. Basic topics covered in the course include: solar spectra and industry standards; material properties and physics key to photovoltaic structures; and the role of scale in photovoltaics including the use of nano-structures. Computer modeling topics include an introduction to the AMPS code for transport analysis and an introduction to Maxwell's equations solvers for light trapping analysis. The use of such codes in the design of solar cells for light, carrier collection, and efficiency optimization is explored. Solar cell industry developments and research advancements are discussed throughout the course.