Fundamentals of Photovoltaics

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](/courses/energy-courses/), and it is an elective subject in MIT's undergraduate [Energy Studies Minor](http://mitei.mit.edu/education/energy-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.

Tutorial: Texturing.
Tutorial: Doping.
Tutorial: Photoconductivity.
Tutorial: Solar Cell Operation.
1. Introduction.
2. The Solar Resource.
3. Light Absorption and Optical Losses.
4. Charge Excitation.
5. Charge Separation, Part I: Diode.
6. Charge Separation, Part II: Diode Under Illumination.
8. Toward a 1D Device Model, Part II: Material Fundamentals.
7. Toward a 1D Device Model, Part I: Device Fundamentals.
9. Charge Extraction.
10. Wafer Silicon-Based Solar Cells, Part I.
11. Wafer Silicon-Based Solar Cells, Part II.
12. Thin Films: Material Choices & Manufacturing, Part I.
13. Thin Films: Material Choices & Manufacturing, Part II.
14. PV Efficiency: Measurement and Theoretical Limits.
15. Advanced Concepts.
16. Solar Cell Characterization.
17. Modules, Systems, and Reliability.
18. Cost, Price, Markets, & Support Mechanisms, Part I.
19. Cost, Price, Markets, & Support Mechanisms, Part II.
20. R&D Investment & Innovation in PV.
Student Project Presentations - Part 1.
Student Project Presentations - Part 2.