Fundamentals of Photovoltaics, Fall 2011

Dive into the fundamentals of photovoltaics with this comprehensive MIT course featuring 20 in-depth lectures, two student project presentation sessions, and four tutorial videos. Explore topics ranging from solar resource and light absorption to advanced concepts in photovoltaic technology. Learn about wafer silicon-based solar cells, thin film materials, manufacturing processes, and PV efficiency measurement. Gain insights into modules, systems, reliability, and the economics of solar energy, including cost, pricing, markets, and support mechanisms. Engage with cutting-edge research and development in the field of photovoltaics through lectures on innovation and investment. Enhance your understanding with practical tutorials on texturing, doping, photoconductivity, and solar cell operation.

Tutorial: Texturing.
Tutorial: Doping.
Tutorial: Photoconductivity.
Tutorial: Solar Cell Operation.
1. Introduction (2.627 Fundamentals of Photovoltaics).
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.