Physics of silicon solar cells (Coursera)

It consists in a general presentation of the physics of the photovoltaics devices with a particular emphasize on the silicon technology that currently represents more than 90% share of the market. Photovoltaic applications of III-V semiconductors are also mentioned.
Indeed from a fundamental point of view, a solar cell can be considered as a semiconductor device (a diode) exposed to the sunlight. An introduction to the semiconductor physics is given, followed by the electron transport phenomena in a diode device. A detailed description of the solar cell operation is then provided, including the conversion efficiency limitations. A description of the solar spectrum and the optical properties of the cells are also presented. Finally the crystalline silicon technology is described from the bulk crystalline growth up to the preparation of heterojunctions combining crystalline and amorphous materials.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Introduction to semiconductor physics
Introduction to semiconductor physics : band structure of crystalline semiconducors, optical absorption and doping.

WEEK 2
Transport phenomena: the p-n junction
Transport phenomena in semiconductors : carrier injection by light and recombination; the equilibrium and non-equilibrium p-n junction; the photovoltaic effect

WEEK 3
Asymmetrical devices
Metal-semiconductor contacts and semiconductor surface; Heterojunctions

WEEK 4
Solar cell operation
Solar Spectrum; solar cell Fundamentals; limitations of conversion efficiency; solar modules

WEEK 5
Crystalline semiconductor solar cells
Description of the crystalline silicon photovoltaic technology from bulk crystal growth. Extension to III-V compounds solar cells.

WEEK 6
Silicon heterojunctions