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Introduction to solar cells
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 23 hours
  • Course by Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
  • Offered by

About

How do solar cells work, why do we need, and how can we measure their efficiency? These are just some of the questions Introduction to solar cells tackles. Whether you are looking for general insight in this green technology or your ambition is to pursue a career in solar, “Introduction to Solar Cells” is an excellent starting point. The course is a tour through the fundamental disciplines including solar cell history, why we need solar energy, how solar cells produce power, and how they work. During the course we cover mono- and multi-crystalline solar cells, thin film solar cells, and new emerging technologies. The course includes hands-on exercises using virtual instruments, interviews with field experts, and a comprehensive collection of material on solar cells. At the end of the course you will have gained a fundamental understanding of the field. This will allow you to identify the most interesting or relevant aspects to be pursued in your future studies or in your professional career.

Modules

Course introduction

    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Readings

  • Welcome to Introduction to Solar Cells

History of solar cells

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • History of solar cells

1 Videos

  • History of solar cells

2 Readings

  • Solar cell history
  • Invention of the modern solar cell

Solar cells in space

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Solar constants
  • Deep space

1 Videos

  • Space applications for solar cells

2 Readings

  • Space applications
  • Solar cells for planetary exploration

Summary

    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Readings

  • Additional resources

Exam

    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • History
  • Space

Discuss this module

    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Discuss this module: History of solar cells

Solar energy potential

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Direct radiation at Earth

2 Videos

  • Why do we need renewable energy?
  • Why do we need solar energy?

2 Readings

  • Energy sources
  • Available energy

Sunlight at Earth

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Can solar cells cover our needs?

1 Videos

  • Sunlight at Earth

2 Readings

  • Sunlight at Earth
  • Area need

Summary

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Introduce yourself

1 Readings

  • Additional resources

Exam

    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Energy sources
  • Sunlight at Earth

Discuss this module

    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Discuss this module: Why solar energy

Solar cell power and characteristic curve

    • 4 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 2 Assignment
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2 Assignment

  • Measure maximum power output
  • Power from a solar cell

4 Videos

  • Solar cell efficiency
  • Power from a solar cell
  • The IV curve
  • Measuring an IV curve

2 Readings

  • Power from a solar cell
  • Measuring power using an electronic load

Light sources

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Light sources

1 Readings

  • Taking the sun inside

Summary

    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Readings

  • Additional resources

Exam

    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Power from a solar cell
  • Light

Discuss this module

    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Discuss this module: Power from solar cells

Equivalent circuit

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Solar cell modelling

1 Videos

  • Modelling a solar cell

2 Readings

  • Modelling a solar cell
  • Parasitic resistances

Connected solar cells

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Solar cell connections

1 Videos

  • Series and parallel connections

2 Readings

  • Series and parallel connections
  • Shadow effects

Summary

    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Readings

  • Additional resources

Exam

    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Equivalent circuit
  • Connected solar cells

Discuss this module

    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Discuss this module: Modelling a solar cell

How do solar cells work

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • How do solar cells work?

1 Readings

  • How do solar cells work

Semiconductors

    • 2 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 4 Assignment
Show info about module content

4 Assignment

  • Color response
  • Semiconductors
  • Photon energy
  • Doping

2 Videos

  • Semiconductors
  • The pn-junction

4 Readings

  • Semiconductors
  • Light interaction
  • Conductivity and doping
  • The p-n junction

Summary

    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Readings

  • Additional resources

Exam

    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Semiconductors and doping
  • How do solar cells work

Discuss this module

    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Discuss this module: How do solar cells work

Theoretical limits

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 2 Assignment
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2 Assignment

  • Efficiency
  • Theoretical efficiency

1 Videos

  • How efficient can solar cells be?

2 Readings

  • Theoretical solar cell efficiency
  • Tandem and multi-junction solar cells

Reflection and absorption

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Reflection and absorption

1 Readings

  • Reflection and absorption

Summary

    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Readings

  • Additional resources

Exam

    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Efficiency
  • Losses

Discuss this module

    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Discuss this module: Efficiency of solar cells

Crystalline silicon solar cells

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Working principles of silicon solar cells

2 Videos

  • Silicon solar cells
  • How do silicon solar cells work

2 Readings

  • Crystalline silicon solar cells
  • How do silicon solar cells work

Production

    • 2 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Production

2 Videos

  • How are silicon solar cells made?
  • How are silicon solar cells fabricated

3 Readings

  • Production of silicon solar cells
  • From sand to high quality silicon
  • Production of standard silicon solar cells

Summary

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Summary

2 Readings

  • Summary
  • Additional resources

Exam

    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Silicon solar cells
  • Fabrication

Discuss this module

    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Discuss this module: Silicon solar cells

Thin film solar cells

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Thin film

1 Videos

  • Thin film solar cells

1 Readings

  • Thin film solar cells

CIGS solar cells

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Working principle
  • Production

2 Videos

  • Thin film technologies
  • Thin film solar cell production

2 Readings

  • Working principle of CIGS solar cells
  • Production of CIGS solar cells

Summary

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Summary

2 Readings

  • Summary
  • Additional resources

Exam

    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Thin film solar cells
  • Energy production

Discuss this module

    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Discuss this module: Thin film solar cells

Polymer solar cells - traits, strenghts, and weaknesses

    • 2 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Working principles of polymer solar cells

2 Videos

  • Polymer solar cells
  • How do polymer solar cells work

3 Readings

  • What are polymer solar cells
  • How do polymer solar cells work
  • The layer stack

Production

    • 3 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Production
  • Printing and coating

3 Videos

  • Production of polymer solar cells
  • Coating techniques
  • Printing techniques

3 Readings

  • Production of polymer solar cells
  • Coating techniques
  • Printing techniques

Summary

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Summary

2 Readings

  • Summary
  • Additional resources

Exam

    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Polymer solar cells
  • Production

Discuss this module

    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Discuss this module: Polymer solar cells

The three generations of solar cell technology

    • 2 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Solar cell technologies

2 Videos

  • Three generations of solar cells
  • Emerging solar cell technologies

3 Readings

  • Three generations of solar cells
  • Emerging solar cell technologies
  • Comparison of solar cell technologies

Summary

    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Readings

  • Additional resources

Exam

    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Solar cell technologies
  • Solar cells

Discuss this module

    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Discuss this module: Solar cell technologies and end of course

End of course

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Course experience questionnaire

1 Readings

  • Farewell

Auto Summary

"Introduction to Solar Cells" is a foundational course in the Science & Engineering domain, expertly designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of solar cell technology. This course is ideal for individuals interested in green technology or those aspiring to build a career in the solar energy sector. Guided by Coursera, the course delves into the history of solar cells, the necessity of solar energy, and the mechanisms by which solar cells generate power. It covers a range of technologies including mono- and multi-crystalline solar cells, thin film solar cells, and innovative emerging technologies. Learners will engage in hands-on exercises using virtual instruments, gain insights from interviews with industry experts, and access an extensive array of materials dedicated to solar cells. Spanning a duration of 1380 minutes, the course offers flexibility with subscription options including Starter and Professional plans. By the end of the course, participants will have acquired a solid foundation in solar cell technology, enabling them to identify key areas for further study or professional development. This course is perfect for anyone with a keen interest in advancing their knowledge and skills in the rapidly growing field of solar energy.

Suraj Manikandan
Instructor

Suraj Manikandan