Inhalt

Abstract:

The ‘Photovoltaic Fundamentals’ lecture series provides a comprehensive
introduction to the fundamentals of photovoltaic energy conversion, a key technology
for a clean and sustainable energy supply. The course covers the physical concepts
required for a thorough understanding of photovoltaics, the fundamental limits of
photovoltaic energy conversion and the most important loss mechanisms.
Furthermore, the major photovoltaic technologies are introduced and their strengths,
limitations, and applications are discussed.
The goal of the course is to provide students with a broad understanding of the
technological, economic and scientific aspects of photovoltaics from both an
engineering and natural sciences perspective. The course thereby provides a strong
foundation for further study, research, or professional work in the field of
photovoltaics.

Gliederung:

1. Introduction & History
2. Semiconductor Physics
3. Efficiency limits & blackbody radiation
4. Loss mechanisms exceeding the Shockley–Queisser limit
5. Junctions
6. Silicon photovoltaics
7. CIGS based photovoltaics
8. GaAs based photovoltaics
9. Organic photovoltaics
10. OPV thin-film morphology & processing
11. Perovskite devices

Detaillierter Inhalt:

1. Introduction & History

• Motivation: Energy demand and potential of photovoltaics for a clean future
• Overview of photovoltaic applications and technological landscape
• History of photovoltaics
• Economics of photovoltaics – learning curves and levelized cost of electricity
• Basics of solar cell physics

2. Semiconductor Physics

• Ferm-level, energy bands and bandgap
• Intrinsic semiconductors
• Doping and extrinsic semiconductors

3. Efficiency limits & blackbody radiation

• Temperature dependent radiation
• Origin of photocurrent and dark current
• Current–voltage curve
• Loss mechanisms and the Shockley–Queisser limit

4. Loss mechanisms exceeding the Shockley–Queisser limit

• Optical losses
• Recombination losses
• Resistive losses

5. Junctions

• Metal–semiconductor (Schottky) junctions
• Ohmic contacts
• p–n junctions
• Junctions under forward and reverse bias

6. Silicon photovoltaics

• Technological evolution of silicon photovoltaics
• Silicon solar cell architectures
• From cell to module

7. CIGS based photovoltaics

• Fundamental properties
• Bandgap engineering
• Applications and processing

8. GaAs based photovoltaics

• Electronic structure and properties
• Processing and alloy engineering
• Applications

9. Organic photovoltaics

• Fundamentals of organic semiconductors
• Excitons
• Optical and electronic characterization techniques

10. OPV thin-film morphology & processing

• Formation and impact of thin-film morphology
• Morphological characterization techniques

11. Perovskite devices

• The perovskite material family
• Device concepts and tandem applications

Lern-/Qualifikationsziele:

Students will gain an understanding of global energy demand and the role
photovoltaics can play in supplying clean energy. They will become familiar with the
historical and technological development of photovoltaics, as well as with the
economic factors driving the transition toward renewable energy, including the
introduction to learning curves and the levelized cost of electricity.
The next part of the lecture develops the physical foundations of solar cells, including
semiconductor physics, energy bands and the Fermi-level. Students will become
familiar with the concepts of intrinsic and doped semiconductors, blackbody radiation,
and the fundamental efficiency limits of photovoltaic energy conversion. Students will
further learn to interpret the current–voltage characteristics of solar cells and to
identify important optical, recombination, and resistive loss mechanisms. They will
also understand the role and influence of metal–semiconductor contacts, ohmic
contacts, and p–n junctions in the operation of photovoltaic devices.
In the latter part of the lecture, students will become familiar with the most important
photovoltaic concepts and technologies. Starting with silicon as the prototypical
photovoltaic technology, the course covers the evolution of silicon solar-cell
architectures and the transition from individual cells to modules. It then introduces
thin-film and high-performance technologies such as CIGS and GaAs, including their
characteristic material properties, processing approaches, and applications.
Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the concepts of alloy and
bandgap engineering.
The final chapters focus on emerging photovoltaic technologies. Students will learn
about the fundamental properties of organic semiconductors, the importance of
excitons and thin-film morphology, as well as processing and relevant
characterization techniques in organic photovoltaics. They will also be introduced to
the perovskite material family, perovskite solar-cell concepts, and the use of
perovskites in tandem solar cells.

Lehrveranstaltungstyp:

Kurs

Interaktionsformen mit Betreuer/in:

Chat

Interaktionsformen mit Mitlernenden:

Chat

Kursdemo:

zur Kursdemo

Nutzung

Kurs ist konzipiert für:

FAU - Master: Clean Energy Processes, Nanotechnology, Material Science
LMU, Ohm, UBT – Master: Chemie, Maschinenbau, Physik

Formale Voraussetzungen:

A completed bachelor’s degree is required.

Erforderliche Vorkenntnisse:

Bachelor’s-level knowledge in Physics, Materials Science, Nanotechnology,
Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

Hinweise zur Nutzung:

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Kursumsetzung (verwendete Medien):

The course consists of 74 units grouped into 11 thematic chapters. Each unit features
a narrated multimedia lecture with an average duration of approximately 11 minutes.
The lecture is followed by a short online quiz that allows students to review their
understanding and monitor their learning progress.

Erforderliche Technik:

Device with internet access; headphones or speakers.

Nutzungsentgelte:

für andere Personen als (reguläre) Studenten der vhb Trägerhochschulen nach Maßgabe der Benutzungs- und Entgeltordnung der vhb

Rechte hinsichtlich des Kursmaterials:

-

Verantwortlich

Anbieterhochschule:

Uni Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)

Anbieter:

Prof. Dr. Christoph J. Brabec

Autoren:

Christian Kupfer

Christoph J. Brabec

Betreuer:

Prof. Dr. Christoph J. Brabec

Prüfung

Leistungsnachweis

Art der Prüfung:

schriftlicher Leistungsnachweis (Klausur)

Bemerkung:

FAU, Ohm, Uni Bayreuth: Graded in-person exam in Erlangen; LMU: Oral exam; External participants: Digital test for a certificate of participationNähere Informationen entnehmen Sie später dem Kurs.

Prüfer:

Prof. Dr.  Christoph J. Brabec

Prüfungsanmeldung erforderlich:

ja

Anmeldeverfahren:

FAU Studierende müssen sich für die Prüfung in Campo anmelden.

Prüfungsanmeldefrist:

–

Prüfungsabmeldefrist:

–

Kapazität:

–

Prüfungsdatum:

–

Prüfungszeitraum:

–

Prüfungsdauer:

45 Minuten

Prüfungsort:

Erlangen

Zuständiges Prüfungsamt:

–

Zugelassene Hilfsmittel:

–

Formale Voraussetzungen für die Prüfungsteilnahme:

–

Inhaltliche Voraussetzungen für die Prüfungsteilnahme:

–

Zertifikat:

Ja (certificate of participation)

Anerkennung:

Nehmen Sie, wenn Sie mit einer Anerkennung an Ihrer Hochschule unsicher sind, zu Ihrem zuständigen Prüfungsamt Kontakt auf.