Learn · MIT OpenCourseWare

Cross-section schematic diagram of photovoltaic cell, showing different layers and the electron-hole pair.

Course2.627 / 2.62626 lectures

Fundamentals of Photovoltaics

Prof. Tonio Buonassisi · Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Start with lecture 1 At MIT OpenCourseWare

About

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, and it is an elective subject in MIT’s undergraduate Energy Studies 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.

Lectures

Lecture Videos & Slides

  1. 2011 Lecture 1: Introduction 1 h 7 min · Video
  2. 2011 Lecture 2: The Solar Resource 1 h 16 min · Video
  3. 2011 Lecture 3: Light Absorption and Optical Losses 1 h 13 min · Video
  4. 2011 Lecture 4: Charge Excitation 1 h 13 min · Video
  5. 2011 Lecture 5: Charge Separation, Part I YouTube
  6. 2011 Lecture 6: Charge Separation, Part II YouTube
  7. 2011 Lecture 7: Toward a 1D Device Model, Part I: Device Fundamentals YouTube
  8. 2011 Lecture 8: Toward a 1D Device Model, Part II: Material Fundamentals 1 h 4 min · Video
  9. 2011 Lecture 9: Charge Extraction YouTube
  10. 2011 Lecture 10: Wafer Silicon-Based Solar Cells, Part I 1 h 14 min · Video
  11. 2011 Lecture 11: Wafer Silicon-Based Solar Cells, Part II 1 h 12 min · Video
  12. 2011 Lecture 12: Thin Films: Materials Choices and Manufacturing, Part I 1 h 10 min · Video
  13. 2011 Lecture 13: Thin Films: Materials Choices and Manufacturing, Part II 36 min · Video
  14. 2011 Lecture 14: PV Efficiency: Measurement and Theoretical Limits 54 min · Video
  15. 2011 Lecture 15: Advanced Concepts YouTube
  16. 2011 Lecture 16: Solar Cell Characterization YouTube
  17. 2011 Lecture 17: Modules, Systems, and Reliability YouTube
  18. 2011 Lecture 18: Cost, Price, Markets, & Support Mechanisms, Part I YouTube
  19. 2011 Lecture 19: Cost, Price, Markets, & Support Mechanisms, Part II YouTube
  20. 2011 Lecture 20: R&D Investment & Innovation in PV YouTube

Tutorial Videos

  1. Tutorial: Texturing 8 min · Video
  2. Tutorial: Doping 8 min · Video
  3. Tutorial: Photoconductivity 4 min · Video
  4. Tutorial: Solar Cell Operation 6 min · Video

Assignments

  1. 2011 Student Project Presentations, Part 1 YouTube
  2. 2011 Student Project Presentations, Part 2 YouTube

Syllabus and materials

At MIT OpenCourseWare, as the course publishes them.

Credits and licence

Institution
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department
Mechanical Engineering
Teacher
Prof. Tonio Buonassisi
Term
Fall 2013
Level
Undergraduate
Language
English
Subjects
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Earth and environment, Business and management
Source
MIT OpenCourseWare
Licence
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, as MIT OpenCourseWare states it. Non-commercial use only. MIT OpenCourseWare's terms
Attribution
Prof. Tonio Buonassisi. Fundamentals of Photovoltaics. Fall 2013. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare, https://ocw.mit.edu/. License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.
Who can watch
MIT OpenCourseWare gives no rating. Invisible Network shows it to Tweens profiles and older, judged from what the source says about it. How courses are placed