Solar Energy Conversion Devices

3 Hours

Study radiation from the Sun and the solar energy flux on Earth, and discuss the principles of semiconductors and semiconductor device physics relevant to diodes under various bias conditions. Examine the physics of pn junction under solar illumination and with various recombination mechanisms. Review the most important materials families of solar cells including single crystal silicon; polysilicon; amorphous silicon; solar cells based on CdTe and copper indium diselenide and related compounds; and III-V compound semiconductor heterojunction solar cells including tandem cells and space-grade solar cells. Discuss new materials technologies including organic and perovskite-based solar cells. Electrical and Computer Engineering 396K (Topic 30) and Electrical Engineering 396V (Topic: Solar Energy Conversn Devices) may not both be counted.