ECE 514A
Photovoltaic Solar Energy Systems
Course Level
Units
Prerequisite(s)
Course Texts
Honsberg, Christiana, and Stuart Bowden. PVCDROM. Solar Power Labs at ASU. Online.
Class text (not required): Applied Photovoltaics 2nd Ed., S.R. Wenham, M.A. Green, M.E. Watt, and R. Corkish, Earthscan, ISBN-13 978-84407-401-3 (2007).
Recommended:
- The Physics of Solar Cells, Jenny Nelson, Imperial College Press, 2006.
- Physics of Solar Cells, 2nd Ed., Peter Wurfel, Wiley-VCH, ISBN: 978-3-527-40857-6 (2009).
Schedule
Course Description
This course is intended to provide an introduction to the theory and operation of different types of photovoltaic devices, the characteristics of solar illumination, and the advantages and characteristics of concentrating and light management optics. The physical limits on photovoltaic cell performance and practical device operation will be analyzed. The main device emphasis will focus on different types of silicon photovoltaic cells including crystalline, amorphous, multi-crystalline, and thin film solar cells. An overview of other types of photovoltaic cells including multi-junction III-V, CdTe, CuIn(Ga)Se2, and organics will also be given. A discussion of radiometric and spectral properties of solar illumination will be presented and the impact of these factors on solar cell design will be explored. Techniques for increasing the performance of solar cells by light trapping, photon recycling, and anti-reflection coatings will be covered. The design and operation of imaging and non-imaging concentrators will also be discussed. Basic experiments related to PV cell measurements and the optical properties of concentrators are also planned for the course.
Assessment
- Homework: 6-7 assignments
- Laboratory: 4 lab experiments
- Class Paper: Research paper review
- Exams: 1 midterm exam, 1 final exam
- Grading policy: 20% midterm exam, 15% homework, 10% research paper review, 10% lab experiments, 10% system design project, 35% final exam