Introduction to solar cells

  • 4.8
Approx. 23 hours to complete

Course Summary

This course covers the fundamental physics and engineering of solar cells, including the design of different types of solar cells, their materials, and manufacturing processes.

Key Learning Points

  • Learn the principles of solar cell design and manufacturing
  • Understand the physics behind different types of solar cells
  • Explore the latest advancements in solar cell technology

Job Positions & Salaries of people who have taken this course might have

    • USA: $76,000
    • India: ₹5,65,000
    • Spain: €39,000
    • USA: $76,000
    • India: ₹5,65,000
    • Spain: €39,000

    • USA: $63,000
    • India: ₹5,00,000
    • Spain: €34,000
    • USA: $76,000
    • India: ₹5,65,000
    • Spain: €39,000

    • USA: $63,000
    • India: ₹5,00,000
    • Spain: €34,000

    • USA: $91,000
    • India: ₹8,00,000
    • Spain: €54,000

Related Topics for further study


Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the fundamental principles of solar cell design and manufacturing
  • Analyze the performance of different types of solar cells
  • Apply the latest advancements in solar cell technology to real-world applications

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

  • Basic knowledge of physics and engineering
  • Familiarity with semiconductor materials

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

  • Online
  • Self-paced

Similar Courses

  • Solar Energy: Photovoltaic (PV) Technologies
  • Fundamentals of Photovoltaics

Related Education Paths


Related Books

Description

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.

Outline

  • Introduction
  • Welcome to Introduction to Solar Cells
  • History of solar cells
  • History of solar cells
  • Space applications for solar cells
  • Solar cell history
  • Invention of the modern solar cell
  • Space applications
  • Solar cells for planetary exploration
  • Additional resources
  • History of solar cells
  • Solar constants
  • Deep space
  • History
  • Space
  • Why solar energy
  • Why do we need renewable energy?
  • Why do we need solar energy?
  • Sunlight at Earth
  • Energy sources
  • Available energy
  • Sunlight at Earth
  • Area need
  • Additional resources
  • Direct radiation at Earth
  • Can solar cells cover our needs?
  • Energy sources
  • Sunlight at Earth
  • Power from solar cells
  • Solar cell efficiency
  • Power from a solar cell
  • The IV curve
  • Measuring an IV curve
  • Light sources
  • Power from a solar cell
  • Measuring power using an electronic load
  • Taking the sun inside
  • Additional resources
  • Measure maximum power output
  • Power from a solar cell
  • Power from a solar cell
  • Light
  • Modelling a solar cell
  • Modelling a solar cell
  • Series and parallel connections
  • Modelling a solar cell
  • Parasitic resistances
  • Series and parallel connections
  • Shadow effects
  • Additional resources
  • Solar cell modelling
  • Solar cell connections
  • Equivalent circuit
  • Connected solar cells
  • How do solar cells work
  • How do solar cells work?
  • Semiconductors
  • The pn-junction
  • How do solar cells work
  • Semiconductors
  • Light interaction
  • Conductivity and doping
  • The p-n junction
  • Additional resources
  • Color response
  • Semiconductors
  • Photon energy
  • Doping
  • Semiconductors and doping
  • How do solar cells work
  • Efficiency of solar cells
  • How efficient can solar cells be?
  • Reflection and absorption
  • Theoretical solar cell efficiency
  • Tandem and multi-junction solar cells
  • Reflection and absorption
  • Additional resources
  • Efficiency
  • Theoretical efficiency
  • Efficiency
  • Losses
  • Silicon solar cells
  • Silicon solar cells
  • How do silicon solar cells work
  • How are silicon solar cells made?
  • How are silicon solar cells fabricated
  • Summary
  • Crystalline silicon solar cells
  • How do silicon solar cells work
  • Production of silicon solar cells
  • From sand to high quality silicon
  • Production of standard silicon solar cells
  • Summary
  • Additional resources
  • Working principles of silicon solar cells
  • Production
  • Silicon solar cells
  • Fabrication
  • Thin film solar cells
  • Thin film solar cells
  • Thin film technologies
  • Thin film solar cell production
  • Summary
  • Thin film solar cells
  • Working principle of CIGS solar cells
  • Production of CIGS solar cells
  • Summary
  • Additional resources
  • Thin film
  • Working principle
  • Production
  • Thin film solar cells
  • Energy production
  • Polymer solar cells
  • Polymer solar cells
  • How do polymer solar cells work
  • Production of polymer solar cells
  • Coating techniques
  • Printing techniques
  • Summary
  • What are polymer solar cells
  • How do polymer solar cells work
  • The layer stack
  • Production of polymer solar cells
  • Coating techniques
  • Printing techniques
  • Summary
  • Additional resources
  • Working principles of polymer solar cells
  • Production
  • Printing and coating
  • Polymer solar cells
  • Production
  • Solar cell technologies
  • Three generations of solar cells
  • Emerging solar cell technologies
  • Three generations of solar cells
  • Emerging solar cell technologies
  • Comparison of solar cell technologies
  • Additional resources
  • Farewell
  • Solar cell technologies
  • Solar cell technologies
  • Solar cells
  • Course experience questionnaire

Summary of User Reviews

The Solar Cells course on Coursera is highly rated by students. Many users found the course to be informative and engaging.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The course is highly informative and engaging.

Pros from User Reviews

  • The course provides a comprehensive overview of solar cells
  • The instructors are knowledgeable and engaging
  • The course material is well-structured and easy to follow
  • The course is suitable for both beginners and advanced learners

Cons from User Reviews

  • Some users found the course to be too technical
  • The course could benefit from more hands-on activities
  • The course may not be suitable for those without a background in science or engineering
English
Available now
Approx. 23 hours to complete
Morten Vesterager Madsen, Anders Skovbo Gertsen
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Coursera

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