This course deals with the conversion of Solar Energy into Electricity. The Curriculum includes types of Solar Cells, Design of Solar cells, Material fabrication Technologies and Photovoltaic System Design and Applications.
The photovoltaic conversion is based on the photovoltaic effect, that is, on the conversion of the light energy coming from the sun into electrical energy. To carry out this conversion, devices called solar cells are used, constituted by semiconductor materials in which a constant electric field has been created artificially (by means of a pn junction).
PV conversion will only occur in a device exhibiting two necessary behaviors. First, a solar cell must absorb solar radiation, converting the Sun’s heat energy into chemical energy in the device. When light is absorbed, electrons are excited into higher energy levels, temporarily storing chemical energy. Excited electrons behave as charge carriers (current) in an electrical potential. Second, a solar cell must exhibit asymmetric electrical resistance. Under solar illumination, this generates an electric potential (voltage) across a device, which is defined by the chemical energy stored in the electron population. In this way, a solar cell can supply useful electrical work to a load resistance.
