2.626 Fundamentals of Photovoltaics, Fall 2008

Author(s)
Buonassisi, Tonio
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Alternative title
Fundamentals of Photovoltaics
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Abstract
In this course students will learn how solar cells convert light into electricity, how solar cells are manufactured, how solar cells are evaluated, what technologies are currently on the market, and how to evaluate the risk and potential of existing and emerging solar cell technologies. We examine the potential & drawbacks of currently manufactured technologies (single- and multi-crystalline silicon, micromorph tandem cells, CdTe, CIGS, CPV, PVT), as well as pre-commercial technologies (organics, biomimetic, organic/inorganic hybrid, and nanostructure-based solar cells). Hands-on laboratory sessions explore how a solar cell works in practice. We scrutinize what limits solar cell performance and cost, and the major hurdles — technological, economic, and political — towards widespread substitution of fossil fuels. Students will apply this knowledge towards developing and critiquing a solar energy technology prospectus.
Date issued
2008-12
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/85860
Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Other identifiers
2.626-Fall2008
local: 2.626
local: IMSCP-MD5-9d1bb27ce73fd7a83258e1bf86cc185b
Keywords
thin films, student work, commercialization, semiconductor engineering, doped polymer, nanostructures, self-organized systems, alternative energy, manufacturing, quantum dots, global energy supply
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