Principles of Photovoltaic Energy Conversion: Basics, State-of-the-Art Solar Cells, and Related Materials Research
Prinzipien der photovoltaischen Energieumwandlung: Grundlagen, Stand der Technik und Materialforschung
6 CPSummerENno longer offered
Prerequisites
Recommended, as written
Fundamental knowledge in physics and engineering (after introductory study period)
Contents
• Semiconductor physics: Basics for photovoltaics • Introduction into Si-wafer based photovoltaics • Current thin-film PV technologies • Solar cell materials research
Learning outcomes
Students will get an introduction into photovoltaics; including the basics of the fundamental principles of operation and fabrication of solar cells. The topic of the module serves as an example for studying the realization of knowledge and the classification of knowledge within the field of physics. In addition the module supports further competences as e. g. cooperation ability, carefullness, persistance, curiosity, working on one's own initiative.
Assessment
• oral presentation, graded • written examination, 90 min, graded The final grade is the weighted artihmetical mean of the grade from the presentation (factor 0.5) and the grade in the written exam (factor 0.5).
Literature (3)
- A.L. Fahrenbruch, R. H. Bube, “Fundamentals of Solar Cells”, Academic Press, New York – London, 1983,
- H.J. Möller “Semiconductors for Solar Cells”, Artech House, Boston – London, 1993,
- S.M. Sze, Chapter 14 in “Physics of Semiconductor Devices”, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1981.
Remarks
block course Compulsory module for area 'Applied Physics' in the study programme Physics M.Sc.
Source: BTU's module description · retrieved 16 Oct 2026Original