About this Course

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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.
The course is a tour through the fundamental disciplines including solar cell history, why we need solar energy, how solar cells produce power, and how they work. During the course we cover mono- and multi-crystalline solar cells, thin film solar cells, and new emerging technologies. The course includes hands-on exercises using virtual instruments, interviews with field experts, and a comprehensive collection of material on solar cells.

At the end of the course you will have gained a fundamental understanding of the field. This will allow you to identify the most interesting or relevant aspects to be pursued in your future studies or in your professional career.

Learner Career Outcomes

42%

started a new career after completing these courses

49%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 23 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish, Hindi

Skills you will gain

Solar SystemsSolar EnergySolar TechnologySolar Cell Manufacturing

Learner Career Outcomes

42%

started a new career after completing these courses

49%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 23 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish, Hindi

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.68/5 (395 Ratings)

Morten Vesterager Madsen

Researcher

DTU Energy

45,361 Learners

1 Course

Anders Skovbo Gertsen

104,201 Learners

2 Courses

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating98%(15,127 ratings)

Week

1

Week 1

6 minutes to complete

Introduction

In this introduction module I would like to introduce you to the course its content and teaching style. I hope you will enjoy the way we have designed the course.

6 minutes to complete

1 reading

1 reading

Welcome to Introduction to Solar Cells6m

2 hours to complete

History of solar cells

The first topic in an introduction course on solar cells is naturally a historical overview. In this module you will briefly get introduced to the history and early development of solar cells. We will also start to do some calculations of efficiency and energy output of solar cells.

2 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 5 min), 5 readings, 5 quizzes

2 videos

History of solar cells2m

Space applications for solar cells2m

5 readings

Solar cell history6m

Invention of the modern solar cell5m

Space applications6m

Solar cells for planetary exploration4m

Additional resources3m

5 practice exercises

History of solar cells8m

Solar constants8m

Deep space8m

History15m

Space15m

2 hours to complete

Why solar energy

The most important question one can ask must be: "Why is solar energy is an important topic and why should we develop solar energy?". This module does not claim to answer that question fully, but we will summarize the strong case for renewable energy.

2 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 16 min), 5 readings, 4 quizzes

3 videos

Why do we need renewable energy?4m

Why do we need solar energy?6m

Sunlight at Earth5m

5 readings

Energy sources4m

Available energy5m

Sunlight at Earth5m

Area need5m

Additional resources3m

4 practice exercises

Direct radiation at Earth8m

Can solar cells cover our needs?5m

Energy sources15m

Sunlight at Earth15m

Week

2

Week 2

2 hours to complete

Power from solar cells

How much power can a solar cell produce and how can we measure it? This question is the starting point for this module and we will go through the terminology, talk about light sources, and even measure a solar cell ourselves.

2 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 24 min), 4 readings, 4 quizzes

5 videos

Solar cell efficiency1m

Power from a solar cell6m

The IV curve5m

Measuring an IV curve2m

Light sources8m

4 readings

Power from a solar cell10m

Measuring power using an electronic load5m

Taking the sun inside7m

Additional resources3m

4 practice exercises

Measure maximum power output8m

Power from a solar cell5m

Power from a solar cell15m

Light15m

2 hours to complete

Modelling a solar cell

In this module we will introduce an equivalent circuit of a solar cell and use it to explain key concepts including short circuit current, open circuit voltage, parasitic resistances, and more. We will also talk about connected solar cells, and their behavior in shaded conditions.

2 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 8 min), 5 readings, 4 quizzes

2 videos

Modelling a solar cell3m

Series and parallel connections4m

5 readings

Modelling a solar cell8m

Parasitic resistances8m

Series and parallel connections6m

Shadow effects7m

Additional resources3m

4 practice exercises

Solar cell modelling30m

Solar cell connections30m

Equivalent circuit15m

Connected solar cells15m

Week

3

Week 3

3 hours to complete

How do solar cells work

In this module we will attack the topic: How do solar cells work? This module will be more theory heavy than other parts of the course, but don't worry. We will focus on the key concepts that are necessary to understand how solar cells work, and skip the math.

3 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 12 min), 6 readings, 6 quizzes

3 videos

How do solar cells work?1m

Semiconductors4m

The pn-junction5m

6 readings

How do solar cells work4m

Semiconductors8m

Light interaction5m

Conductivity and doping9m

The p-n junction6m

Additional resources3m

6 practice exercises

Color response8m

Semiconductors30m

Photon energy30m

Doping30m

Semiconductors and doping15m

How do solar cells work15m

2 hours to complete

Efficiency of solar cells

With a knowledge of the working principles of solar cells, we are now ready to apply this knowledge to understand why there are limits to the efficiency of solar cells. We will also briefly look into loss mechanisms that limit the practical efficiency.

2 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 15 min), 4 readings, 4 quizzes

2 videos

How efficient can solar cells be?8m

Reflection and absorption6m

4 readings

Theoretical solar cell efficiency8m

Tandem and multi-junction solar cells7m

Reflection and absorption8m

Additional resources3m

4 practice exercises

Efficiency30m

Theoretical efficiency30m

Efficiency15m

Losses15m

Week

4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Silicon solar cells

Silicon solar cells are by far the most prevalent solar cell technology. In this module we will talk about why silicon is so abundant. We will also learn how silicon solar cells are made, what differentiates multi and monocrystalline silicon, and much more.

3 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 24 min), 7 readings, 4 quizzes

5 videos

Silicon solar cells2m

How do silicon solar cells work4m

How are silicon solar cells made?6m

How are silicon solar cells fabricated6m

Summary3m

7 readings

Crystalline silicon solar cells4m

How do silicon solar cells work6m

Production of silicon solar cells3m

From sand to high quality silicon7m

Production of standard silicon solar cells5m

Summary3m

Additional resources3m

4 practice exercises

Working principles of silicon solar cells30m

Production30m

Silicon solar cells15m

Fabrication15m

3 hours to complete

Thin film solar cells

Moving beyond silicon solar cells, the next important development is thin film solar cells. In thin film solar cells, we see a potential solution to the major problem associated with silicon solar cells: namely energy payback time.

3 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 17 min), 5 readings, 5 quizzes

4 videos

Thin film solar cells3m

Thin film technologies7m

Thin film solar cell production4m

Summary1m

5 readings

Thin film solar cells5m

Working principle of CIGS solar cells6m

Production of CIGS solar cells6m

Summary6m

Additional resources3m

5 practice exercises

Thin film30m

Working principle30m

Production30m

Thin film solar cells15m

Energy production15m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
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The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
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Is financial aid available?
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Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
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Introduction to solar cells