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.
Introduction to solar cells
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)About this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
50%
started a new career after completing these courses
55%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
11%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
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Beginner Level
Approx. 23 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, English, Spanish, Hindi
Skills you will gain
Solar SystemsSolar EnergySolar TechnologySolar Cell Manufacturing
Learner Career Outcomes
50%
started a new career after completing these courses
55%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
11%
got a pay increase or promotion
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: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, English, Spanish, Hindi
Offered by
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
DTU focuses on research in technical and natural sciences that contributes to the development of society. As an industrially orientated university, our goal is to supply high-level international research based on combining theory with constructing models and empirical methods.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
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
1 hour 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.
1 hour to complete
2 videos (Total 5 min), 5 readings, 5 quizzes
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
2 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.
2 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 24 min), 7 readings, 4 quizzes
5 videos
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
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
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO SOLAR CELLS
by APDec 11, 2017
Very concise and to the point. Stable and calm teaching. Was my first foray into renewable energy and absolutely loved it. The course instructor was brilliant and had a stable command over the topic.
by EBFeb 17, 2019
Solid introduction into the world of solar cells! Nothing was taught to great depth, but as a general overview of the history, basic calculations, and production methods, the course does a great job.
by SPMay 16, 2018
Great course to know the history and also the technologies advancement for solar cells through the years. Learn the different types of solar cells available, with their advantages and disadvantages.
by PMDec 26, 2019
This is the first coursera course I have taken and the first I have completed. It is an interesting topic and the format was great for getting an understanding of solar cell technology. good stuff.
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