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Silicon Thin Film Solar Cells

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Course Summary

Learn about the technology behind silicon thin-film solar cells and their applications in renewable energy. This course covers the design, fabrication, and characterization of these solar cells.

Key Learning Points

Understand the principles behind silicon thin-film solar cells
Learn about the fabrication process for these solar cells
Explore the applications of silicon thin-film solar cells in renewable energy

Learning Outcomes

Understand the principles of silicon thin-film solar cells
Be able to design, fabricate, and characterize these solar cells
Gain knowledge of the applications of silicon thin-film solar cells in renewable energy

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic knowledge of semiconductor physics
Familiarity with solar energy and photovoltaics

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

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Description

This course consists of a general presentation of solar cells based on silicon thin films.

It is the third MOOC of the photovoltaic series of Ecole polytechnique on Coursera. The general aspects of the photovoltaic field are treated in "Photovoltaic Solar Energy". And the detailed description of the crystalline silicon solar cells can be found in "Physics of Silicon Solar Cells". After a brief presentation of solar cells operation, thin film semiconductors are described here. The general properties of disordered and crystalline semiconductors are found very different, in particular in terms of band structure and doping mechanisms. Silicon thin films, generally less than 1 µm thick, are deposited from silane plasma leading to hydrogen incorporation. The growth mechanisms are discussed, in particular the capability to prepare partially crystallized thin films which appear as a mixture of nanocrystallites embedded in an amorphous tissue. The consequences of the semiconductor properties on solar cells behavior are reviewed. The optical properties of amorphous and nanocrystalline silicon are complementary. Thus the plasma process is particularly well adapted to the preparation of multijunctions, with conversion efficiencies around 13-15 %. Furthermore plasma processes allow to prepare solar cells in large area on glass or flexible substrates. Finally, it is shown that crystalline and amorphous silicon materials can be combine into heterojunctions solar cells with high efficiency conversion (about 25 %). **This course is part of a series of 3** Photovoltaic solar energy (https://www.coursera.org/learn/photovoltaic-solar-energy/) Physics of silicon solar cells (https://www.coursera.org/learn/physics-silicon-solar-cells/) Silicon thin film solar cells

Knowledge

Solar Energy
Nanotechnology
Semiconductor Materials
Thin Films

Outline

Solar Cell Operation
1. Introduction. Solar Spectrum
2. Solar Spectrum (cont.)
Worked Problem - Total Irradiance
3. Solar Cell Fundamentals
Worked Problem - The I-V Characteristic
4. Multi-junctions. Conversion Efficiency Limitations
Worked Problem - Solar Cell under Concentration
5. Solar Cell Optics
Annex 1: Interference in Thin Films
Solar Spectrum
Solar Cell Operation
Test: Module Power and Illumination

Thin Film Semiconductors
1. Disordered Semiconductors
2. Band Structure. Tight Bnding Approximation
3. Doping
4. Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon (a-Si:H)
5. Nanocrystalline Silicon (nc-Si)
Annexe 1: Tight Binding Approximation
Annex 2 : sp3 hybridization
Annex 3 : Growth from Silane Plasma
Annex 4 : Growth Mechanisms of nc-Si
Disordered Semiconductors
Silicon Thin Films
Test: Thin Film Semiconductors

Silicon Thin Film Solar Cells
1. Comparison between Crystalline and Amorphous Silicon
2. a-Si:H and Related Materials Solar Cells
3. Multi-junction Solar Cells
4. Solar Modules and Applications
5. Thin Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells and Heterojunctions
Annex1. Transparent Conducting Oxides
Silicon Thin Film Solar Cells
Multi-junction Solar Cells
Heterojunctions
Test: Thin Film Silicon Solar Cells

Summary of User Reviews

The course on Silicon Thin Film Solar Cells has received positive reviews from students. They appreciated the course material and the hands-on approach to learning. Overall, the course has been well-received by the students.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The hands-on approach to learning was appreciated by many students.

Pros from User Reviews

Comprehensive and informative course material
The course is well-structured and easy to follow
The instructors are knowledgeable and engaging
The quizzes and assignments are helpful in reinforcing the concepts learned
The course provides practical knowledge that can be applied in real-life scenarios

Cons from User Reviews

Some students found the course to be too technical and difficult to follow
The course may not be suitable for beginners with no prior knowledge of the subject
Some students felt that the course could benefit from more interactive elements
The course may not offer much value to professionals already working in the field
The course may not be updated with the latest advancements in the field

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