Working Principle and Technology of Solar Cells – Institute of Electronic Materials and Devices

Students acquire a profound foundational comprehension of the operational principles of silicon solar cells and their manufacturing processes. They also gain insight into efficiency limitations and real-world degradation mechanisms in solar cells, as well as a basic understanding of device and process characterization.

Content

(Electronic) structure of crystalline semiconductors
Electron transitions in the crystal: generation and recombination
Energetic distribution of electrons in semiconductors: (quasi-)Fermi distribution and the "ideal solar cell
Contact formation, electronic transport and importance of the p-n junction for solar cells
Typical materials and device structures of photovoltaics
Preparation and characterization of solar cell emitters
Coating of silicon solar cells: Optics and passivation
Technology of solar cell back surface: "Back Surface Field
Solar cell metallization: technology and electrical loss mechanisms
Solar module manufacturing
Advanced topics: Defect getters, volume passivation, degradation.