E SC 501 Solid State Energy Conversion - Solar Cell Devices

This course is offered Online as:

Course Objectives:

1) Review concepts of basic materials science as well as those of basic solid state and device physics

2) Understand the material properties and physics critical to organic and inorganic solar cell structures

3) Explore the implications of device structure and of micro- and nano-scale effects in organic and inorganic solar cell structures

4) Understand the equally important roles of carrier collection and of light trapping in solar cell design

5) Develop familiarity with optical and transport computer tools that are available for organic and inorganic solar cell analysis and design

6) Understand the similarities and differences among the four basic types of solar cell structures

7) Understand the physics, fabrication, and performance of homojunction solar cells

8) Understand the physics, fabrication, and performance of heterojunction solar cells

9) Understand the physics, fabrication, and performance of surface barrier solar cells, including photosynthetic structures

10) Understand the physics, fabrication, and performance of dye sensitized (Gretzel) solar cells

Next Course Offering Schedule via C&DE:

Course Textbook:

Solar Cell Device Physics,

S.J. Fonash, Elsevier Publishers, 2010 ISBN 978-0-12-374774-7

Available at Amazon

Computer and Technology Requirements:

The enrollment process is:

1. Contact the Office of Continuing and Distance Education for admission into the course at 814-865-7643 or email at dlz1@psu.edu

2. Complete and submit the appropriate Registration Form via mail, fax, or in person. See the Registration Page.

3. If you want to receive Graduate Credit for completing this course, you must apply to the Graduate School as a Non-Degree Student. See the Getting Started Page for more details.