UNIK9450 – Solar Cells
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
Solar energy. The function of solar cells. Generation, transport and recombination of charge carriers. Reflection and absorption of light. Theoretical limits on solar cell efficiencies. Solar cell modelling. Fabrication of silicon for solar cells. Fabrication of silicon-based solar cells. Solar cell characterization. Solar cell design and optimization. Other solar cell technologies: high efficiency solar cells, thin film solar cells and electrochemical solar cells. Third generation photovoltaics. Solar panels. Applications of solar cells.
In working with the project assignment, the students will be encouraged to find relevant new processes and materials in the litterature, and model the expected efficiency in using these.
Learning outcome
The course aims at giving the student a thorough understanding of how solar cells function, as well as knowledge on solar cell fabrication and characterization. The course will mainly focus on silicon-based solar cells.
Admission
PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb.
If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.
PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student within a given deadline.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
FYS 1120 - Electromagnetism, FYS 2140 – Quantum physics and FYS 2160 – Thermodynamics and statistical physics. A basic knowledge of semiconductors will be an advantage (e.g. MEF 3020 – Energy materials, FYS 2210 – Semiconductor devices).
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with TEK9310 – Solar Cells
- 10 credits overlap with TEK5310 – Solar Cells
- 10 credits overlap with UNIK4450 – Solar cells (continued)
Teaching
2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of exercises every week.
Mandatory project assignment for Ph.D. students.
Examination
Oral exam. In case of many students, there may be held a written exam.
There is a mandatory project, which must be approved in order to take the exam.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.
Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.