This course includes an overview of progress in the field; basic information about the photovoltaic effect...
The use of photovoltaic systems for converting sunlight into electricity has been expanding rapidly. This course includes an overview of progress in the field; basic information about the photovoltaic effect; discussion of several different types of solar cells, including single-crystal silicon, semicrystalline and polycrystalline silicon, thin-film solar cells, gallium arsenide PV cells, and multifunction devices; and information about modules, arrays and systems of solar PV cells.
Topics: Familiarizing with the photovoltaic effect and how it can be used to convert sunlight into electricity Knowing the atomic description of silicon Learning how light absorption creates charge carriers Understanding how doping is used to create n-type and p-type silicon Understanding the relationship between energy band gap level and type of solar radiation absorbed Learning about the components of single crystal silicon cells Familiarizing with the processes used to produce single crystal silicon cells Learning about the components of semicrystalline and polycrystalline silicon cells Familiarizing with the processes used to produce semicrystalline and polycrystalline silicon cells Learning about the components of thin-film solar cells Familiarizing with the processes used to produce thin-film solar cells Understanding Gallium Arsenide solar cells and how they are produced Learning about the multi-junction devices and how they are produced Understanding the method of producing PV modules from single crystal silicon cells Understanding the method of producing PV modules for thin-film solar cells Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of flat-plate collectors as compared with concentrating solar collectors Learning about the components of a solar PV system that are part of the “balance of systems”.
Intended Audience: energy, civil, mechanical, construction, and electrical engineers, and would be of particular interest to engineers concerned with the design, maintenance and construction of PV solar components.
Publication Source: US Dept. of Energy
Dr. Harlan Bengtson is an online PDH course provider of continuing education courses for professional engineers. Dr. Bengtson is a graduate of Iowa State University with B.S. and M.S. degrees and of the University of Colorado with a PhD. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Missouri. Dr. Bengtson has spent 30 years in engineering education in teaching and administrative positions, including six years as Dean of Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Dr. Harlan H. Bengtson, PE 33 Grainey Drive Glen Carbon, IL 62034 Phone: (618) 406-6892 E-mail: hnkbengtson@yahoo.com PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Dr. Bengtson is a graduate of Iowa State University with B.S. and M.S. degrees and of the University of Colorado with a PhD. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Missouri. He has spent 30 years in engineering education in teaching and administrative positions, including six years as Dean of Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. His areas of expertise are environmental engineering, hydrology and hydraulics, engineering science and renewable energy systems. He has done regular consulting work while holding the academic positions. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Bengtson worked for Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing as a Product Development Engineer and for E. I. duPont deNemours as a Process Development Engineer. Dr. Bengtson has authored numerous publications, presentations and technical reports. He is currently active as a freelance technical writer, author of continuing education courses for Professional Engineers, and is the founder of www.engineeringexceltemplates.com and www.EngineeringExcelSpreadsheets.com, sites with the objective of providing inexpensive, easy to use Excel spreadsheets for a variety of engineering calculations.
