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Title
Solar Energy: Photovoltaic (PV) Technologies
Category
general
UUID
ba6c50355a1e4bb2b93cf34fc24f1b5b
Source URL
https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/solar-energy-photovoltaic-pv-technologies/
Parent URL
https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/our-courses/energy/renewable-energy-technolog...
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2026-03-23T11:27:54+00:00
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Solar Energy: Photovoltaic (PV) Technologies

Source: https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/solar-energy-photovoltaic-pv-technologies/ Parent: https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/our-courses/energy/renewable-energy-technologies/

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For instructor paced courses this is the length of the course.

For self-paced courses this is the length of the course if you spend the amount of time per week as specified. You're free to go faster or slower as you see fit.

11 Weeks - Effort 10 - 11 Hours per week

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Explore the main PV technologies in the current market, to gain in-depth knowledge on the design and processing methods of solar cells.

The technologies used to produce solar cells and photovoltaic modules are advancing to deliver highly efficient and flexible solar panels. In this course you will explore the main PV technologies in the current market. You will gain in-depth knowledge about crystalline silicon based solar cells (90% market share) as well as other emerging technologies including CdTe, CIGS and Perovskites. This course provides answers to the questions: How are solar cells made from raw materials? Which technologies have the potential to be the major players for different applications in the future?

##### MicroMaster Program

This course is part of the Solar Energy Engineering MicroMasters Program designed to cover all physics and engineering aspects of photovoltaics: photovoltaic energy conversion, technologies and systems. - Details

##### Course Syllabus

Part 1. Crystalline silicon

Week 1. Introduction & Crystalline Silicon I\ 1.2 Introduction to Silicon\ 1.3 Silicon Processing

Week 2. Crystalline Silicon II\ 2.1 c-Si Solar Cell Design\ 2.2 Advanced cell design\ 2.3 From cell to module

Part 2. Solar Cell Characterization

Week 3. Solar cell characterization\ 3.1 J-V Measurement\ 3.2 EQE Measurement\ 3.3 Reflectance - Transmittance Measurement\ 3.4 Lifetime Measurement

EXAM

Part 3. Thin Film Processing

Week 4. Thin Film Processing\ 4.1 Thin Film Design\ 4.2 Thin Film Deposition

Part 4. Thin Film Technologies

Week 5. Thin Film Silicon\ 5.1 TF Silicon Properties\ 5.2 Major Challenges\ 5.3 TF Silicon Processing\ 5.4 State of the Art TF Silicon Devices

EXAM

Week 6. Chalcogenides & III-V Technologies\ 6.1 Chalcogenides - CIGS\ 6.2 Chalcogenides - CdTe\ 6.3 III-V - Material and Devices\ 6.4 III-V - Special Applications

Week 7. Organic Photovoltaics\ 7.1 OPV Basics\ 7.2 OPV Technologies\ 7.3 Perovskites

Part 5. Comparing and Combining Technologies

Week 8. Comparing & Combining Technologies\ 8.1 Comparing PV Technologies\ 8.2 Hybrid PV Devices\ 8.3 Hybrid PV Systems

EXAM

##### FAQ

Q: What is a Microcredential\ A Microcredential (hereafter: "MC") is a digital certificate that allows learners to demonstrate the knowledge and skills acquired after successfully completing a small unit of education. It describes the learning outcomes, educational level and scope of the course or program – and adds a quality mark, as it is bound to a recognized quality framework.

You will receive your MC as a digital certificate (called "Edubadge"), offered by the Dutch institution SURF. The certificates are publicly available (via an URL), can be easily shared, and can be instantly verified by other educational institutions or employers.

MCs are only used for courses or programs that comply with the Dutch national quality framework for microcredentials. MCs were recently launched in The Netherlands, with the aim to be recognized as accreditation-worthy education, specifically for continuing education programs. MCs do not have an expiration date and are managed online by the learners themselves (through the Edubadge platform of Surf).

Even if you do not live in The Netherlands, you will benefit from this MC since it will give an additional quality mark to the certificates issued by edx.org.

Note that the MCs do not replace the certificates issued by edX, and can be obtained in addition. Moreover, there is no MC for the full Micromasters program, only per course (for the full program you will still receive the certificate issued by edX.)

Q: How to obtain the MC?\ A learner qualifies for a MC per course after successfully completing a course and the exam associated with this course (for example, after completing PV1 course and PV1 exam you are eligible for one MC).

To obtain your Microcredential you will need to create an EduID and connect to the Edubadges platform. After that you can access your “Edubadges backpack” in which you can store and manage your Microcredentials. For more information please visit this page: https://wiki.surfnet.nl/display/Edubadges/Aanmaken+backpack#English\ More information about obtaining the MCs will be given during the course.

Q: What do MC mean for my personal data?\ Please note TU Delft uses personal data in issuing Microcredentials. Learners need to create a “backpack” on Edubadges.nl which is managed by SURF to be able to claim and manage their Microcredentials. To learn more about how TU Delft uses your personal data in relation to Microcredentials read the privacy statement that can be found in the course platform.\ - Qualifications

##### Chartered Engineering Competences

All our online courses and programs have been matched to the competences determined by KIVI’s Competence Structure, a common frame of reference for everyone, across all disciplines, levels and roles.

These competences apply to this course:

This is a MicroMaster Course that runs on EdX.\

##### Prerequisites

This course is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). Our MOOCs are delivered on edX.org and are open to all. They include video lectures, readings, assignments, and community discussions. Content is free, with optional certificates and additional exercises available for a fee.

A Microcredential is an additional quality certification for small educational units. It shows what knowledge, competence and experience the participant has gained upon successful completion of the course. A Microcredential is awarded in the form of a digital badge which can be shared and is instantly verifiable.

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