ECE 467 Solar Cells and Their Applications

Spring 2015

ECE 467 Solar Cells And Their Applications

3 Credit Hours
Course Description: This course is concerned with electricity generation directly from
solar energy using photovoltaic solar cells. The solar spectrum is discussed, solar cell
types are introduced and efficiency factors are discussed. Techniques for efficiency
improvement are reviewed. Photovoltaic electricity generation system design methods
are introduced. Economic analysis, such as life cycle costing, and environmental impact
of PV systems are discussed.
Pre-requisites: ECE 210 or ECE 209 or permission
Lectures: Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 12:10 to 1:00pm in Barrows Hall 133
Online section: http://meet.maine.edu/ece467
Instructor:
Nuri W. Emanetoglu
145 Barrows Hall
Phone: 581-2233 e-mail: nuri.emanetoglu@maine.edu
Office Hours: M-W-F 9:00 9:50 AM and 1:10 2:00 PM (for 343 & 467)
Textbook: Photovoltaic Systems Engineering, 3rd. Ed., R.A. Messenger, J. Ventre
Supplemental Texts:
Solar Cell Device Physics, 2nd Ed., S. Fonash
Topics: Solar spectrum and energy, semiconductors and pn junction diodes, photonelectron interactions, solar cell efficiency, homojunction solar cells, heterojunction solar
cells, solar concentration for photovoltaics, photovoltaic module design, photovoltaic
electricity generation systems, grid-tied PV systems, stand-alone systems, economics
of photovoltaic systems, environmental impact
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the semester students should be able to:
1. Describe the basic operation of a photovoltaic cell, explain the optical and electrical
mechanisms that limit efficiency and methods for improving these limits
2. Design, analyze and simulate basic homojunction and heterojuntion photovoltaic
cells
3. Design, analyze and implement photovoltaic energy systems
4. Explain the solar energy spectrum, evaluate a sites potential for solar energy by
accessing publicly available data as well as conducting solar insolation
measurements
5. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the economics of photovoltaic energy
systems, and apply the methods of economical evaluation for energy projects,
including Life Cycle Assessment

ECE 467 Solar Cells and Their Applications

Spring 2015

Grading:
Grades are based on the following:
Homework - 25%
Projects - 25%
Midterm exam I - 15%
Midterm exam II 15%
Final exam 20%
Credit will be deducted for late homework (10% per day). Students are expected to
attend class. Excessive absences will reduce grade up to 10%.
Homework: Several homework assignments will be given and collected.
Projects: Three design projects will be assigned, including a solar cell design, and
photovoltaic energy system design. Solar cell design will involve design and
optimization of a homojunction solar cell using an optoelectronic device simulator
(SimWindows). The photovoltaic energy system projects will cover residential scale
solar installations (e.g. a house, farm, etc) for stand-alone and grid-connected systems.
These projects will use both existing data sets available from the National Renewable
Energy Laboratory and data collected by the students during the semester. The projects
will be weighted equally.
Exams: Two mid-terms and a final exam will be given.
Electronic Learning: (a)Course Infrastructure and Access: This course will have a
synchronous face to face section and an asynchronous online section. Lectures will be
recorded using Adobe Connect and posted to Blackboard, along with assignments and
other content. Students can access Blackboard by following this link:
https://www.courses.maine.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp. Students can use their
Maine Street user ID and password to log on
(b) Computer Literacy, Software, & Hardware Requirements: All participants will need
basic computer skills and will need access to a computer capable of playing streaming
videos. It is highly recommended that headphones be used to listen to the audio from
the lectures. Dial-up internet service will likely be inadequate for this course. Homework
assignments and exams need to be submitted in Microsoft Office, OpenOffice or Adobe
PDF formats. Further, course participants should feel comfortable communicating via
email and electronic discussion boards and should also be familiar with downloading
and uploading documents. SimWindows will be used for the solar cell design project,
and is available for download from the courses BlackBoard site.
(c)Technical Support: Students needing technical support should contact CED
Technical Support Services, 122 Chadbourne Hall at: cedtechhelp@umit.maine.edu or
by typing CED Tech Help into FirstClass. You may also call: 1-877-947-HELP (4357).
(d) Design and management of electronic learning environment and technologies:
Students taking this course online will access the lectures and content through
Blackboard. Although the lectures are recorded through Adobe Connect, students will
simply follow a URL posted to Blackboard to view the material. Students will download
and upload homework assignments and exams from Blackboard. As a backup, student

ECE 467 Solar Cells and Their Applications

Spring 2015

should also feel comfortable emailing the instructor uploaded assignments.

(e) Special Considerations Pertaining to Online Learning: Because of the nature of
online courses, clear communication with the instructor is essential. The instructor will
make every effort to reply to emails within 36 hours of receiving them. If you have a
question about the course it is essential to get in touch with the instructor as soon as
possible, by email or telephone. An online discussion board will be created on
Blackboard for all students to discuss lectures, homework, and course concepts.
Course Schedule:
The following is the tentative course schedule, which may be revised due to snow days
or other emergencies
Chapter 1. Background and Introduction to Solar Cells and Photovoltaic Systems
Energy sources; brief review of renewable energy sources; why direct conversion of
solar energy; photovoltaic energy generation; photovoltaic solar cells; PV modules; PV
systems
Chapter 2. The Solar Spectrum
Solar spectrum; black body radiation; the effect of the atmosphere; orbit and rotation of
the Earth; tracking the sun; measuring solar insolation; direct normal and global
radiation
Chapter 3. Semiconductors and Photon-Electron Interactions
Electrons and holes; density of states; drift and diffusion; conductivity; carrier
recombination and trapping; optical phenomena in solids; carrier generation by photon
absorption
Chapter 4. Junctions
The concept of a junction; origin of the photovoltaic effect; semiconductorsemiconductor junctions: homojunctions and heterojunctions; metal-semiconductor
junctions; current-voltage relations
Chapter 5. Monocrystalline Homojunction Solar Cells
Principles of homojunction solar cells; open circuit voltage; short circuit current
maximum power; fill factor; monocrystalline materials and design issues; Si solar cell
design; GaAs solar cell design
Chapter 6. Solar Cell Efficiency
Maximum efficiency limit as determined by energy balance; optoelectronic efficiency
limiters: photon energy vs. bandgap; electronic efficiency limiters: open circuit voltage
vs. bandgap and fill factor; strategies for improving solar cell efficiency; light trapping;
bandgap engineering
Chapter 7. Thin Film and Heterojunction Solar Cells
Thin films; amorphous Si and poly-Si solar cells; CS and CIS cells; heterojunctions for
bandgap engineering; multi-junction solar cells

ECE 467 Solar Cells and Their Applications

Spring 2015

Chapter 8. PV Module Design

Module design basics; interconnection schemes; managing light; solar concentrated PV
modules; managing heat; impact of module design on PV panel efficiency;
manufacturing methods
Chapter 9. Introduction to PV Systems
PV cells, modules and arrays; PV systems loads; PV system availability; energy
storage; associated system electronic components; balance of system components;
mechanical considerations
Chapter 10. Grid-Connected PV Systems
Applicable codes and standards; design considerations; array sizing; inverter selection;
balance of system; economic analysis
Chapter 11. Stand-Alone PV Systems
Energy storage options; load analysis; battery selection; charge controller and inverter
selection; balance of system; economic analysis
Chapter 12. Mechanical Considerations
Properties of materials; establishing mechanical system requirements; design and
installation guidelines; forces acting on PV arrays; array mounting system design
Chapter 13. Economic Considerations and Environmental Impact
Life cycle analysis; impact on air, water and soil pollution; quantifying cost of pollution;
environmental effects of PV system production, installation, operation and
decommissioning

Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is very important. It is dishonest to cheat on

exams, to copy term papers, to submit papers written by another person, to fake
experimental results, or to copy or reword parts of books or articles into your own
papers without appropriately citing the source. Students committing or aiding in any of
these violations may be given failing grades for an assignment or for an entire course,
at the discretion of the instructor. In addition to any academic action taken by an
instructor, these violations are also subject to action under the University of Maine
Student Conduct Code. The maximum possible sanction under the student conduct
code is dismissal from the University.
Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an
accommodation, please contact Nuri W. Emanetoglu or Ann Smith, Coordinator of
Services for Students with Disabilities (Onward Building, 581- 2319), as early as
possible in the term.
Course Schedule Changes: In the event of an extended disruption of normal
classroom activities, the format for this course may be modified to enable its completion

ECE 467 Solar Cells and Their Applications

Spring 2015

within its programmed time frame. In that event, you will be provided an addendum to
the syllabus that will supersede this version.
Sexual Discrimination and Violence Reporting: The University of Maine is committed
to making campus a safe place for students. Because of this commitment, if you tell a
teacher about an experience of sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking,
relationship abuse (dating violence and domestic violence), sexual misconduct or
any form of gender discrimination involving members of the campus, your teacher
is required to report this information to the campus Office of Sexual Assault &
Violence Prevention or the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you want to talk in confidence to someone about an experience of sexual
discrimination, please contact these resources:
For confidential resources on campus: Counseling Center: 207-581-1392 or Cutler
Health Center: at 207-581-4000.
For confidential resources off campus: Rape Response Services: 1-800-310-0000 or
Spruce Run: 1-800-863-9909.
Other resources: The resources listed below can offer support but may have to report
the incident to others who can help:
For support services on campus: Office of Sexual Assault & Violence Prevention:
207-581-1406, Office of Community Standards: 207-581-1409, University of Maine
Police: 207-581-4040 or 911. Or see the OSAVP website for a complete list of
services at http://www.umaine.edu/osavp/