EE 6640: Advanced Photovoltaics & Energy Storage Systems

3 Credit Hours
This course will discuss advanced photovoltaic technologies to harvest solar power including high-efficiency Si solar cells, multi-junction solar cells, organic flexible solar cells, nanostructured quantum dot solar cells, and concentrator photovoltaics. Engineering challenges to overcome the Shockley-Queisser limit and concepts for improving cell efficiency are discussed in detail. The course also puts emphasis on various energy storage technologies, power management and optimization, design, installation and operation of stand-alone, and large-scale grid-connected solar power plants. Important NEC guidelines and industry standards for solar plant design and installation will be discussed. The course concludes with a PV device/system simulation and design project.