Solar Cells and PV Systems (CAS)

Veranstalter

University of Freiburg
Department of Sustainable Systems Engineering - INATECH

Veranstaltungsort

Online

Zielgruppe

Working professionals with:

• Existing knowledge of the energy sector
• Professional experience in the photovoltaic industry

Teilnahmevoraussetzungen

• Eagerness to study with some of the most experienced solar energy instructors and leaders of the world.
• Academic level English proficiency.
• Bachelor’s degree (or similar) or professional diploma in relevant fields

Zulassungsunterlagen

• Application form (must be filled out on a computer and signed with applicant's original signature.)
• Short curriculum vitae with a presentation of professional career in English
• Diplomas and degrees (in English or German - translated by a sworn translator) – if available

Inhalte

This Certificate provides a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental physical processes of solar cells, as well as the design and function of photovoltaic systems. The course covers the following topics:

• Conversion Efficiency and Solar Spectrum
• Limitations of Solar Cell Performance: Spectral and Current Losses, Voltage Limitation, Fill Factor Losses
• Fossil Fuels and Solar Irradiance
• Electrical Modelling of PV Cells and PV Systems
• Basics of On-Grid PV Systems: An Introduction to PVsyst® Software Tool
• Solar Concentration and Tracking
• Quality, Optimisation, and Performance Control
• Basics of Off-Grid and Min-Grid PV Systems
• Components of Off-Grid PV Systems

Ablauf

• E-learning via online video lectures accompanied by readings, exercises, and online meetings with tutors and lecturers. Important questions regarding content or organization are asked and answered in the course forum.
• Written exam with online supervision, written critical essay, preparation of project work and submission of written assignment.

Lernziele

After successful completion of CAS students should be able to: •    

• Understand the fundamental physical processes of photovoltaic energy conversion.
• Describe the fundamental operating principles of photovoltaic devices.
• Interpret electrical modeling of PV Cells: Ideal PV Cell, 1-diode model, 2-diode model and consequences of irradiance and temperature fluctuation on a PV cell.
• Classify and explain different PV inverters and PV mounting systems.
• Size and simulate an on-grid PV system using a software tool.
• Understand solar concentration and tracking.

Lehr- / Lernformat

Online

Zeitaufwand

360 hours (Lehrveranstaltungen + Selbststudium)

Creditpoints (ECTS)

12

Sprache

English

Kurstermine

For the participants, the program is flexible in terms of time and location so that they can organize their studies individually. The fixed dates for online sessions are set by group poll (e.g., dfn-Terminplaner), taking into account the time zones of the participants.

Dr. Uli Würfel
Researcher at the Freiburg Universities Materials Research Center FMF and head of the department "Organic and Perovskite Photovoltaics" at Fraunhofer ISE.                                                                                                                                                                    

Prof. Dr. Ricardo Rüther
Professor at the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina in Florianopolis-Brazil, in the field of solar photovoltaics, solar irradiation resource assessment, electrochemical storage and electromobility