Solar Energy
The physics and engineering of photovoltaic conversion, technologies and systems

This book uniquely covers both the physics of photovoltaic (PV) cells and the design of PV systems for real-life applications.

- Fundamental principles of semiconductor solar cells.
- PV technology: crystalline silicon solar cells; thin-film cells; PV modules; third-generation concepts.
- PV systems, from simple stand-alone, to complex systems connected to the grid; components; design; deployment; performance.

The book is an invaluable reference for researchers, industrial engineers and designers working in solar energy generation. The book is also ideal for university and third-level physics or engineering courses on solar photovoltaics, with exercises to check students’ understanding and reinforce learning. It is the perfect companion to the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Solar Energy (DelftX, ET.3034TU) presented by co-author Arno Smets. The course is available in English on the nonprofit open source edX.org platform, and in Arabic on edraak.org. Over 100,000 students have already registered for these MOOCs.

I. Introduction

1. Energy

2. Status and prospects of PV technology

3. The working principle of a solar cell

II. PV Fundamentals

4. Electrodynamic basics

5. Solar radiation

6. Basic semiconductor physics

7. Generation and recombination of electron-hole pairs

8. Semiconductor junctions

9. Solar cell parameters and equivalent circuit

10. Losses and efficiency limits

III. PV technology

11. A short history of solar cells

12. Crystalline silicon solar cells

13. Thin-film solar cells

14. A closer look tosome processes

15. PV modules

16. Third generation concepts

IV. PV systems

17. Introduction to PV systems

18. Location issues

19. Components of PV systems

20. PV system design

21. PV System economics and ecology

V. Alternative solar energy conversion technologies

22. Solar thermal energy

23. Solar fuels

Appendix

A. Derivations in electrodynamics

B. Derivation of homojunctions J-V curves

C. Some aspects of surface recombination

D. The morphology of selected TCO samples

E. Some aspects on location issues

F. Derivations for DC-DC converters

G. Fluid-dynamic model

Bibliography

Index

Klaus Jäger

The authors' teaching and research activities at Delft University of Technology has resulted in this book. Their vision is to educate the next generation of solar technology innovators.

Arno Smets

Arno Smets teaches and researches at Delft University of Technology. He presents the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Solar Energy (DelftX, ET.3034 TU). Over 100,000 students have registered for the MOOC, which is available in both english and arabic.