2.627 Fundamentals of Photovoltaics (Fall 2011, MIT OCW). Instructor: Prof. Tonio Buonassisi. In this course, students learn about the fundamentals of photoelectric conversion: charge excitation, conduction, separation, and collection. Lectures cover commercial and emerging photovoltaic technologies and cross-cutting themes, including conversion efficiencies, loss mechanisms, characterization, manufacturing, systems, reliability, life-cycle analysis, and risk analysis. Some of the course will also be devoted to discussing photovoltaic technology evolution in the context of markets, policies, society, and environment.
(from ocw.mit.edu)
Lecture 01 - Introduction
After a brief overview of course structure and objectives, this lecture introduces solar energy as a good match for world energy demand. A history of photovoltaics, survey of key technologies, and photovoltaic device fundamentals complete the session.