Photovoltaics

The possibility to use solar energy to produce electrical energy, is discussed, including the physical and engineering principles applied.

• Basic Physics - semiconductors, P-N junction in cells, diffusion, production of current
• Basic Engineering - transparency, contacts, types of silicon
• Advances - solar spectrum, multilayer cells, other materials
• Economics - markets, small scale applications, large scale applications, current costs and usage
• Environment impact assessment - life cycle analysis.