Each module contains 3 ECTS. You choose a total of 10 modules/30 ECTS in the following module categories:
- 12-15 ECTS in technical scientific modules (TSM)
TSM modules teach profile-specific specialist skills and supplement the decentralised specialisation modules. - 9-12 ECTS in fundamental theoretical principles modules (FTP)
FTP modules deal with theoretical fundamentals such as higher mathematics, physics, information theory, chemistry, etc. They will teach more detailed, abstract scientific knowledge and help you to bridge the gap between abstraction and application that is so important for innovation. - 6-9 ECTS in context modules (CM)
CM modules will impart additional skills in areas such as technology management, business administration, communication, project management, patent law, contract law, etc.
In the module description (download pdf) you find the entire language information per module divided into the following categories:
- instruction
- documentation
- examination
The objective of the course is to gain the competence to understand the current scientific topics in the field of photovoltaic and battery research and to have the opportunity to familiarise oneself with a special area of research. After a short compact course on the basics of photovoltaics, the current module technology, production of modules and topics from systems engineering will be covered. Another focus of the course is battery technology.
Prerequisites
Basics in Physics, Electronics
Learning Objectives
The aim of the course is to gain an in-depth understanding of photovoltaic and battery technology. Students gain a broad knowledge of the subject area and are able to apply the knowledge they have acquired to assess specific practical issues. After completing the course, students should be able to understand the content of scientific conferences in the field of photovoltaics and battery technology and provide new impulses for the further development of the technology themselves.
Contents of Module
Chapter 1: Basic photovoltaics 2×3 lectures
Fundamentals of photovoltaic systems: Solar resources, irradiance vs. irradiation, energy yield estimation, components of PV systems, types of PV systems, operating principles of PV inverters, hybrid inverters and backup systems LCOE, ecology.
Semiconductor basics, p/n junction, working principle of solar cells, absorption edge, I/V curve, efficiency limit, recombination losses
Chapter 2: Solar modules 2×3 lectures
Production of silicon solar modules: metallurgical silicon, polysilicon, ingot, wafer, solar cell, module
Thin film modules, production technology, electrical characteristics, applications
Crystalline silicon solar modules 1: Module construction, encapsulants, solar glass, wafer size, half cells, PERC, TOPCon, HJ, IBC, perovskite silicon tandem
Chapter 3: Solar modules in operation 2×3 lectures
Crystalline silicon solar modules 2: Electrical characteristics. Study of IV curve, partly shading, shading tolerant modules
Crystalline silicon solar modules 3: Reliability, lifetime degradation rates, types (LID, LeTID, PID, UV), Accelerated aging
Chapter 4: System technology 2×3 lectures
PV inverters, MPP tracking strategies, power optimisers, inverter behaviour in partial shading conditions
Energy yield and loss calculation of PV systems
Chapter 5: Battery technologies 3×3 lectures
Energy Storage introduction, Battery history, Electrochemistry basics and Li ion battery materials
Battery Performance, System design and lifetime mechanisms
Battery Safety, End of life options, Market overview and Application example
Chapter 6: PV integration 2×3 lectures
PV system design: Matching modules, inverters and power optimisers
Choice of system topologies for specific situations
PV in the power system: Grid integration strategies
Teaching and Learning Methods
- Lecture, discussion and tutorials, exercises, case studies
- Exercises using basic mathematics and several public software tools
Download full module description
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