Characterization Techniques in Solar Photovoltaics | EveryEng

Skip to main content

Self-paced Beginner

Characterization Techniques in Solar Photovoltaics

4(1580)

1 enrolled

576 views

FREE

167 min

Anytime

English

576 views

Team EveryEngMechanical Engineering

Energy & Utilities

Electrical Engineering

Lifetime access
Certificate of completion
Foundational Learning
Access to Study Materials

Volume pricing for groups of 5+

Why enroll

To have a understanding of the key techniques used to characterize solar cells and photovoltaic materials.To understand the importance of each technique in diagnosing performance limitations and improving solar cell efficiency.To gain practical skills in operating characterization equipment and analyzing the resulting data.

Your instructor

Team EveryEng

Engineer

Mechanical Engineering

22+ yrs experience·India

Is this course for you?

You should take this if

You work in Energy & Utilities
You're a Electrical Engineering professional
You prefer self-paced learning you can revisit

You should skip if

You need a different specialisation outside Electrical Engineering
You need live interaction with an instructor

Course details

This introductory course on Characterization Techniques in Solar Photovoltaics provides a comprehensive understanding of the tools and methods used to evaluate PV materials and devices. It covers the fundamental principles behind electrical, optical, and structural characterization techniques. Participants will learn how to analyze solar cell performance using current-voltage (I-V) measurements and quantum efficiency analysis. The course also introduces advanced techniques such as spectroscopy, microscopy, and thermal analysis. Emphasis is placed on understanding material properties, defects, and degradation mechanisms affecting solar cell efficiency. Learners will gain hands-on insights into interpreting experimental data and improving PV device performance. The course bridges theory with practical applications relevant to research and industry. It is suitable for students, researchers, and professionals in renewable energy and materials science. By the end of the course, participants will be able to select appropriate characterization techniques for different PV technologies. This course serves as a strong foundation for further study and innovation in solar energy systems.

Source : NPTEL IIT Roorkee(Youtube Channel)

Prof. Soumitra Satapathi, Dept. of Physics, IIT Roorkee

Course suitable for

Key topics covered

Introduction to Characterization Techniques
Vacuum Technology in Solar Photovoltaics
Introduction of Pressure Gauges
Electron Microscopy in Solar Photovoltaics
Impedance Spectroscopy

Course content

The course is readily available, allowing learners to start and complete it at their own pace.

5 lectures2 hr 47 min

Opportunities that await you!

Career opportunities

✎ Where this fits — what comes before, what comes next

FREE

Access anytime

Questions and Answers

Q: You're selecting a lab method after typing "how to measure solar cell IV curve under standard test conditions". The cell is small-area crystalline silicon, and the customer wants series resistance extracted, not just efficiency. Which characterization setup fits the duty without overbuilding it?

A: This setup directly produces a calibrated IV curve with low contact error, which is what series resistance extraction needs. The outdoor rack gives realistic irradiance but uncontrolled spectrum and temperature smear the slope near Voc. Electroluminescence flags shunts and cracks but doesn't give IV slope. UV–Vis isolates optics and never biases the junction.

Q: While googling "potential induced degradation PID characterization method" you’re asked why a module lost power after damp-heat testing at high system voltage. The glass is soda-lime and the encapsulant is standard EVA. What degradation mechanism dominates?

A: PID testing recreates field-driven Na⁺ drift from soda-lime glass into the cell, lowering shunt resistance. EVA photo-bleaching slightly changes transmission but not abrupt power loss. Silver migration needs sustained DC current inside the cell, not external bias. Thermal fatigue shows up after many temperature cycles, not damp-heat bias stress.

Q: You searched "how to read solar simulator spectral mismatch correction datasheet" while reviewing a subcontractor’s report. The datasheet lists spectral mismatch factor M = 1.08 for your reference cell and DUT pairing. How should this factor be applied to the measured short-circuit current?

A: Spectral mismatch correction rescales current downward when the simulator over-represents wavelengths favorable to the DUT. Multiplying would inflate current further. Efficiency-only correction breaks the IV curve consistency. Voc weakly depends on spectrum but Isc is the primary term affected.

Q: After searching "best method to detect microcracks in solar cells" you're given wafers before and after lamination. The goal is fast screening on the production floor, not lab-grade quantification. Which technique matches that constraint?

A: EL quickly reveals crack-induced dark regions and fits inline screening. Lock-in thermography is slower and more sensitive to subsurface defects than needed. Suns-Voc looks at recombination behavior, not physical cracks. SIMS destroys the sample and targets chemistry, not mechanical damage.