Photovoltaics

This lecture covers the principles of photovoltaics, starting with the discovery of the photovoltaic effect by Edmund Becquerel in 1839. It explains the absorption process in semiconductors, the importance of bandgap, and the separation of electron-hole pairs. The lecture also delves into topics like air mass, solar spectra, irradiation, and spectral changes of illumination. It discusses the diode equation, ideality factor, and the I-V characteristics under illumination. Furthermore, it explores the Shockley-Queisser limit, efficiency, losses, and the development of solar cell technologies over time.