Photovoltaic Systems Technolgy
Solcellsteknik

AEBN35, 7.5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2025/26
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED V
Date of Decision: 2025-04-10
Effective: 2025-05-05

General Information

Main field: Sustainable Energy Engineering Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Elective for: E4-em, F4, M4, MHET1, N4-es, W4-es
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

From a national and global point of view there is a need to develop renewable energy technologies for generating electrical energy. In the future, photovoltaic systems (PV) will be one of the most important technologies for producing electricity. The course aims at teaching knowledge on how solar cells and photovoltaic systems technology work in different applications, especially when integrated into the built environment. In developing countries where many live outside the electric grid, stand alone PV systems are also of great interest.

The ability to design and optimize the performance of PV systems through computer simulations is an important part of the course. After completing the course the student should be able to fulfill such task using a computer modelling tool.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to describe the national and international use and demand of energy and the importance of the renewable energy sources.
• understand and be able to describe how different types of solar cells work and their technical characteristics.
• be able to describe how grid connected and stand alone PV-systems can be used for generating and conserve electricity.
• understand and be able to describe the advantages and limitations of PV-systems.
• understand and be able to describe how the PV system interact with the electricity system.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to estimate and describe the use of energy in a building.
• be able to charcterize a PV-module based on technical and aesthetic characteristics.
• be able to use a simulation programme for estimation of the energy delivered from a PV-system.
• be able to construct a stand alone or a grid connected PV system and describe how its components work.
• be able to use a simulation programme for estimation of the solar irradiance towards surfaces in different geometries.
• be able to with different methods calculate the cost for PV-electricity and competing technologies.
• be able to calculate the environmental impact and benefits of photovoltaics in terms of life cycle carbon dioxide emissions.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to take part in and analyze the current discussion of energy use and global environmental problems
• have knowledge of the design of the building and how its energy system affects the energy use.
• be able to perform a critical analysis of the use and value of delivered solar energy
• learn to critically evaluate and analyse the technical performance of a photovoltaic system.

Contents

• Energy knowledge and the problems connected to the use of energy.
• Radiation physics, the annual irradiance distribution and the climatic conditions for using solar energy in Sweden.
• Calculation of solar agnels and the irradiance on different surfaces.
• The PN-junction and Solar cell physics. The construction and function of a PV-module.
• Function and performance of the components in the PV-system; batteries, power point tracker, DC-AC inverter, charge regulator.
• System design of stand alone and gridconnected systems.
• Building integration of PV-system.
• Hand calculation of economic profitability of PV-systems.
• Calculations of climate impact of solar cells in carbon dioxide emissions.
• Use of simulation programmes.
• Laborations and computer simulations.
• Studievisits to PV installations.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment:

Regular written examination, in case of re-examination the examiner decides in which cases the re-examination can take place in the form of oral or written. Approved deep assignment. Approved report/oral presentation of laboratory work. The grade on the exam and the deep assignment determines the final grade.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0125. Name: Examination.
Credits: 5.5. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: Written or oral examination The module includes: Examination
Code: 0225. Name: Laboratory.
Credits: 0.5. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Report or oral presentation The module includes: Laboratory work Further information: Group work
Code: 0325. Name: Deep Assignment.
Credits: 1.5. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: Report and presentation The module includes: Deep assignment Further information: Group work

Admission

Assumed prior knowledge: Basic courses in electricity and electronics. Experience from the use of calculation program like Matlab and Excel.
The number of participants is limited to: 75
Selection: Completed university credits within the programme. Priority is given to students enrolled on programmes that include the course in their curriculum. Priority given for students at MHET - Master's Programme in Sustainable Energy Engineering - as this is a mandotory course.
Kursen överlappar följande kurser: AEBF30

Reading list

• Stuart R. Wenham, Martin A. Green, Muriel E. Watt and Richard Corkish: Applied Photovoltaics. Earthscan, 2007, ISBN: 9781844074013.
• Written course material which is developed within the course.
• Simulation program System Advisor Model and calculation program for solar angles (Excel).

Contact

Course coordinator: Ricardo Bernardo, ricardo.bernardo@ebd.lth.se
Teacher: Agnieszka Czachura, agnieszka.czachura@ebd.lth.se
Teacher: Henrik Davidsson, Henrik.Davidsson@ebd.lth.se
Teacher: Jouri Kanters, Jouri.Kanters@ebd.lth.se
Course administrator: Linnéa Ekman, linnea.ekman@ebd.lth.se
Course homepage: https://www.ebd.lth.se