STANFORD UNIVERSITY CERTIFICATE: PHOTOVOLTAICS

Stanford University
Sustainable Energy Conversion and Storage

Stanford University is a private residential college that took 5th place in U.S. News & World Report’s 2011 ranking of the nation’s top schools. About 6,300 undergraduates live on campus each year, and 57% of graduate students choose to live in university-owned apartments. It is recognized as one of the world’s leading universities, and the students have opportunities to participate in a remarkable range of activities. 

This course is devoted to review the progression of photovoltaic cell technology from conception through today, look at the breakthroughs that made each new generation of solar cells possible. Examine the barriers in production, efficiency, and cost that will determine the long term viability of this sustainable energy technology. Explore leading edge research in cell design, material science, and nanotechnology that will make « thinfilm » photovoltaic technology possible.