Tutorials

The IEEE PVSC 39 tutorials will be held on Sunday June 16 at the Tampa Convention Center. Separate registration is required for each event. You may only select one morning and one afternoon event. Simply log into your online registration account and edit your registration to add any of the tutorials listed below.

Please note the following times for the Tutorials and Workshop:

AM Tutorials: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
PM Tutorials: 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM


Morning Tutorials

  • AM1. Photovoltaics 101/201
  • AM2. Technology Status and Critical Issues for Manufacturing High Volume Thin Film Photovoltaics: CdTe, Cu(InxGa1-x)Se2 and a-Si/nc-Si
  • AM3. Power Electronics Balance-of-System Requirements for Non-Planar Photovoltaic Systems
  • AM4. High Efficiency Multi-junction Cell Technology
  • AM5. Part 1. Distributed Generation Integration - Understanding the Current Challenges and Opportunities


Afternoon Tutorials/Workshops

  • PM1. An End-to-End (Device-Module-System) Perspective PV Reliability
  • PM2. Silicon Solar Cell Technology
  • PM3. Developing the Market Value for Residential and Commercial PV Systems - A Primer on Methods, Challenges and Current Research Efforts
  • PM4. Novel Materials and Device Concepts for Photovoltaic Energy Conversion
  • PM5. Part 2. Distributed Generation Integration - Understanding the Current Challenges and Opportunities
  • WS1. IEA PVPS Task 13 Workshop:Lessons Learned from the Analytical Monitoring and Modeling of PV Systems

Select a tutorial/workshop below for additional information:



AM1. Photovoltaics 101/201

  • Instructor: Dr. Christiana Honsberg, Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University

  • Synopsis - An introductory tutorial in photovoltaic principles and devices. Basic semiconductor physics will be covered, with an emphasis on semiconductor junctions. The basic current-voltage relationship for a solar cell will be derived. Performance optimization and various loss mechanisms for the general solar cell will be discussed. The course is designed for those with a background in physics, chemistry, and/or engineering, but not yet having a strong background in semiconductor devices.



  • AM2. Technology Status and Critical Issues for Manufacturing High Volume Thin Film Photovoltaics: CdTe, Cu(InxGa1-x)Se2 and a-Si/nc-Si

  • Instructors: Dr. Tim Anderson, Dept. Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, and Dr. Steven Hegedus, Institute of Energy Conversion, University of Delaware

  • Synopsis - Thin film semiconductors have been investigated as absorber layers for large scale photovoltaic since the 1960's based on the promise of low manufacturing cost for large-area high-throughput PV modules. Three thin film absorber materials emerged in the 1980's as being technically and commercially viable for solar cells: CdTe, CuInSe2-based, and Si-based. The first two are polycrystalline while the Si films are either amorphous or nanocrystalline. Each is configured as a multilayer heterojunction device fabricated on glass, foil, or plastic substrates. Sustained worldwide research and development have significantly increased our understanding of the materials chemistry and physics leading to advanced device structures and high-throughput processing at high yield. Each technology has the benefits common to thin films but each has specific challenges. In this tutorial, we will provide an overview of the basic processing sequence, device structures, manufacturing options, and key challenges for each thin film technology. Based on our 3 decades of direct involvement in thin film PV, we will review the evolution of each thin film technology into today's commercial success and identify critical issues limiting wider commercialization. The course is intended for graduate students, researchers, technologists and managers interested in an overview of the technologies as well as understanding the fundamental materials chemistry, device operation and characterization and process engineering.



  • AM3. Power Electronics Balance-of-System Requirements for Non-Planar Photovoltaic Systems

  • Instructor: Dr. Robert Balog, University of Texas A&M

  • Synopsis - to present design considerations for photovoltaic systems installed in or on non-planar surfaces and their associated power conditioning architectures. The tutorial begins with a review of traditional planar PV systems, cell electrical models, and thermal models to predict the operating temperature of the module. The tutorial then explores the power electronics needed to interface the PV to the ac utility system. The electrical models previously developed are used to illustrate the phenomenon of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and to explore the operation of series-connected strings of PV cells and modules under partial shading conditions. The second part of the tutorial introduces emerging applications of non-planar PV.

    Detailed analysis is presented for estimating the available electrical power and electrical energy harvest potential for PV systems installed on arbitrarily non-planar curved surface. By way of example, it will be shown that a) conventional "string" PV architectures in which PV modules are connected in series/parallel to a central DC-AC inverter and b) module integrated micro-inverters are not optimal for PV systems installed on curved or irregular surfaces. Several new approaches are then reviewed for extracting maximum power along with possible interconnection of module-integrated converters with PV cells. The concept of a "smart PV pixel" is presented.



  • AM4. High Efficiency Multi-junction Cell Technology

  • Instructors: Dr. Ned Edkins-Daukes, Imperial College London and Dr. Robert Walters, Naval Research Laboratory

  • Synopsis - III-V multi-junction solar cells offer the highest efficiency of any photovoltaic technology, attaining 44% under concentrated sunlight and over 30% commercially for space applications. The operating principles of these solar cells will be reviewed and the present state of the art structures presented together with some possible routes for future development of the technology. Since these devices are used routinely to power spacecraft, their performance in the space environment will be discussed, together with methodologies for determining their degradation and end of life performance.



  • AM5. Part 1. Distributed Generation Integration - Understanding the Current Challenges and Opportunities

  • Instructors: Michael Coddington, NREL; Blake Lundstrom, NREL; Prof. Ravel Ammerman, Colorado School of Mines/NREL; Robert Broderick, Sandia National Laboratories

  • Synopsis - Renewable energy resources are widely distributed geographically and are intermittent in nature, so they cannot be directly controlled and dispatched like the more traditional sources of generation. Large electrical power networks have been historically designed using centralized power generating stations supplying customer loads over interconnected transmission and distribution networks. Increasing the penetration level of distributed renewable energy sources requires adjustments to the existing operating procedure and design philosophy of large-scale power systems.

    The workshop begins with a high-level overview of energy resources and distributed generation technologies, followed by an in-depth technical discussion of distributed generation interconnection issues. The intent of the workshop is to encourage audience interaction by soliciting input from all participants, using distributed generation interconnection case studies to facilitate discussions. We will cover: Energy System Basics - The Electric Power Grid, Distributed Energy Systems - PV Systems, Applicable Standards and Codes, Interconnection Processes



  • PM1. An End-to-End (Device-Module-System) Perspective PV Reliability

  • Instructors: Muhammad (Ashraf) Alam (Purdue University) and Mike Fife (Advanced Energy, Inc.)

  • Synopsis - This tutorial will provide attendees with a basic working knowledge of photovoltaic (PV) system reliability. Topics will cover four main sections: physics of PV cell reliability and degradation, cell-to-module efficiency loss, balance-of-system (including inverter) reliability, and system reliability estimation. Topics covered in the PC cell reliability section include the distinction between intrinsic and. extrinsic reliability, theory and practice of active layer degradation and the statistics and universality of shunt formation. The cell-to-module efficiency loss will be discussed in the context of series connectivity, scribing, and shadow degradation. The problem of polymer charging and degradation will also be discussed. A similar overview of balance-of-system reliability will be given with a focus on the inverter, which is known to be responsible for the bulk of PV system downtime. We will then show how to bring individual component reliability estimates into a single plant-wide system reliability model. Some of the metrics discussed will be mean time between failures (MTBF), annualized failure rate, and availability. We will conclude with a discussion on how reliability metrics tie back to plant economics via number of truck rolls, service cost, and lost energy production.



  • PM2. Silicon Solar Cell Technology

  • Instructor: Dr. Ron Sinton, Sinton Instruments

  • Synopsis - This tutorial will look at various aspects of crystalline silicon technologies, from the silicon bricks and ingots through sawing, solar cell production, cell test, and module test. The interactions between the various stages from feedstock to the module testing will be discussed. An emphasis will be placed on device physics as well as test and measurement strategies that are used to optimize the cell and module design and provide real-time feedback for process control at each stage of production.



  • PM3. Developing the Market Value for Residential and Commercial PV Systems - A Primer on Methods, Challenges and Current Research Efforts

  • Instructors: Geoff Klise, Sandia National Laboratories, Jamie Johnson, Energy Sense Finance, and Sandy Adomatis SRA –Adomatis Appraisal Services

  • Synopsis - This short course will discuss topics surrounding market valuation techniques as applied to photovoltaic (PV) systems during a real estate transaction. More often than not, PV systems have been receiving little to no valuation, primarily due to a lack of knowledge by those in the appraisal, real estate, lending and underwriting industry. In response, Energy Sense Finance and Sandia National Laboratories joined forces to develop tools and conduct outreach on standard appraisal techniques and education concepts relevant to solar PV systems. The use of appropriate methodologies when valuing solar PV is key to minimizing risk and conveying the economic benefits of PV to all parties in the real estate transaction.

    By the end of this session, you will be able to: Use the PV ValueTM Tool to develop a range of value estimates that can be used by appraisers, real estate agents, and those in leasing and sales. Identify ways the solar industry can provide valuable data through installation and proper commissioning. (Custom derate factors, degradation rates); and Reveal other applications of the PV ValueTM Tool that can be applied to PACE programs.



  • PM4. Novel Materials and Device Concepts for Photovoltaic Energy Conversion

  • Instructor: Dr. Nicoleta Sorloaica-Hickman, Associate Professor at Florida Solar Energy Center, University of Central Florida

  • Synopsis - While the conventional photovoltaic technologies are currently dominating the market and advancing, there are still many exciting research efforts in developing novel materials and device architectures in this area. This tutorial will provide a perspective of the new technologies and materials, as well as novel device concepts which are actively being investigated globally to overcome the current limit of photovoltaic conversion efficiency and further drive down the cost of PV electricity generation.



  • PM5. Part 2. Distributed Generation Integration - Understanding the Current Challenges and Opportunities

  • Instructors: Michael Coddington, NREL; Blake Lundstrom, NREL; Prof. Ravel Ammerman, Colorado School of Mines/NREL; Robert Broderick, Sandia National Laboratories

  • Synopsis - Renewable energy resources are widely distributed geographically and are intermittent in nature, so they cannot be directly controlled and dispatched like the more traditional sources of generation. Large electrical power networks have been historically designed using centralized power generating stations supplying customer loads over interconnected transmission and distribution networks. Increasing the penetration level of distributed renewable energy sources requires adjustments to the existing operating procedure and design philosophy of large-scale power systems.

    The workshop begins with a high-level overview of energy resources and distributed generation technologies, followed by an in-depth technical discussion of distributed generation interconnection issues. The intent of the workshop is to encourage audience interaction by soliciting input from all participants, using distributed generation interconnection case studies to facilitate discussions. We will cover: Energy System Basics - The Electric Power Grid, Distributed Energy Systems - PV Systems, Applicable Standards and Codes, Interconnection Processes and Procedures, Integrating Distributed Generation - Problems and Mitigation Techniques.



  • WS1. IEA PVPS Task 13 Workshop: Lessons Learned from the Analytical Monitoring and Modeling of PV Systems

    Day: Sunday, June 16, 2013
    Time: 13:00 - 17:00
    Site: Tampa Convention Center
    Location: Tampa, Florida

    Optimizing the performance of PV plants is increasingly important as the PV industry becomes more competitive. This workshop will present work being performed as part of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Photovoltaic Power Systems Task 13 on Performance and Reliability of PV Systems. In particular, the workshop will focus on lessons learned from measuring performance from fielded PV systems and methods for analyzing and modeling system performance. Presenters will describe analysis methods and tools for use with PV monitoring data to identify system problems and better understand technology differences in diverse environments.

    Programme Outline

    13:00-13:20
    Introduction to IEA PVPS Task 13
    Dr. Nils Reich, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, Germany

    13:20-13:50
    An International Comparison of PV Annual Yield and Performance Ratio
    Dr. Wilfried van Sark, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Netherlands

    13:50-14:20
    PV Monitoring Data, User Stories, and Interpretation Guidelines
    Achim Woyte, PhD, 3E sa, Brussels, Belgium

    14:20-14:50
    The PV Performance Modeling Collaborative
    Joshua S Stein Ph.D, Sandia National Laboratories, USA

    14:50-15:20
    Diagnosing System Issues in Real Time
    Mike Green, M.G. Lightning Electrical Engineering, Israel

    15:20-15:50
    Networking break

    15:50-16:20
    An International Comparison of Thin-film Module Performance and the Relevance of Low Irradiance, Spectral and Temperature Effects
    Markus Schweiger, TUV Rheinland, Germany

    17:00
    Q&A, Workshop conclusion