Master Solar PV: Principles, Tech & Materials | IIT Kanpur Online Course
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 487 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Categories | Metallurgy and Material science & Mining Engineering, Energy, Climate and Sustainability, Electronic Materials, Multidisciplinary |
| Credit Points | 2 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 29 Mar 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock the Science of Solar Energy: A Comprehensive Course on Photovoltaic Principles & Technologies
In an era defined by the urgent need for clean and sustainable energy, solar photovoltaics (PV) stands at the forefront of the global energy transition. Understanding the science, materials, and engineering behind this transformative technology is no longer a niche skill but a critical competency for engineers, scientists, and policymakers. We are thrilled to introduce a detailed online course, "Solar Photovoltaics: Principles, Technologies & Materials," designed to provide a rigorous foundation in this dynamic field.
This 8-week course, offered at the undergraduate/postgraduate level, is instructed by Prof. Ashish Garg, a distinguished professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. Under his expert guidance, you will journey from the fundamental physics of sunlight to the advanced materials powering the next generation of solar cells.
Course Instructor: Learn from an IIT Kanpur Expert
Prof. Ashish Garg brings a wealth of research and teaching experience in electronic and energy materials. His work at IIT Kanpur focuses on the development and characterization of advanced materials for sustainable energy applications. You can explore his pioneering research and academic profile on the official IIT Kanpur website: home.iitk.ac.in/~ashishg/. Learning directly from such an accomplished academic ensures you receive insights grounded in cutting-edge research and practical industry challenges.
Who Should Enroll? Target Audience & Prerequisites
This multidisciplinary course is meticulously designed for:
- Students in Metallurgy, Materials Science, Mining Engineering, Electronics, Physics, and Chemical Engineering.
- Professionals in the energy, semiconductor, and manufacturing sectors seeking to deepen their technical knowledge of PV technology.
- Researchers and Academics looking for a structured overview of photovoltaic science.
- Entrepreneurs and Policymakers in the climate and sustainability space who need a technical foundation to make informed decisions.
Prerequisite: A basic understanding of physics is recommended to fully grasp the semiconductor concepts discussed. The course is structured to build knowledge from the ground up, making it accessible to motivated learners from diverse backgrounds.
What You Will Learn: Detailed 8-Week Curriculum
The course is logically structured over eight weeks, each building upon the last to form a complete understanding of solar photovoltaics.
| Week | Module Title | Key Learning Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction and Solar Radiation Fundamentals | Understand the solar spectrum, irradiance, and the potential of solar energy. |
| 2 | Basic Physics of Semiconductors | Learn about band theory, charge carriers (electrons & holes), and doping. |
| 3 | Carrier Transport, Generation and Recombination | Explore how light creates charge carriers and how they move and recombine in a material. |
| 4 | Semiconductor Junctions | Delve into the heart of the solar cell: the P-N junction and its behavior. |
| 5 | Essential Characteristics of Solar PV Devices | Master key parameters: I-V curves, efficiency, fill factor, and quantum efficiency. |
| 6 | First Generation Solar Cells | Study traditional, high-efficiency crystalline silicon (c-Si) wafer-based technology. |
| 7 | Second Generation Solar Cells | Examine thin-film technologies like Amorphous Silicon (a-Si), Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), and CIGS. |
| 8 | Third Generation Solar Cells | Discover emerging and future technologies: organic PV, perovskites, dye-sensitized, and multi-junction cells. |
Essential Reference Materials
To complement the video lectures and assignments, the course references several authoritative texts, including:
- Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering by A. Luque and S. Hegedus
- The Physics of Solar Cells by Jenny Nelson
- Physics of Solar Cells: From Basic Principles to Advanced Concepts by Peter Wurfel
- Photovoltaic Materials by R.H. Bube
Industry Relevance & Career Prospects
Industry Support: This course is highly relevant for most companies in the solar photovoltaic value chain, including:
- Solar cell and module manufacturers
- Materials and chemical suppliers
- PV project developers and EPC companies
- Research & Development organizations
- Renewable energy consulting and policy firms
By completing this course, you will gain the technical vocabulary and fundamental understanding necessary to contribute to roles in R&D, process engineering, quality control, technical sales, and sustainability management within the booming solar industry.
Enroll Today and Power Your Future
Whether you aim to launch a career in renewable energy, advance your current professional path, or simply satisfy a scientific curiosity about how sunlight is converted into electricity, this course provides the perfect platform. Join Prof. Ashish Garg and a global community of learners to demystify solar photovoltaics and equip yourself with knowledge that is vital for a sustainable future.
Take the first step towards mastering solar technology. Enroll now and illuminate your understanding of the principles, materials, and innovations driving the solar revolution.
Enroll Now →