From Solar Energy to Electricity: How Photovoltaics Work and its prospects

This module explores the potential of solar energy in the energy transition. It covers photovoltaic conversion principles, different types of solar cells currently on the market, their performance evaluation, and end-of-life panel recycling processes.
Code: UNIMIB-MC-2
  • Credits: 1
  • Badge reward: From Solar Energy to Electricity: How Photovoltaics Work and its prospects
From Solar Energy to Electricity: How Photovoltaics Work and its prospects  UNIMIB-MC-2

What you'll learn

Sustainability education in the field of energy and acquisition of an appropriate set of skills for everyone to be able to deal critically with the issue of energy related to climate change.
Acquisition of basic technical-scientific knowledge in order to be able to assess current technologies and deal with the energy transition. Acquisition of basic environmental skills and related communication skills.

Course Content

The module aims at analysing the potential of solar energy within the energy transition. The aim is to provide students with the basic skills to be able to better understand the potential of photovoltaic conversion of solar energy by describing the different types of solar cells currently on the market. The advantages and disadvantages of the various technologies, their potential fields of application and a description of how a photovoltaic system works and how its performance is evaluated will be explained. The full sustainability of this inexhaustible source of renewable energy will also be demonstrated by describing the current recovery and recycling process of end-of-life solar panels.

Lesson1. 2 hours, Photovoltaic energy in the current renewable energy scenario: state of the art and future prospects.

Lesson 2. 2 hours, How does a solar cell work? General characteristics and operating principles of photovoltaic devices.
Lesson 3. 2 hours, Types of solar cells on the market (crystalline silicon cells and thin film cells for building integration).

Lesson 4. 2 hours, New materials and new types of cells: current research lines.

Lesson 5. 2 hours, Photovoltaic modules and plants: how to quantify the energy produced by a domestic photovoltaic plant and how to calculate its economic and energy return + recycling processes of photovoltaic panels at the end of their life.

Lesson 6. 1 hour, Photovoltaics everywhere: the photovoltaics of the cities and countryside of the future: from architectural integration in buildings to the exploitation of indoor lighting up to Agrivoltaics. 1 hour, Forecast from 1 Terawatt (1000 GW) today to 70 TW of installed capacity in 2050 needed to reach the climate objectives set in the 2015 Paris agreement.

Prerequisites

Bachelor/master degree.

Description

Mode of Delivery: Online, both synchronous and asynchronous (available recorded lectures, readings, exercises)

Learning Outcomes

The holder of this Badge has acquired the following SKILLS: 
Acquisition of specific skills in the scientific field related to photovoltaic devices, with a focus on devices currently on the market. Becoming familiar with the production processes for the realisation of photovoltaic devices and systems and to be able to assess their impact in terms of sustainability and integration in cities and rural environments. Acquiring language and communication skills to promote sustainability, specifically related to the exploitation of solar energy as an inexhaustible source of energy in a sustainable energy transition process. Development of skills to take measures to reduce pollution and apply these acquired environmental skills and competences in the fight against climate change through sustainable behaviour choices.

And the following SOFT SKILLS: Through this module, students will develop several transversal competencies that support their academic and professional development:
Critical and analytical thinking, through the interpretation of scientific and technical information related to photovoltaic technologies and energy transition.
Evidence-based evaluation, by assessing the sustainability, performance, and environmental impact of different photovoltaic solutions.
Systems thinking, understanding the relationship between energy production, urban and rural environments, and climate change mitigation strategies.
Problem-solving skills, applied to sustainability challenges related to renewable energy integration and pollution reduction.
Information literacy, including the ability to interpret technical reports, sustainability assessments, and data on renewable energy technologies.
Communication skills, enabling students to clearly explain the benefits and limitations of solar energy technologies and promote sustainable behaviours.

Learning process

The module aims at analysing the potential of solar energy within the energy transition. The aim is to provide students with the basic skills to be able to better understand the potential of photovoltaic conversion of solar energy by describing the different types of solar cells currently on the market. The advantages and disadvantages of the various technologies, their potential fields of application and a description of how a photovoltaic system works and how its performance is evaluated will be explained. The full sustainability of this inexhaustible source of renewable energy will also be demonstrated by describing the current recovery and recycling process of end-of-life solar panels.

Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy,  Goal 11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

  • ECTS 1
  • Student level Bachelor/Master degree
  • University University of Milano-Bicocca
  • Department & Faculty Department of Materials Science . Faculty: Giorgio Tseberlidis and Vanira Trifiletti
  • Type Stackable
  • Mode of delivery Online delivery
  • Type of assessment Written Assignments, Essays, and Quizzes
  • Grading The assessment is based on a passed/failed grading scheme
  • EFQ Level 6 – Bachelor’s degree level, Level 7 – Master’s degree level
  • Language English
  • Location Online
  • Academic period Year 2026-27
  • Studies Period 15/05/2027 - 31/07/2027
  • Workload 12 hours
Associated ESCO skills

From Solar Energy to Electricity: How Photovoltaics Work and its prospects