International Summer School on Photovoltaic Systems and Emerging Technologies

Unmet Educational Need for the Program

The development of an International Summer School on Photovoltaic Systems and Emerging Technologies is necessary due to a) the growing demand for renewable energy sources, especially solar energy, and b) the rapid development of photovoltaic technologies. As the world shifts towards sustainable energy, there is a significant need for a skilled workforce in solar energy systems. This project will address the skills gap by providing hands-on training and the latest knowledge on emerging technologies such as perovskite solar cells, solar storage and smart grid integration. Emphasis is placed on the latest generation photovoltaic, organic and perovskite technologies. In addition to the theoretical part, the workshop is ideal for all those who are already working in this field and need to deepen their knowledge about new developments, the industrial situation and market perspectives. Therefore, the summer school brings together participants from a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds, promoting global collaboration, allowing knowledge exchange between professionals, researchers and students from different backgrounds.

Key Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge of photovoltaic systems, renewable energy technologies and their applications. The following knowledge, skills, and abilities will be acquired:

1. a) Understanding of the basic principles of photovoltaic systems.
2. b) Practical training/experience with photovoltaic systems.
3. c) Understanding of the global energy landscape and the developing policy.
4. d) Problem solving and development of analytical skills in relation to photovoltaic systems.

Target Audience

The programme is addressed to professionals, researchers and students (undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and postdoctoral students) of with a chemistry or engineering background such as chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental engineering, electrical engineering and production and management engineering.

Categories of candidates accepted – Prerequisite knowledge/ Entry requirements

Applications for participation can be submitted by: engineering and chemistry students and graduates. Prerequisites are internet access, personal email and basic computer skills.

Program implementation

Mixed : The Programme will be implemented with the following forms of training:

– In person training (theory and workshops),

– Online material.

Training material

The trainees are provided with notes and digital material including videos and PowerPoint presentations.

Program Syllabus

Thematic Unit 1. Energy and Resources

Introductory course to energy, reserves and resources which covers the social, economical, environmental and technological background of renewable energy generation. Also, a comprehensive comparison with world oil and gas reserves and a first contact with the PRMS system will take place. Subjects such as: Energy consumption, GHG emission, renewable energy technologies (wind, solar, biomass, bio-fuel, geothermal, hydropower, wave, tidal current, hydrogen fuel cells) will be discussed. The goal of the course is to review the technological potential of renewable energy. At the end of the course the students will learn: How to reduce air pollution, how to decrease the dependence on coal, fossil fuels and nuclear, how to start, design and build a renewable energy system.

Thematic Unit 2. Photovoltaic Technologies (PVT)

Contents:

Part 1:

    PV principles

    Crystalline silicon based technology,

    Types and conversion efficiency of different solar cells architecture

 Part 2:

    LCC of some PV installations

    Principle of LCC calculation

    Trends and issues: What’s Future?

Thematic Unit 3. Organic & Perovksites Photovoltaics (OPV & PPV) / Organic materials for photovoltaic applications

First, the principle of Organic and Perovskites technologies will be presented. The course provides an insight into the theory behind these technologies and describes the three main research areas within the field i.e. materials, stability and processing.

Beyond the theoretical aspects, the goal of the course about OPV/PPV is to give a clear pictures of the last industrial developments and market opportunities. The future of these last PV generations will be discussed with students on the basis of the key parameters (technical, cost, market, regulation, politics…) and compared with other PV and renewable technologies.

Thematic Unit 4. Photovoltaic System Applications (PVS) / LCC-LCA of various PV technology

Introduction on the design process for several complete self-contained PV systems and grid-tied systems

Contents:

Part 1: PV systems applications

• An overview of applications
• Stand-alone systems:
  • Components and conversion chain
  • MPPT
  • System design
• Grid-tied systems:
  • Integration of PV generators to the grid
  • Conversion chain
  • Power converters associated to grid-tied PV systems
  • Regulations and policies
  • Grid services
  • Hybridization of electrical energy storage for intelligent integration of PV in electric networks

Part 2: Simulation of a case study

Thematic Unit 5. Modeling and Simulation in Energy Engineering (MSEE)

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the methodologies and tools involved in the modelling and simulation of advanced energy systems in general and PV systems in particular. The students should be able to (1) formulate, mathematically describe, numerically solve and analyse energy conversion processes, using advanced numerical tools and (2) perform techno-economic analyses for the integration of PV units in energy systems.

Thematic Unit 6. Photovoltaic Systems: Performance, Reliability and Emerging Challenges in O&M

The content of this course provides a comprehensive overview of the theoretical elements, key concepts, best practices and technical challenges related to the performance, reliability and O&M of PV systems. In Part 1, a particular focus is given on the better understanding and insights into: i) PV performance indicators, monitoring and forecasting methods and safety on the operational side and ii) PV reliability and underperformance issues in the field, diagnostics/inspections and preventive/corrective actions on the maintenance side. Part 1 closes with a presentation and discussion on recent technological advances and opportunities of the PV research community and industry in (and towards) the Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy eras. The part 2 of this course comprises of a practical example/case study, focusing on hands-on understanding of actual performance and reliability aspects in real-life operating PV plants. In this case, the return of experience from PV systems inspections will be presented, in an interactive way with (open questions from/to) the attendees of this course.

Teaching hours: 68

Total load hours: 175

ECTS credits: 7

Trainee Obligations/Certificate Acquisition

For successful completion of the program, participants must:

1. A) Attend all teaching units. Absences cannot exceed 15% of the scheduled training hours.
2. B) Successfully complete the assessment.
3. C) Pay all tuition fees.

Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a Certificate of Specialized Trainning, lasting 175 hours, equivalent to 7 ECTS credits.

Participants who have attended the program without exceeding 15% absences, paid all tuition fees, but have not succeeded in the assessment process specified by the program, will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance.

Faculty

1. Dr Stéphane Cros, Department of Technological Research, French National Institute for Solar Energy, email: CROS@cea.fr
2. Dr Ing. Dhaker Abbes, researcher teacher and co-head of Energy, Electrical and Automated Systems (ESEA) field in the engineering school HEI Lille, email:abbes@junia.com
3. Dr Nikolaos C. Kokkinos, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry of Democritus University of Thrace, email:nkokkinos@chem.duth.gr.
4. Dr Ioannis Tsanakas, Project Manager at CEA-INES (France), email: tsanakas@cea.fr
5. Dr Mohamed MoezBelhaouane, Assistant Professor in power system control and renewable energy at JUNIA Group (High School of Engineering), Lille – Franc and member of the power system team at L2EP Laboratory (Laboratory of Electrical Engineering and Power Electronics), University of Lille. email: mohamed-moez.belhaouane@junia.com
6. George Vythoulkas, Laboratory Assistant at the Department of Chemistry of Democritus University of Thrace, geovyth@chem.duth.gr.

Participation Cost

The participation cost amounts to 500 € and 300 € per person for students of DUTH. This amount can be paid in 2 equal installments of 200 € and 300 € (100 € for DUTH students), respectively. The first installment before the start of the courses in a Bank Account to be announced, the second by 09/06/2025.

Payment of the first installment is a prerequisite for participation in the program.

Offline, via bank transfer

Bank name: ALPHA BANK

SWIFT Code: CRBAGRAA

IBAN: GR81 0140 9000 9000 0200 1000 166

Beneficiary: EIDIKOS LOGARIASMOS KONDYLION EREVNAS DPTH

Applicants should mention “KE 30135 (KEDIVIM)”

Admission and Selection Criteria

The maximum number of trainees in the program is 40, and the minimum is 15.

For the evaluation of applications and the selection of candidates, the following criteria are followed: based on their CV and priority order in the application form.

Submission of applications and supporting documents

Applications open: 10/02/2025

Application deadline: 09/06/2025 or until vacancies are filled.

The electronic application constitutes a Declaration of Responsibility according to paragraph 4 of article 8 of law 1599/1986. The candidate, with their application, unreservedly accepts all the terms of the program, as stated in the public invitation/study guide of the program, in the study regulation and in the operating regulations of TLLC-DUTH ((https://kedivim.duth.gr/operfr/).

The required documents that the candidate must submit for participation in the Program at a minimum are:

1. Copy of identity card/passport
2. CV

Objections will be accepted no later than 5 days after the publication of the list of admitted candidates.

In case the minimum required number of trainees is not reached, the Program Coordinator reserves the right to change the starting date of the program or cancel it, informing the trainees in a timely manner.

Contact details

For further information regarding the program please contact Dr. Zoi Metaxa at 2510 462 227, e-mail: zmetaxa@chem.duth.gr.

Modules attached

For more information: https://i3se.kedivim.duth.gr/index.php