Now freely available to all is the MIT web-based OpenCourseware for 2.997 Direct Solar/Thermal to Electrical Energy Conversion Technologies.
Course DescriptionThis course introduces principles and technologies for converting heat into electricity via solid-state devices. The first part of the course discusses thermoelectric energy conversion and thermoelectric materials, thermionic energy conversion, and photovoltaics. The second part of the course discusses solar thermal technologies. Various solar heat collection systems will be reviewed, followed by an introduction to the principles of solar thermophotovoltaics and solar thermoelectrics. Spectral control techniques, which are critical for solar thermal systems, will be discussed.
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mechanical-engineering/2-997-direct-solar-thermal-to-electrical-energy-conversion-technologies-fall-2009/Click on the 'Audio lectures' link for access to the pdfs and mp3s.
