Photovoltaics Engineering Science (M. Sc.)
Department of Electrical, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Major Fields of study
- Physics of the Solar Cell
- Crystalline and Thin Film Solar Cells
- Solar Modules and Components
- System Design, Monitoring, Yield and Performance Analysis
- Solar Cell and System Reliability
- Storage Systems, Electric Grids and Solar Energy Integration
Degree
Master of Science
Department
of Electrical, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Location
Köthen
Duration
3 semesters
Program Start
winter semester or summer semester
Study type
Full-Time Program
Language
English
Credits
90
Application period
International Uni Assist15.03. - 15.07. (winter)
15.09. - 15.01. (summer)
15.03. - 15.07. (winter)
15.09. - 15.01. (summer)
Course content and objectives
Photovoltaics Engineering Science is a 3 semesters Master program in English language, which requires a Bachelor degree in engineering science or physics. No professional experience is needed. It consists of 2 semesters courses in solar cell physics, technology of crystalline silicon and thin-film solar cells and modules, cell and materials characterization, components of a PV system and their reliability, system design, monitoring, yield and performance analysis, storage systems and electric grids and solar energy integration. The technical subjects will be accompanied by courses in German language (usually at beginner level) and business administration. A final research semester under supervision of a professor from the University concludes the program. The courses combine lectures with exercises, seminars or practical laboratory work. The tuition in compact form will build up on a requested solid basis of knowledge in mathematics, physics, fundamentals of engineering and scientific methodology, which the applicant is expected to have acquired in a previous Bachelor program. The research for the master thesis can be performed in the PV laboratory of Anhalt University, at the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP (in nearby city of Halle), or in any other PV laboratory or any PV company worldwide.
Requirements
-
University Degree
An academic degree in engineering science, physics or related fields of study of at least 7 semesters (210 credits) is required.
-
Language Skills
English language proficiency (TOEFL iBT min. 80 or CBT min. 180, IELTS min. 5.5, Cambridge Language Examination or equivalent). An evidenced graduation from an English-medium college or university is also accepted.
-
Aptitude Test Procedure
1. final grade first academic degree:
- Overall grades up to 3.0 (German grading scale) go into the selection process
- Overall grades lower than 3.0 (German grading scale) cannot be admitted
2. other criteria:
- letter of motivation
- CV
- in some cases aptitude interview
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Master program Photovoltaics Engineering Science will be qualified to work as engineers in research and development, design, construction, operation or management of photovoltaic power plants. Due to the forecast strong increase of photovoltaic power generation, especially in the sunrich countries around the world, excellent job perspectives are expected.
Therefore this program is especially well suited for students from countries, in which PV is currently strongly growing, and who want to participate in this process after having graduated. It is not suited for students, who are looking for a career start in Germany, because - although Germany is still a leading nation in research and development in PV - most of the production has meanwhile moved to the Far East, and the installation of big new PV power plants to the sunrich countries all over the world.
Technical questions about the course
Organizational questions
General Questions
Notes
- Program in English language
Conditions And Regulations
Photovoltaics Engineering Science - Master - Prüfungs- und Studienordnung 2016
Information Flyer
DownloadRemarks due to corona-pandemic (application deadline)
We recommend to apply before 15th December 2020 at Uni-Assist. Also use the chance to take part in our optional, informal pre-assessment process, especially if you have doubt about your qualification and chances!
Uni-Assist portal is regularly open beginning 15th September 2020 until 15th January 2021.
For everybody who applied before that date we guarantee evaluation of the documents and a decision about admission before the semester break and vacation season around christmas and new years eve. Before the decision about an admission we will conduct a web interview with the applicant, in which we check the motivation and whether the basic knowledge in math, physics, chemistry and electrical engineering is sufficient for this program.
For later applications we see only small chances to get the visa in time, especially under the aspect that many German embassies work only in a reduced emergency mode. Even if they resume normal working mode soon, we expect delays due to a large backlog of applications.
Preliminary remark
This program is well suited for students from countries, in which PV is currently growing strongly, and who want to participate in this process after having graduated. It is not suited for students, who are looking for a career start in Germany, because - although Germany is still a leading nation in research and development in PV - most of the production has meanwhile moved to the Far East, and the installation of new big PV power plants to the sunrich countries all over the world.
Prerequisites
Bachelor in Engineering Science or Physics or comparable subject, which ensures a sufficient basic knowledge in mathematics, physics, fundamentals of engineering and scientific methodology.
Ideal basis is a Bachelor in Electrical Engineering or in Physics. But you can apply also with a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering or Industrial Engineering or similar, if your Bachelor covered in addition to the above mentioned subjects the following topics sufficiently: chemistry or materials science, semiconductor materials, fundamentals of electrical engineering (DC and AC technology) and basic electronics (especially operation and theory of the diode, but also some knowledge about transistors, thyristors and other power electronics devices).
At least 210 credits or 7 semesters of study for the Bachelor is required. There is a graduation with a minimum grade of 3.0 (in the german grading system) required. In addition the applicant has to be sufficiently skilled in the English language, enabling her/him to follow courses and instructions in English. No knowledge of German is required.
Applicants, who have not achieved their university entrance qualification or Bachelor degree at an English-speaking institution, have to demonstrate proficiency in English as illustrated by appropriate scores of TOEFL (PBT/IPT=500, CBT=180 or iBT=80 points), IELTS (>5.5 score) or similar tests (TOEIC, Cambridge Certificate, ...) with Minimum B2 Level according to the "Gemeinsamen Europäischen Referenzrahmen für Sprachen" (common european framework of reference for languages).
Universities, which awarded the Bachelor degree, must be ranked "H+" according to the "Anabin" list (list of approval of foreign university degrees).
In addition, please hand in a full CV and a motivation letter (max. 1 page) which shows your deep interest and motivation for studying Master Photovoltaics Engineering Science.
Applicants, which received there University entrance qualification outside of Germany, needs to apply via "Uni-Assist". Please note, all documents and further required processes need to be ready and available at Uni-Assist at the date of the application deadline, to be evaluated right in time. Graduation documents (secondary school and Bachelor) needs to be officially certified/ notarized.
Due to corona-pandemic there is only a digital upload of your documents at Uni-Assist necessary. We will make checks, to proof your original documents.
After Uni-Assist was processing the formal evaluation of your documents, the program committee will perform a subject-specific evaluation and will invite selected applications to a Skype-Interview. Based on this the decision about admission will be made. Note, there is only a limited amount of free places available every semester.
Deadline for Applications
Winter semester: 15th July for international applicants with an university entrance qualification from OUTSIDE of Germany, 15th September for national applicants with a University entrance qualification from Germany or in case you do not need a VISA (especially residents from european countries);
Summer semester: 15th January international applicants with a University entrance qualification from OUTSIDE of Germany, 15th March for national applicants with a University entrance qualification from Germany or in case you do not need a VISA (especially residents from european countries).
We recommend to apply before 15th December 2020 at Uni-Assist.
For everybody who applied before that date we guarantee evaluation of the documents and a decision about admission before the semester break and vacation season. Before the decision about an admission we will conduct a web interview with the applicant, in which we check the motivation and whether the basic knowledge in math, physics, chemistry and electrical engineering is sufficient for this program.
For later applications we see only small chances to get the visa in time, especially under the aspect that many German embassies work only in a reduced emergency mode. Even if they resume normal working mode soon, we expect delays due to a large backlog of applications.
Semester start & tution fees
Tuition starts on the first working day in October (winter semester), or the first working day in April (summer semester).
A service fee of 80,- € is charged per semester for the students social affairs agency (Studentenwerk); in the first semester plus 6,- € for the student Union.
Academic advisor

Program coordinator

Documents
[Translate to English:] Academic advisor

[Translate to English:] Program coordinator

Research Projects in the field of Photovoltaics
Consortium project - MILLEFEUILLE - Materials and technologies for the direct production of multiple, ultra-thin silicon wafers
Project timeframe 1 August 2017 - 30 October 2020
Project objectives:
The objective of MILLEFUILLE is to provide the scientific and technological basis for cost-effective and scalable production of ultra-thin, monocrystalline silicon wafers that can be transferred to the industrial sector.
The project’s focus lies in developing and evaluating new processes and technologies for producing ultra-thin, monocrystalline silicon wafers (10 µm - 50 µm) and effectively texturing them to achieve sufficient light absorption for applications in photovoltaics.
• Macroporous silicon membranes can be produced on the wafer scale with a thickness between the lattice constant and wafer thickness.
• Macroporous saccate pores can be used to make crystalline silicon wafers with the ESS process (empty space in silicon).
• 3D macroporous silicon can be used to create several “thin wafers” in one process step (Millefeuille).
There are currently no documents available in this area.