Project scope

The next generation of solar cells will be based on so-called "tandem" structures, which combine two solar cells into a single device. This integration presents many interesting and varied problems in how to best design these tandem cells and how to best package them into solar modules. In this project, you will have the choice of modelling these devices using a range of theoretical frameworks, all seeking to answer the question: how can we get the most out of the next generation of solar energy technologies?
This project will be primarily office based, using software simulation tools. However, for the right student and project length, some experimental measurement work in the Solar PV group characterisation laboratories can be performed to enhance the theoretical analyses.
The project can be adapted to different lengths ranging from one semester (3-4 months) to a full academic year. Available to start from 2 March 2026.
Workload of at least one day per week.
Suitable for a student project for ENGN2706, ENGN2707, ENGN3706, ENGN3712, ENGN4200, ENGN4350, ENGN8601,



and ENGN8602.
Suitable for both domestic and international students.

Project description

Fundamentally, a project in this space will target a specific operating condition (for example, partial shading of a solar module due to soiling or shadows) and aim to understand how this affects the operation of a tandem solar cell. This knowledge will in turn inform solar cell design and/or solar module design, to maximise energy output under these conditions. There are many such conditions we can consider, which will be discussed in advance.

When you connect two solar cells together, you entangle them with each other, optically, electrically and electronically. The operation of tandem solar cells thus becomes more complex than the sum of their parts. Further, the conditions under which solar cells operate is many and diverse. Optimising these complex solar technologies under variable and dynamic opera

📌 Theoretical modelling of state-of-the-art solar cells (Rajapalayam)
🏢 ANU Kim Jackson Scholarship
📍 Rajapalayam