Introduction to the basic concepts of photovoltaic solar energy conversion, including: 1. The solar resource in the context of global energy demand; 2. The operating principles and theoretical limits of photovoltaic devices; 3. Device fabrication, architecture, and primary challenges and practical limitations for the major technologies and materials used for photovoltaic devices. Students will gain knowledge of: the device physics of solar cells, the operating principles of the major commercial photovoltaic technologies, the current challenges and primary areas of research within the field of photovoltaics, and a basic understanding of the role of photovoltaics in the context of the global energy system.