- Degree
- Master of Science
- Course location
- Köthen / Anhalt
- In cooperation with
- Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP, Halle (Saale)
- Teaching language
- • English
- Languages
- Courses are held in English (100%).
No knowledge of German is requested, but it is helpful for daily life.
For those with knowledge of German at the beginner level, it is recommended to embark on German courses offered by the university or other institutions. Alternatively, you can choose the elective subject German for Professional Practice I or II. In this case, the subject will be credited. To find a job in Germany, some German language skills are usually needed.
- Full-time / part-time
- • full-time
- Programme duration
- 3 semesters
- Beginning
- Winter and summer semester
- Additional information on beginning, duration and mode of study
- The winter semester begins on the first working day in October and lasts 15 weeks (not including a two-week break over Christmas and New Year's Eve).
The summer semester begins on the first working day in April and lasts 15 weeks.
Exams take place either in the two weeks following a lecture period, or in the two weeks before it starts.
- Application deadline
- 15 July for the following winter semester (application and participation in pre-assessment process before 15 June recommended)
15 January for the following summer semester (application and participation in pre-assessment process before 15 December recommended)
For the pre-assessment process: www.hs-anhalt.de/mpv (http://www.hs-anhalt.de/mpv)
- Tuition fees per semester in EUR
- None
- Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
- No
- Joint degree / double degree programme
- No
- Description/content
- Starting in summer semester 2026, the programme will re-start with an updated structure.
Detailed information about the Master's programme can be found here: www.hs-anhalt.de/mpv (http://www.hs-anhalt.de/mpv).
• Solar Cell Technologies: silicon and wafer manufacturing, solar cell manufacturing, types of crystalline Si solar cells, advanced concepts and future developments, overview of thin-film technologies
• Renewable Energy Technologies and Applications: overview of renewable energy technologies and their possible applications, PV and its complementary renewable energy sources
• Solar Modules: module types, design, production, materials (polymers, interconnects, glass) and components (bypass diodes, junction box, cables, mounting)
• Power Converters: power electronic devices, concepts of converters (DC/DC, DC/AC, AC/DC), types of PV inverters, MPP tracking, power optimisers
• Energy Storage Systems: rechargeable batteries (lead, lithium, future systems), battery control, alternative storage systems (hydrogen, methane, electrolysis, pumped water storage)
• System Design, Yield and Performance Analysis: PV system design, monitoring systems, yield calculation, performance analysis
• Electric Grids and Solar System Integration: overview of electric grids, transmission and distribution grids, PV generator integration issues, reactive power management, smart grids
• System and Component Reliability and Assessment: test standards, failure mechanisms, light induced degradation, potential induced degradation (PID), polymer degradation, mechanical tests
In addition, for every semester, one elective subject has to be chosen: Machine Learning and AI, Internet Security, Solar Cell and Material Diagnostics, Real Time Systems, German for Professional Practice I & II
Although Germany is still leading in PV research & development, many companies have moved their main production sites to the Far East. Therefore, this programme is ideal for students who want to return to their home countries after graduation and help to promote PV there. However, Germany continues to offer a lot of job opportunities in PV system engineering and project management. Taking into account the general lack of qualified engineers and technicians in Germany and Germany's ambitious plans for the transition to a renewable energies economy, the job opportunities for those who want to stay in Germany after graduation are also good. In this case, at least a minimum knowledge of German is needed, which can be acquired during the programme.
- Current information
- Please check the course website www.hs-anhalt.de/mpv (http://www.hs-anhalt.de/mpv) for possible short-notice changes before applying or coming to Germany.