Conference Topics

This Topic is subdivided amongst the different photovoltaic materials in use today or in the conceptual or demonstration phase that are not based on silicon.  An exception is tandem structures combining other materials with silicon which are grouped together in subtopic 2.1. The Topic comprises theoretical studies, innovations in processing and manufacturing technologies and upscaling, measurement and characterisation. If the paper describes the encapsulation on a module level, it probably is better to be presented under subtopic 3.1. For materials which don’t fall under any of those listed in subtopics 2.1 to 2.4 you should consider subtopics 2.5 and 2.6, which present the ongoing high-end research with contributions to the understanding of photovoltaic conversion, including new or exotic materials and cross-fertilisation with other fields of optoelectronics.

2.1    Tandems

Hybrid and other tandems with Si or other materials combined with perovskites, or other tandem absorbers.

This subtopic brings together the increasing research into tandem structures combining a wide variety of materials. In the first instance this typically envisages structures on silicon, but all other combinations (such as all-thin-film tandems) are welcome. The subtopic comprises theoretical studies, innovations in processing and manufacturing technologies and upscaling, measurement and characterisation.

2.2    Perovskites

Lead halide perovskites and their lead-free analogues, perovskite-based devices, manufacturing and up-scaling technologies and strategies, quality and reliability in production.

Perovskites are of increasing research interest and have been given a separate subtopic. The subtopic comprises theoretical studies, innovations in processing and manufacturing technologies and upscaling, measurement and characterisation.

2.3    CI(G)S, CdTe and Related Thin Films; Organic and Dye-Sensitised Devices

Devices, materials, surfaces/interfaces and contacts, processing and manufacturing technologies, measurement and characterisation, modelling.

The broad family of chalcogenide and kesterite thin film technologies, e.g., CI(G)S and CdTe, are contained in this subtopic; Polymer, organic and dye-sensitised cells and devices are also included. Devices, materials, surfaces/interfaces and contacts, modelling, processing and manufacturing technologies, up-scaling technologies and strategies, quality control, lifetime and reliability measurement and characterisation are all covered.

2.4    III-V and Related Compound Semiconductors

Novel cell architectures, materials, technologies and processing for III-V single and multi-junction cells.

Electrical characterisation and modelling of cells.        
III-V and related compound semiconductors continue to demonstrate the highest efficiencies of all technologies. The subtopic comprises theoretical studies, innovations in processing and manufacturing technologies and upscaling, measurement and characterisation.

2.5    New Materials, Devices and Conversion Concepts

New cell materials and concepts, e.g., use of nanotechnologies and quantum effects. New module materials and concepts.

Here we invite papers which describe experimental research realising new materials and device concepts, with emphasis on a rather fundamental or prototype (i.e., low TRL) level.

2.6    Advanced Modeling and Characterization

Theoretical studies of materials, cells and modules; new measurement techniques, modelling and simulation.

This subtopic comprises all theoretical work on photovoltaic conversion as well as for instance measurement techniques to reveal e.g., atomic structures or electronic properties.