Future photovoltaics based on earth abundant materials II

Photovoltaic based on earth-abundant materials can make solar energy production more sustainable and cost-effective. Their wide availability reduces resource depletion and geopolitical risks. Processed with existing techniques, they enable lower production cost and large-scale deployment. Furthermore, the use of non-toxic and readily available materials minimizes ecological risks associated with extraction, processing, and disposal. By lowering costs, increasing scalability, and reducing environmental impact, these technologies can accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

Scope:

Meeting the increasing global energy demands, while at the same time drastically reducing carbon emissions from the over reliance on and usage of fossil fuels remains one of the most critical challenges for humankind in the 21st century. Solar energy has long been on the horizon as one of the most important solutions in green energy production: the sun is super-abundant and freely available. However, for solar energy to be rapidly established as part of the mainstream electricity industry at reduced cost, devices must be flexible and made from inexpensive and earth-abundant materials. Currently, the PV market is dominated by crystalline-Si (c-Si), thin-film CdTe, and Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) based devices, but there is a growing need to explore other materials and architectures that can contribute to more efficient solar energy production.

This symposium serves as a key gathering point for leading experts in materials science and photovoltaics, offering a platform to discuss the latest advancements in earth-abundant materials for solar energy. It highlights recent research and ongoing projects aimed at enhancing our understanding of materials and devices while exploring new pathways for more efficient solar cell production.

The event will cover all stages of development for earth-abundant and emerging materials in thin-film photovoltaics, incorporating both experimental and theoretical approaches, taking also care of the life cycle analysis of the device’s production and end-of-life.

By bringing together a community of specialists, this symposium provides a unique opportunity to explore the potential of earth-abundant materials in solar energy. The aim is to advance photovoltaics, making solar power more accessible and cost-effective as a clean energy source for all.

Hot topics to be covered by the symposium:

Topics will span from insights into basic materials science, to analysis of device properties and new device structures and applications, to discussions of the progress in synthesis methods and growth control, and to life cycle assessment, recyclability and end-of-life management. All materials layers of importance for solar cell devices will be addressed, such as absorbers, transparent conductors, interface layers, buffers and other components of thin film PV. Materials will include, but will not be limited to: sulfides/selenides (Cu2S, WSe2, Sn(S,Se), FeS2, Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4), nitrides (Zn(Ge, Si,Sn)N2, Cu3N) phosphides (ZnSnP2, Zn3P2), oxides (ZnVO, ZnSnO, Cu2O), and related multinary compounds.

• Emerging earth abundant materials and nanomaterials for solar cell absorbers
• Absorber preparation and material properties
• Novel materials and innovations for transparent conducting electrodes
• Computational design for earth abundant PV materials and devices
• Defect analysis of materials
• Novel solar cell architectures, device characterization and modeling
• Contacts, buffers, substrates and interfaces properties
• Life cycle assessment and recyclability of new PV materials