TOPIC 2: Thin-Films and New Concepts
THIS TOPIC IS DIVIDED INTO THE DIFFERENT PHOTOVOLTAIC MATERIALS CURRENTLY USED OR IN THE CONCEPT OR DEMONSTRATION PHASE THAT ARE NOT BASED ON SILICON. AN EXCEPTION IS TANDEM STRUCTURES COMBINING OTHER MATERIALS WITH SILICON, WHICH ARE GROUPED IN SUBTOPICS 2.1 (PEROVSKITE-BASED TANDEMS AND MULTIJUNCTIONS) AND SUBTOPIC 2.3 (ALL OTHER TANDEMS). THE TOPIC COMPRISES THEORETICAL STUDIES, INNOVATIONS IN PROCESSING AND MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES AS WELL AS UPSCALING, MEASUREMENT AND CHARACTERISATION. IF THE PAPER DESCRIBES ENCAPSULATION AT MODULE LEVEL, IT IS BETTER TO SUBMIT UNDER SUBTOPIC 3.1. FOR MATERIALS WHICH DON’T FALL UNDER ANY OF THE MATERIALS LISTED IN SUBTOPICS 2.1 TO 2.3, CONSIDER SUBTOPICS 2.4 AND 2.5, WHICH COLLECT CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ONGOING CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH INTO UNDERSTANDING PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION, INCLUDING NEW MATERIALS AND CROSS-FERTILISATION WITH OTHER FIELDS OF OPTOELECTRONICS. SPACE APPLICATIONS OF PV ARE PLACED IN SUBTOPIC 4.6 OTHER INNOVATIVE PV APPLICATIONS; PV IN SPACE.
2.1 Perovskite-based Tandems and Multijunctions
This subtopic focuses on perovskite-based tandem solar cells such as perovskite-silicon, all-perovskite or perovskite combined with other materials. For tandem structures not containing perovskite see subtopic 2.3. For research focusing on the transformation of single-junction silicon cells into designs appropriate for use as silicon bottom cells in tandem devices, please see Subtopic 1.3. Work related to improving the lifetime and reliability of perovskite-based devices is also covered in this subtopic. Module level studies, such as manufacturing and field performance may be better in Topic 3.
This subtopic brings together the increasing research into tandem structures employing perovskites. In the first instance this typically envisages structures on silicon, but all other combinations (such as all-thin-film tandems involving perovskite) are welcome. The subtopic comprises theoretical studies, innovations in processing and manufacturing technologies and upscaling, measurement and characterisation. Work related to degradation mechanisms and transient behaviour of the cell materials, including improving material composition, and the related stress tests, on packaged cells, mini-modules and packaged mini-modules are to be submitted here. N.B. For III-V multijunction devices and other tandems not employing perovskites, see subtopic 2.3.
2.2 Perovskites
Lead halide perovskites and their lead-free analogues, perovskite-based devices, up-scaling technologies and strategies. Work related to improving the lifetime and reliability of perovskite devices. Module level work, such as module manufacturing, characterisation and field performance may be better placed in Topic 3.
The subtopic comprises theoretical studies, innovations in processing and upscaling (including interconnection techniques such as monolithic interconnection via laser scribing), measurement, and characterisation. Work related to degradation mechanisms and transient behaviour of the cell materials, including improving material composition, and the related stress tests, on packaged cells, mini-modules and packaged mini-modules are to be submitted here. Hybrid and other tandems employing perovskites are excluded from this subtopic (please refer to subtopic 2.1).
2.3 Compound and Organic Semiconductors
Compound semiconductors (e.g. II-VI and III-V) and organic devices, materials, surfaces/interfaces and contacts, processing, measurement and characterisation, modelling. Novel cell architectures, materials, technologies and processing for single and multi-junction cells. Work related to improving the lifetime and reliability of such devices. Tandem devices that do not involve perovskite.
The broad family of chalcogenide and kesterite thin film technologies, e.g. CI(G)S and CZTS, as well as CdTe, are contained in this subtopic; Polymer, organic and dye-sensitized cells and devices are also included. Devices, materials, surfaces/interfaces and contacts, modelling, processing, up-scaling technologies and strategies, quality control, lifetime and reliability measurement and characterisation are all covered. III-V and related compound semiconductors. Tandem devices that are not covered under subtopic 2.1 (N.B. for research into the transformation of single-junction silicon cells into designs appropriate for use as silicon bottom cells in tandem devices, please see Subtopic 1.3).
2.4 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.
2.5 New Modelling and Characterisation Techniques
Theoretical studies of materials, cells and modules; new measurement techniques, and new modelling and simulation approaches.
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.
