EVENT INSIGHTS

Message from the topic chair, Dr Delfina Muñoz:

Today, crystalline silicon (c-Si)-based PV technology dominates the PV market due to the high efficiency, long-term stability, reliability, and material abundance. All these assets, together with strong cost reduction efforts in production, have enabled the current successful deployment of PV. Although many people think that nothing is left to discover for c-Si (efficiency close to the theoretical limit, multi GW production ongoing…), there are still a lot of opportunities and questions to answer! From material development (linked with recycling!) to eco-design strategies in solar cell manufacturing, such as reducing Ag, In, and energy consumption. Ultimate efforts are needed to improve layers and interfaces and modelling and characterization strategies, as well as improved production steps and equipment. And, last but not least, how to adapt Si solar cells for the next generation of tandems? All these subjects will be discussed in the many different sessions under the topic Silicon Materials and Cells at the EU PVSEC 2024 conference.

Dr Delfina Muñoz
CEA, Le Bourget-du-Lac, France

Message from the topic chair, Dr Marika Edoff:

While the Silicon based solar cells are both affordable and long term stable, development of new concepts and materials is of high interest for next generation of solar cells with even better performance both in terms of efficiency and levelized electricity cost. Topic 2, Thin Films and New Concepts, includes the thin film solar cells with perovskites, CIGS, CdTe and kesterites and other emerging materials and also deals with several types of tandem based concepts with thin film components, such as perovskite-silicon, perovskite-perovskite, perovskite-CIGS and even multijunction beyond tandem. Of specific interest for thin film solar cells and especially perovskites is to understand the fundamental physics and therefore characterization, combined with modelling, for feedback may lead to further improvement. There are still question marks on up-scaling and stability that needs addressing. For the chalcogenide based solar cells, the interaction with alkali elements has led to the new record efficiencies and is of continuing interest and both light and heavy alkalis interaction with the absorber materials will be discussed in the topic 2 sessions. In one exciting session, we will also hear about more innovative and ground-breaking concepts, such as hot carriers, singlet fission and thermoelectric converters.

Dr Marika Edoff,
Uppsala University, Sweden

Message from the topic chair, Dr Giorgio Bardizza:

The photovoltaic (PV) sector is witnessing swift advancements, with a dual focus on enhancing solar power’s efficiency and affordability, as well as its smooth incorporation into the broader energy landscape and architectural structures. Producers are at the forefront, embracing cutting-edge cell technologies like heterojunction (HJT), tandem cells that merge silicon with perovskite, and back contact cells, all aimed at elevating efficiency levels. Bifacial modules are increasingly popular, capturing a larger portion of the market. Innovations in module design are consistently reducing the inactive space between cells, thereby increasing overall module efficiency.

The integration of PV systems with battery storage solutions is being refined, with BOS components being specifically designed for seamless integration, thereby optimizing self-consumption of energy and enhancing grid services. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are increasingly employed for predictive maintenance and to optimize performance.

A heightened focus on sustainable manufacturing materials and recycling programs at the end of a product’s life cycle is evident, aiming to reduce the environmental footprint of PV systems. The application and integration of PV technology in buildings, floating systems, and agriculture are sparking new interest, with the development of tailored solutions.

These significant developments will be explored and deliberated at the EUPVSEC 2024 conference, specifically under topic 3, which is dedicated to Photovoltaic Modules and BOS Components.

Dr Giorgio Bardizza
TÜV Rheinland Solar, Germany

Message from the topic chair, Prof Franz P. Baumgartner:

The first time in my personal history of three decades attending the EU PVSEC the PV Systems Engineering Topic 4 attracted the most incoming conference contributions which ended up in 14 specific oral session and 5 poster sessions like 4DV.4 with the aspect of power systems with renewables Integration. The topic range is from PV plant design including solar resources prediction to PV plant O&M learnings, like best practice of key performance indicators in 4AO.7 or news in predictive maintenance in 4BO.6 or data driven field inspections in 4BO.7, as well as outstanding aspects in PV in building, like semi-transparent PV windows in 4BO.16 or colouring techniques and their angle-dependent appearance 4BO.5, and multiuse PV installation, like Agri PV with the aspect of optimizing light transmission for crop growth in 4DO.3 and floating PV in and vehicle integrated PV in 4DO.4 with industrialization of curved glass-free PV modules. The fundamentals and new trends of planning PV power plants are in the focus of 4EO.2, or in session 4AO.9 how to reduce soiling losses by coatings or cleaning and discuss soiling models for different region from Europe and outside, like in. Are inverters also limiting the utility plant performance and will neuronal networks be helpful to predict efficiency and what’s about inverter failure rates in the field will be analysed in 4AO.8.

Prof Franz P. Baumgartner
Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland

Message from the topic chair, Dr Marta Victoria:

In 2022, the world achieved a significant milestone by installing over 1 terawatt (TW) of solar photovoltaic capacity, marking the inauguration of the terawatt era. This momentum is set to continue, with projections indicating that the second terawatt will be reached by 2025. Solar PV is enabling a radical and timely transformation of our energy system to mitigate climate change, but additional challenges arise.

What amount and types of storage do we need to balance solar generation? How do we electrify other sectors to allow PV contribution to reduce CO₂ emissions in transport, aviation or industry? What could be the role of solar fuels? How do we ensure that PV modules can be recycled? How do we improve public acceptance? We are looking forward to engaging in all these relevant discussions under the topic PV in the Energy Transition topic at the EU PVSEC 2024 conference.

Dr Marta Victoria
Aarhus University, Denmark