TOPIC 4: Systems Design and Operation; Applications

4.1    Solar Resource and Forecasting

Solar resource assessment, measurement, monitoring, and modelling, including long-term timeseries, forecasting and now-casting. Besides solar resource, PV projections (at different temporal and spatial scale) and meteorological assessment of PV relevant variables for standard PV as well as integrated-PV is included in this subtopic. Ground measurement (benchmark, data format, quality control, protocols and equipment) as well as modelled data (satellite-based, physical-based models and AI-based models). Use of Geographic information system (GIS) tools for solar resource assessment and mapping.

Abstracts which deal with all PV relevant solar radiation science, as well as, other relevant meteorological variables (photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), spectral irradiance, etc.) for standard and integrated-PV, including models and tools are placed here. Ground measurement equipment includes devices to measure irradiance such as pyranometers, pyrheliometers, cells, spectroradiometers, and other relevant equipment to measure other parameters such as wind speed, temperature, humidity and albedo.

4.2    Design, Engineering and Installation of PV Systems; BoS

This subtopic deals with design, engineering, realization and commissioning of individual PV systems: Planning, methods and tools for optimization, sizing, site suitability assessment, cost analyses, advanced installation criteria, construction and safety issues; Power Electronics and Electrical Grid Interface; Balance of System Components; AI techniques to support all aspects of design.

Also included here are the important components of single PV systems such as inverters, micro-inverters, converters, power optimizers, monitoring systems, charge controllers, safety switches, mounting structures, trackers, cabling; measurements and testing of performance and reliability. Work which focuses on how a system interacts with the grid is dealt with in subtopic 5.1.

4.3    Operation, Performance and Maintenance of PV Systems

This subtopic focuses on maximizing the performance, reliability, and lifetime of PV systems. It covers contributions and studies on advanced strategies for operation and maintenance (O&M), including monitoring, innovative field inspection techniques, failure analysis, predictive/preventive/corrective maintenance, and field performance assessment across diverse climates and applications, and root-cause analysis. AI techniques to support all aspects of O&M.

We welcome contributions on the application of data-driven methods and AI for fault detection and O&M optimization (beyond monitoring data), and the use of robotic and advanced and/or autonomous inspection tools. Of particular interest are studies that translate operational data into actionable strategies for improving energy yield, lifetime reliability and technical / financial bankability of PV assets (including also satellite and digital twin-based monitoring, linking degradation diagnosis to maintenance economics and operational safety). Work which focuses on how a system interacts with the grid is dealt with in subtopic 5.1.

4.4    PV and Buildings

Design, and architectural aspects of BIPV and BAPV; zero energy buildings; PV products for buildings; building, environment, safety and other regulatory aspects.

This subtopic will collect all contributions describing how PV systems are placed on or are integrated into buildings, covering both functional and aesthetic aspects. All types of buildings are considered - residential, office, commercial, and industrial. Related ancillary equipment is also considered and how the whole system is integrated and performs, e.g., electric and thermal performance, heat pumps, integrated mounting structures, balcony PV, multi-functionality (including testing and regulatory aspects).

4.5    Agri-PV

Design solutions, implementation and performance of PV in combined use with agriculture (Agri-PV) and in nature (‘Eco-PV’).

This subtopic will collect all contributions describing how PV systems are combined with agriculture, and in nature and the environment which surrounds us, including ecological impacts. The synergies between the PV system and the agricultural system are aspects of importance. These are electrical energy productions, impacts on agricultural production (both qualitatively and quantitatively), overall economic value, environmental impact, ecosystem-service, etc. Examples include spectral management and crop-physiology-aware PV systems; crop quality (not only yield) parameters; multi-year pilot results in real agricultural settings; AI-driven dynamic shading strategies.

4.6    Other PV Applications (floating, infrastructure, etc.); CPV; PV in Space

Design solutions, implementation and performance of PV in/on transport infrastructure, on water (floating PV); Vehicle integrated PV (VIPV); Indoor PV. Concentrator PV (CPV); Thermophotovoltaic energy conversion (TPV). Space applications of PV.

This subtopic covers floating PV (inland or in open water) and collects all contributions describing how PV systems are placed on or are integrated into infrastructure (e.g., linear PV on roads, railways, carparks).
Design and measurement of concentrator solar cells, assemblies and CPV modules, and optical systems, mounting structures and trackers, are included in this subtopic.
Space applications of PV are included in this subtopic, covering cell technologies and complete systems. The field of photovoltaics for space is constantly evolving and innovating to meet the challenges and opportunities of the fast-growing space economy, and abstracts related to III-V cell technology developed predominantly for space applications, but also silicon and other cell/array level technologies for space applications, should be submitted to this subtopic.

4.7    Hybrid Systems and Storage; Direct uses of PV Generated Electricity

Hybrid systems (e.g., various combinations of PV, wind or other renewables, storage, and use of heat, e.g., heat pumps). Such hybrid systems that creatively integrate PV with other renewable sources as well as storage can help address issues such as dispatchability, curtailment etc. This subtopic also includes the technology and engineering of storage systems and their integration, and the direct uses of PV generated electricity, e.g., desalination, P2X (solar fuels and green Hydrogen).

This subtopic is the home for work that bridges photovoltaics, electrochemistry, and other storage solutions shifting and stabilizing PV power output on different timescales. Strategies, solutions, and recent achievements for integrating and interfacing PV with storage, enabling flexible use of PV energy, and smoother grid integration of new PV installations. Storage integrated locally in a PV system is included here when the novelty is in the storage aspects and the integration with the PV system. Industrial applications in which PV generated electricity is converted directly into a useful product or service, including conversion of PV electricity into other energy carriers are also included here, e.g., PV-to-gas/fuels including hydrogen production (P2X); Water desalination, sterilization and upgrading; PV process heat/industrial processes.
The technology and engineering aspects of storage systems are covered in this subtopic, but their use in guaranteeing flexibility in the wider energy system is covered in subtopic 5.1.