Technical Program

Area 1: Fundamentals and New Concepts for Future Technologies

Chair:              Seth Hubbard, Rochester Institute of Technology, USA
Co-Chairs:      Gavin Connibeer, University of New South Wales, Australia
                        Antonio Marti, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain
Peichen Yu, National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
                       
Area Description
Paradigm shifts in solar cell technology are invariably preceded by breakthroughs arising from basic scientific research. In recent years, there have been a number of exciting results in the fundamental arena, including the demonstration of two-photon absorption processes in nanostructured solar cell devices, and sophisticated optical management designs resulting in world record single-junction and dual-junction cell efficiencies. Area 1 comprises fundamental research and novel device concepts that will provide a platform for the development of future photovoltaic technologies. Papers are sought describing research in basic physical, chemical and optical phenomena, in addition to studies of new materials and innovative device designs. Subjects of particular interest include, but are not limited to, nanostructures, hybrid organic-inorganic devices, advanced optical management approaches, new materials and synthesis processes, and unconventional conversion mechanisms.

Sub-Area 1.1: Fundamental Conversion Mechanisms
Sub-Area Chair:          Louise Hirst (Naval Research Laboratory)
Sub-Area 1.1 captures both experimental and theoretical work exploring new paradigms for solar energy conversion. Papers submitted to this sub-area would explore the fundamental physics or present initial experimental demonstrations related to novel energy conversion mechanisms. Papers on modeling and simulation of new device architectures to enable these conversion mechanisms are also encouraged. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, non-conventional PV conversion processes based on quantum confined or nanostructured systems, engineered band alignments, intermediate band concepts, multiple exciton generation (MEG), thermophotonics or hot-carrier effects. Also of interest are concepts and demonstration of new materials and material science related to energy conversion. Finally, cross cutting science approaches involving novel physics, innovative device structures, and modeling and simulation are solicited.

Sub-Area 1.2: Quantum-well, Wire, and Dot-Architectured Devices
Sub-Area Chair:          Christopher Bailey (Old Dominion University)
Sub-Area 1.2 focuses on the bandgap engineering of photovoltaic devices via the inclusion of quantum structures, and the science involved in the photogeneration, recombination and carrier transport mechanisms in these devices. This is a particularly exciting time in this technical area as these novel architectures are at the cutting edge of photovoltaic research. Such device designs offer a multitude of realistic technological paths to attaining solar cells with efficiency in excess of 50%. To continue the momentum in the field, papers are sought on both the theoretical and experimental progress in the development of quantum-structured materials and devices. Submissions including novel designs, new material compositions, implementation of new uses of quantum confinement, and the exploitation of varying dimensionality of confinement are encouraged. Ideal submissions will range from studies of fundamental physics to examples of working devices.

Sub-Area 1.3: Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Solar Cells (Joint between Topic Areas 1 & 6)
Sub-Area Chair:          Gergely Zimanyi (University of California Davis)
Joint Sub-Areas 1.3 and 6.3 cover progress on the development of hybrid solar cells based on the combination of multiple novel materials, such as organic semiconductors, colloidal nanomaterials (nanocrystal quantum dot, nanorod, nanowires, nanotubes) or concepts from sensitized solar cells*. This class of devices is rooted in nanostructured TiO2 or ZnO integrated with conjugated polymers (P3HT), but is rapidly expanding to include many other organic and inorganic materials including single and polycrystalline Si and GaAs, organic small molecules, nanostructured carbon allotropes such as carbon nanotubes and graphene, as well as colloidal nanostructures including quantum wires, rods, and dots.  Hybrid solar cells are designed to exploit the unique interfacial electronic properties at the organic-inorganic boundary.  Papers are sought that leverage the unique electronic and optical properties and functionality afforded by integrating organic and inorganic materials, and that utilize quantum confined nanostructures to enhance charge transport and fine-tune the spectral sensitivity range.
(*)Submit your abstract under the area that best matches the nature of your investigation

Sub-Area 1.4: Advanced Light Management and Spectral Shaping
Sub-Area Chair:          Jeremy Munday (University of Maryland)
In order to achieve high power conversion efficiency, a solar cell must effectively utilize most of the incident solar spectrum. This process involves the efficient coupling of the incident light into the solar cell with minimum loss and the most effective use of the energy imparted by each photon. This sub-area will focus on novel concepts for advanced anti-reflection coatings, spectrum splitting, textured light trapping surfaces, luminescent (fluorescence) and nano-scale concentrator systems, and advanced photonic and plasmonic structures. With respect to plasmonics, both light trapping and hot carrier effects will be considered. In addition, ways to modify the spectrum of the incident sunlight using techniques such as up and down conversion either in planar layers or in waveguide structures will be considered. Papers submitted to this sub-area should address one or more of these themes and may be theoretical or experimental in nature.

Sub-Area 1.5: Novel Material Systems
Sub-Area Chair:          Ian Sellers (University of Oklahoma)
Sub-Area 1.5 covers progress on the development of novel inorganic materials and processing techniques for improving the performance, functionality, reliability, and scalability of PV devices. Such materials, combinations, and processes may find application in single-crystalline, thin film, multijunction, and nanostructured PV devices or may enable an entirely new device class on their own. Papers are sought that describe theoretical and/or experimental development of materials displaying novel properties, including but not limited to semiconductors, substrates, coatings, barriers, transparent conductive oxides (TCOs), pseudomorphic and metamorphic photovoltaic materials. Developments in the field of graphene and carbon nanotubes are of interest in this sub-area. Advances in growth, synthesis, deposition, doping and passivation schemes as well as new architectures that have the potential to lower material quality constraints are also solicited.

Sub-Area 1.6: Approaches for Low-Cost III-V Based PV Technologies: Alternative Substrates, Low-Cost Epitaxy, and Bonding (Joint between Topic Areas 1, 3, 4 & 7)
Sub-Area Chair:          Tyler Grassman (Ohio State University)
This sub-area is being jointly sponsored between Areas 1, 3, 4 and 7.* Topics of interest are broadly defined as technologies and approaches related to the achievement of low-cost III-V materials and solar cells, including the use of alternative substrates, low-cost growth/deposition methods, and bonding. Papers are solicited on the growth of crystalline and poly-crystalline III-V materials on alternative substrates (i.e. not single-crystal Ge or III-V), such as Si, engineered metal foils, and polycrystalline templates. The related topics of interface and defect characterization, as well as defect reduction, in highly mismatched and heterovalent epitaxial growth are of interest. Additionally, new cell designs and architectures for III-V materials on alternate substrates, such as active Si ("Si-plus"), are targeted for this sub-area. Papers are also sought on low-cost III-V growth/deposition techniques, such as HVPE and ultra-high-rate OMVPE/MOCVD. Papers on wafer/epilayer bonding approaches are also solicited.
(*)Submit your abstract under the area that best matches the nature of your investigation

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Area 2: Chalcogenide Thin Film Solar Cells

Chair:              Sylvain Marsillac, Old Dominion University, USA
Co-Chairs:      Lorelle Mansfield, NREL, USA
            Charlotte Platzer-Björkman, Uppsala University, Sweden
                        Takashi Minemoto, Ritsumeikan University, Japan

Area description
Area 2 of the 43rd IEEE PVSC continues a long tradition of meetings that focus on the science and technology of thin film solar cells based on chalcogenide materials. We invite contributions discussing solar cells based on Cu(InGa)Se2, Cu2ZnSn(Se)4, CdTe, and related materials. These materials include the highest efficiency thin film solar cells, now over 21%. The aim of Area 2 is to provide a platform for presenting recent and on-going research leading to improved understanding of materials and devices, exploring new directions for more efficient production, and narrowing the gap between cell and module efficiencies. Topics range from novel insights into the basic material science, study of device properties and new device structures, and discussion of the progress in deposition methods and growth control, including issues associated with reliability. We are looking forward to an exciting conference with fruitful discussions.

Sub-Area 2.1: Absorber Preparation and Material Properties
Sub-Area Chairs:         Alex Redinger (University of Luxembourg)
Mike Scarpulla (University of Utah)
Subarea 2.1 addresses progress in understanding the nature of chalcogenide thin film formation and the influence of processing on basic material properties and device performance. Relevant aspects include: morphology, microstructure, opto-electronic and transport properties, influence of substrate, phase contents, compositional gradients and homogeneity, the effect of material purity/contaminants, how these are interrelated and affected by the deposition process itself, and what their impact on PV performance is. An important topic is the effect of the deposition process on the surface/interface formation with respect to the PV device. Furthermore, the development of growth models and numerical simulations of individual material aspects are of high relevance for this subarea.

Sub-Area 2.2: Contacts, Buffers, Substrates and Interfaces
Sub-Area Chairs:         Timothy Gessert (NREL)
Vikash Ranjan (NSG)
In the chalcogenide technologies, the composition and processing of the buffers and back contacts have significant effects on the device properties. Submissions describing advances in understanding the function of buffer layers and contacts and their impact on device performance and stability, as well as novel materials and processing are welcome. Progress in understanding the fundamental properties of these materials is encouraged. We also solicit papers on progress in the cross cutting areas of transparent conductors as windows and moisture barriers and of new or improved substrates.

Sub-Area 2.3: Device Characterization and Modeling
Sub-Area Chair:          James Sites, (Colorado State University)
Subarea 2.3 addresses the device operation and defect characterization of chalcogenide solar cells.  Contributions may focus on: measurement and analysis that elucidate device operation, one-, two- and three-dimensional modeling that gives guidance for further experimental exploration and performance improvement, defect characterization and influence from defects on device properties.

Sub-Area 2.4: Manufacturing Progress
Sub-Area Chair:          William N. Shafarman (IEC)
In Subarea 2.4, we solicit contributions addressing module manufacturability.  Emphasis is on the importance of cost and reliability (in addition to performance) as key drivers for developing a viable, thin-film module manufacturing capability.  We encourage the community to share their experience and knowledge in areas focused on reducing the cost/watt of PV modules including higher throughput/yield and more energy and cost-effective processing, improvements in thin-film uniformity, improved cell integration and module architectures, important quality control metrology/diagnostics and information management applied during semiconductor deposition, integration, packaging, and reliability testing.  Papers are also sought in the area of cell and module reliability, in particular field and laboratory-test procedures and results, qualification testing, degradation mechanisms, and transient behavior.

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Area 3: CPV

Area Chair:     Daniel Derkacs, SolAero, USA
Co-Chairs:      Jim Foresi, Suncore, China
Scott Burroughs, Semprius, USA

Area Description
Area 3 primarily focuses on the science, engineering, performance, cost, and reliability of concentrator photovoltaic systems (CPV) ranging from high concentration (>300 suns) to low concentration (>1 sun). III-V multijunction solar cells have been the basis for terrestrial high-concentration photovoltaic systems and papers that address all aspects of cell design are welcome. Papers addressing the cost of III-V devices and work being done to reduce cost while maintaining performance are particularly welcome. Area 3 also covers CPV system development including primary and secondary optical design, solar cell receivers, module components, trackers, modules. Low and medium concentrator systems that employ high efficiency silicon solar cells are also covered in Area 3. A joint session will be held on PV designed for UAVs and other portable applications. This is in response to a host of companies that have announced plans to provide internet via continuous flight solar powered UAVs and/or dirigibles. A second joint session will be held on low cost III-V, mixed III-V on silicon, and other low-cost alternative substrate architectures for terrestrial, CPV, satellite, or UAV applications. Finally, a joint session on the characterization of III-V or other single crystalline photovoltaic materials and devices will be hosted.

Sub-Area 3.1: Solar Cells – modeling, epitaxial growth, materials, wafer bonding, coatings, processing, performance, reliability
Sub-Area Chair:          Myles Steiner (NREL)
Taner Bilir (Solar Junction)
This sub-area covers all aspects of the development of III-V multi-junction solar cells for terrestrial applications. This includes (but is not limited to): epitaxial growth, theoretical modeling, material development, solar cell architectures, photon management, new manufacturing technologies, device processing, wafer bonding, processing, characterization, and reliability.

Sub-Area 3.2: Lower Cost III-V Solar Cell Devices – epitaxial growth, substrate re-use, epitaxial lift-off, laser lift-off, spalling, porous Ge, etc.
Sub-Area Chair:          Brendan Keyes (Alta Devices)
                                    Ryan France (NREL)
This sub-area covers the cost of III-V devices and efforts being made to reduce the cost of power generated by III-V devices. Topics include novel device designs, alternative growth substrates and templates, lower cost growth and deposition, processing, testing, and integration technologies, and any other efforts being made to reduce the cost of III-V devices while maintaining device performance.

Sub-Area 3.3: High Concentration Systems – solar cells, receivers, optics, modules, systems, performance modeling, LCOE, reliability
Sub-Area Chairs:         Marc Steiner (Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE)
Steve Askins (Universidad Politecnica de Madrid)
This sub-area covers all research and development aspects of high-concentration (> 300 suns) photovoltaic modules and systems. Papers are expected in the field of CPV modules, primary and secondary optics, system components, solar cell receivers, trackers, power plants, power rating, reliability, bankability, cost prediction, project development and financing, as well as aspects of grid integration and storage. Combined heat and power systems and new applications of CPV in buildings, rural electrification or for the production of hydrogen are welcome. Reliability is an important aspect for this emerging industry as well as market development, financing, power prediction, industry standards, balance of systems (BOS) and installation-related issues. In addition, innovative designs that enable at least partial operation on cloudy days and/or include some storage capability are solicited. 

Sub-Area 3.4: Low and medium concentration PV – Si concentrator cells, III-V solar cells, receivers, optics, modules, systems, performance modeling, LCOE, reliability
Sub-Area Chair:          Simone Missirian (Space Systems Loral)
This sub-area covers both the engineering of solar cells (Si, III-V, or other) for applications in the 2-300x range, as well as all aspects of the module and system components. One-axis tracking is sufficient for many low concentration CPV systems. Improvements and/or reports on promising alternative approaches are also welcome. The challenge is to find configurations which lead to cost reduction compared to conventional flat-plate PV. In addition, innovative designs that enable at least partial operation on cloudy days and/or include some storage capability are solicited. 

Sub-Area 3.5: Optical Designs and Concepts
Sub-Area Chair:          Ralf Leutz (Leutz Optics and Illumination UG)
This sub-area covers optical elements for CPV. The design and implementation of the optical design of a CPV module will have a large effect on the module standard-conditions efficiency and performance in the field. This sub-area will include studies of the material properties of optical elements as well as the designs and characterization. Topics that may be covered include soiling, other reliability topics, innovative designs, and methods for characterizing the performance of the optical portion of the module.

Sub-Area 3.6: Mobile Solar Power/ High Efficiency Flexible lightweight PV for UAVs (Joint between Topic Areas 3, 7 and 8)
Sub-Area Chairs:         Rao Tatavarti (Microlink)
Daniel Derkacs (SolAero)
Brendan Keyes (Alta Devices)
Simone Missirian  (Space Systems Loral)
Sub-Area 3.6 is shared* between Areas 3, 7 and 8 and covers progress on the development of Mobile Solar Power (MSP) systems and applications.*  The MSP system development includes high efficiency, flexible and lightweight solar cells, and sheets.  Papers are sought that describe the development of cell technologies and thin cell fabrication including epitaxial growth, fabrication and testing are solicited.  Papers covering developments of flexible solar sheet fabrication methods, studies on improvement of sheet durability; ruggedness and overall efficiency are invited.  Papers discussing cost reduction technologies for both cell production and cell integration are encouraged. Developments of systems applications of photovoltaic sheets such as battery charging, portable power, powering flexible electronics and solar UAV covering both the commercial and deployed soldier power application are of interest in this sub-area.
(*)Submit your abstract under the area that best matches the nature of your investigation.

Sub-Area 3.7: Approaches for Low-Cost III-V Based PV Technologies: Alternative Substrates, Low-Cost Epitaxy, and Bonding (Joint between Topic Areas 1, 3, 4 & 7)
Sub-Area Chair:          Tyler Grassman (Ohio State University)
This sub-area is being jointly sponsored between Areas 1, 3, 4 and 7.* Topics of interest are broadly defined as technologies and approaches related to the achievement of low-cost III-V materials and solar cells, including the use of alternative substrates, low-cost growth/deposition methods, and bonding. Papers are solicited on the growth of crystalline and poly-crystalline III-V materials on alternative substrates (i.e. not single-crystal Ge or III-V), such as Si, engineered metal foils, and polycrystalline templates. The related topics of interface and defect characterization, as well as defect reduction, in highly mismatched and heterovalent epitaxial growth are of interest. Additionally, new cell designs and architectures for III-V materials on alternate substrates, such as active Si ("Si-plus"), are targeted for this sub-area. Papers are also sought on low-cost III-V growth/deposition techniques, such as HVPE and ultra-high-rate OMVPE/MOCVD. Papers on wafer/epilayer bonding approaches are also solicited.
(*)Submit your abstract under the area that best matches the nature of your investigation

Sub-Area 3.8: Characterization of Single Crystalline PV Materials and Devices (Joint between Topic Areas 3 and 5)
Sub-Area Chair:          Henner Kampwerth (Univ. of New South Wales)
This sub-area is being jointly sponsored between Areas 3 and 5.* Papers focusing on characterization of materials and devices where the III-V single crystalline nature of the material is paramount to device performance should be submitted here. Characterization of large grain multi-crystalline and polycrystalline III-V materials and devices also belongs in this area as the crystals are so large as to typically be effectively single crystals.
(*)Submit your abstract under the area that best matches the nature of your investigation.

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Area 4: Silicon Photovoltaic Materials and Devices

Chair:              Mariana Bertoni, Arizona State University, USA
Co-Chairs:      Giso Hahn, University of Konstanz
Sergiu Pop, Yingli, China

Area Description
Silicon is the dominating solar cell technology with a market share of around 90%. Silicon is non-toxic and abundantly available in the earth’s crust and silicon PV modules have shown their long-term stability over decades of testing on the field. The price reduction of silicon modules in the last 30 years can be described very well by a learning factor of 20% and this positive trend continues to go on. Due to the strong competition, module prices have seen a strong decline in the last years falling well below $1/Wp. This is an excellent situation for customers and PV installers but recently it has been rather challenging for producers of silicon solar cells and modules. The cost distribution of a crystalline silicon PV modules is clearly dominated by material costs, especially by the costs of the silicon wafer. During the last couple of years the wafer cost has gone down dramatically enabling novel cell architectures and propelling high efficiency devices. Area 4 invites contributions reporting on all aspects of standard silicon technology and film silicon, from fundamentals and device physics to processing and module integration.

Sub-Area 4.1:  Silicon Material: Technology and Analysis
Sub-Area Chairs:         Gianluca Coletti  (ECN)
Nathan Stoddard (SolarWorld Americas)
This sub-area covers the first part of the value chain from feedstock through crystallization to wafering, including kerf-less technologies. Additionally, abstracts addressing the mechanical and electrical characteristics of the resulting wafers, including material quality, defects and defect engineering steps (e.g. gettering) of the silicon material are welcome.

Sub-Area 4.2:  Junction Formation
Sub-Area Chairs:         Brett Hallam (UNSW)
Stefan Glunz (Fraunhofer ISE)
The formation of p-n and high-low junctions are fundamental steps of the silicon solar cell process. This sub-area covers all the different technologies that enable junction formation like gas phase diffusion, heterojunction and passivated contact approaches, laser and thermally activated doping from deposited films and/or implantation. A special focus is set on structured doping needed for advanced cell structures like back-junction solar cells and passivated contact technologies.

Sub-Area 4.3:  Surface Passivation and Light-trapping
Sub-Area Chairs:          Ziv Hameri (UNSW)
With increasing quality of the silicon material, the surfaces of the solar cells are becoming more and more important. This sub-area welcomes abstracts covering all aspects of surface passivation like dielectric layers, organic/inorganic interfaces, surface cleaning and passivation mechanisms. Another important aspect related to the surfaces of silicon solar cells is improved light-trapping. This sub-area also welcomes submissions addressing enhanced photon absorption by classical, diffractive and plasmonic mechanisms.

Sub-Area 4.4: Contact Formation and Module Integration
Sub-Area Chair:          Radovan Kopecek (ISC Germany)
Hartmut Nussbaumer (ZHAW)
The final step of cell processing is the formation of contacts. This sub-area welcomes manuscripts covering all current and novel techniques for contact formation, including but not limited to printed metallization, plating, evaporation, conductive adhesives, soldering, laser and thermal alloying of metals, and transparent electrodes. The contacts are also the interface to the subsequent module integration. Therefore topics like mechanical adhesion, multi-wire technologies and the interconnection of advanced cell structures like back-contact cells are also addressed in this sub-area.

Sub-Area 4.5:  Device Physics and Analysis
Sub-Area Chair:          Keith McIntosh (PV Lighthouse)
Bonna Newman (ECN)
The development of advanced solar cell architectures requires an in-depth understanding of the underlying device physics. This sub-area covers aspects like device characterization and numerical simulation as well as the analysis of novel cell concepts.
 
 Sub-Area 4.6:  Film Silicon Material Growth and Devices
Sub-Area Chair:          Arno Smets (Delft University of Technology)
Zachary Holman (Arizona State University)
Thin-film silicon covers a class of materials that ranges from amorphous silicon and its group-IV alloys, over nano- and microcrystalline silicon, silicon-oxides and -carbides, to thin-films of crystalline silicon. Research and development in this active area addresses fundamental concepts of material quality, recent insight into light induced degradation, and passivation of internal interfaces and heterojunctions.
 
Sub-Area 4.7: Approaches for Low-Cost III-V Based PV Technologies: Alternative Substrates, Low-Cost Epitaxy, and Bonding (Joint between Topic Areas 1, 3, 4 & 7)
Sub-Area Chair:          Tyler Grassman (Ohio State University)
This sub-area is being jointly sponsored between Areas 1, 3, 4 and 7.* Topics of interest are broadly defined as technologies and approaches related to the achievement of low-cost III-V materials and solar cells, including the use of alternative substrates, low-cost growth/deposition methods, and bonding. Papers are solicited on the growth of crystalline and poly-crystalline III-V materials on alternative substrates (i.e. not single-crystal Ge or III-V), such as Si, engineered metal foils, and polycrystalline templates. The related topics of interface and defect characterization, as well as defect reduction, in highly mismatched and heterovalent epitaxial growth are of interest. Additionally, new cell designs and architectures for III-V materials on alternate substrates, such as active Si ("Si-plus"), are targeted for this sub-area. Papers are also sought on low-cost III-V growth/deposition techniques, such as HVPE and ultra-high-rate OMVPE/MOCVD. Papers on wafer/epilayer bonding approaches are also solicited.

(*) Submit your abstract under the area that best matches the nature of your investigation

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Area 5: Characterization Methods

Chair:             Marina Leite, University of Maryland, USA
Co-Chairs:      Thomas Unold, Helmholtz-Zentrum, Berlin, Germany
                        Yoshihiro Hishikawa, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan
 
Area Description
The comprehensive understanding of how and why photovoltaic devices operate requires material and device characterization, ranging from measurements of the optoelectronic response of emerging and well-established materials to the role of defects on overall device performance and the characterization of PV modules. Area 5 focuses on novel characterization techniques, in situ monitoring of materials and devices, the relationship between structural and optoelectronic properties of materials in operating devices, and the characterization of PV modules. Joint sessions are planned with other areas for papers that are heavily characterization focused but with application to one area of technology.
Measurements are needed at all levels of R&D and production – from investigating the operating principles of solar cells to developing standards for the performance of installed photovoltaic (PV) systems. The relationship between structure, physical properties, and the resulting PV performance is fundamental to engineering PV materials with improved performance. Reliable and precise determination of the efficiency and thus power of solar cells and PV modules is crucial for the successful widespread deployment of PV and an ongoing challenge for flat-plate and concentrator PV technologies. We strongly encourage members of the PV community to submit their contributions addressing the full range of scientific and technological challenges in the field of characterization, including the following topics:
 
Sub-Area 5.1: New Methods and Instruments for the Characterization of Solar Cell Materials
Sub-Area Chair:          Nancy Haegel (NREL)
This sub-area is intended to showcase the application of techniques for characterization of PV materials and to demonstrate their capabilities. Papers submitted to this sub-area should be science or technology focused with strong technical content, rather than advertisements. Papers are sought that either present new characterization tools or that provide an overview and update on the state-of-the-art application of a particular technique or type of instrumentation. Papers should demonstrate the capabilities of the instrumentation, describe its operating principles, and/or relate how the technique extends existing measurement limitations.
 
Sub-Area 5.2: Optical and Electrical Characterization Techniques for PV
Sub-Area Chair:        Sascha Sadewasser (INL)
Marina Leite (Univ. of Maryland)
Papers describing any aspect of the optical and/or electrical response of PV materials and full devices are welcome in the Sub-Area, including the application of scanning probe and scanning electron microscopies, and other imaging methods for the analysis of defects, surface passivation, carrier recombination, light trapping effects, etc., on the overall device performance. For this Sub-Area, papers focusing on the technique rather than the material aspects are strongly encouraged.
 
Sub-Area 5.3: Characterization of Polycrystalline or Amorphous Thin Film PV
Sub-Area Chair:          Talia Gershon (IBM)
Thomas Unold (HZB)
Sub-Area 5.3 focuses on the characterization of polycrystalline or amorphous thin film PV, with emphasis on their structure, properties, and how these relate to processing and performance, with a focus on the materials. The discussion of both well-established (such as chalcogenides) and emerging materials (such as earth abundant materials) is equally welcome.
 
Sub-Area 5.4: Characterization of Single Crystalline PV Materials and Devices (Joint between Topic Areas 3 and 5)
Sub-Area Chair:          Henner Kampwerth (Univ. of New South Wales)
This sub-area is being jointly sponsored between Areas 3 and 5.* Papers focusing on characterization of materials and devices where the III-V single crystalline nature of the material is paramount to device performance should be submitted here. Characterization of large grain multi-crystalline and polycrystalline III-V materials and devices also belongs in this area as the crystals are so large as to typically be effectively single crystals.
(*) Submit your abstract under the area that best matches the nature of your investigation.
 
Sub-Area 5.5: Characterization of Perovskite Solar Cells and Materials (Joint between Topic Areas 5 and 6)
Sub-Area Chair:          Marina Leite (Univ. of Maryland)
The rapid progress of perovskite solar cells in the last years resulted in high efficiency devices; however, we are far from achieving complete understanding of why the material achieves near-perfect optoelectronic properties as initially grown, but is often unable to retain those near-perfect properties when exposed to light or atmospheres with oxygen/water. This Sub-Area encourages the submission of papers discussing the characterization and analysis of perovskite solar cells, including the development of measurement techniques to probe its optoelectronic properties and their relationship to chemical structure. Characterization techniques that elucidate the degradation mechanisms are of particular interest. The understanding of what makes perovskites so easily achieve near-perfect properties as well as the chemical composition changes and how they affect the optoelectronic response of the devices is required for the rational design of stable perovskite solar cells.

Sub-Area 5.6: In-situ Monitoring and Processing Control    
Sub-Area Chair:          Yoshihiro Hishikawa (AIST)
This sub-area is intended for papers describing how to monitor PV materials during the deposition or growth steps, and devices under operational voltage or light bias conditions and during manufacturing. Papers are sought that describe measurement techniques and/or data analysis methods that are particularly suited for determining material properties and for identifying manufacturing process excursions or that provide other manufacturing-related benefits.
 
Sub-Area 5.7: Performance Testing and Standards
Sub-Area Chair:          Bruce King (Sandia National Lab)
Greg Kimball (SunEdison)
A key component of characterization, especially of modules and systems, is testing standards. This sub-area is intended for submissions related to standard approaches to characterization. For example, standards for light flux measurement, calibration methods for simulators, testing temperatures, and other fundamental parameters of characterizations could be submitted here.
 
Sub-Area 5.8:  Characterization Techniques for PV Modules and Systems (Joint between Topic Areas 5 and 8)
Sub-Area Chair:          Keith Emery (NREL)
Greg Kimball (SunEdison)
Papers focusing on characterization of complete modules and systems where the nature of the device is dominated by the ensemble of microscopic behaviors distributed throughout a large area rather than the understanding of individual microscopic behaviors. For example, papers in this sub-area could focus on methods such as LBIC or electroluminescence specifically as applied to understanding module performance rather than the same methods applied to small areas of device. Other examples of papers relevant to this area include adaptation of existing methods to characterize modules from emerging technologies such as perovskites or addressing the characterization of degradation mechanisms of modules or systems of those materials. Papers focusing on the development of novel methods or systems, such as solar simulators, module reliability characterization methods, and accelerated lifetime testing methods should be submitted here. In this case the focus should be on the technique rather than the application. Papers focusing primarily on the characterization technique or standard method for applying it should be submitted to sub-areas 5.5 or 5.7, respectively.  Papers describing methods for extracting model parameters from measurements should be submitted to sub-area 8.3.

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Area 6: Perovskite and Organic Solar Cells

Chair:              Joey Luther, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S.A.
Co-Chairs:      Nam Gyu Park, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Korea
                       
Area Description
This focus area covers the latest scientific and technical progress of both perovskite and organic solar cells. These photovoltaic (PV) technologies have shown incredible recent progress and are being very actively investigated within the research community. Solution-processed perovskite solar cell efficiencies have rocketed to >20% with just a few years of research. This kind of solar cell is a prime example of interdisciplinary research drawing together expertise from chemistry, materials, physics, and engineering. Based on abundant materials and scalable coating technologies, these emerging PV technologies show potential for low-cost, lightweight, and flexible solar power generation and will soon have to prove its viability in the market with an acceptable combination of efficiency, stability, and in some cases environmental benignity at scale.
Many of the underlying physical processes are still being explored and this helps pave the path forward for uncovering the true potential of these emerging technologies. The goal of this focus area is to address issues ranging from fundamental science to technological advances and challenges associated with manufacturable scaling in the highly interdisciplinary sub-areas outlined below. Furthermore, Area 6 will offer a unique possibility to strengthen interactions and integration between researchers from these emerging PV technologies and the greater PV community, something everyone will benefit from.

Sub-Area 6.1: Perovskite Solar Cells
Sub-Area Chair:          Joey Luther (NREL)
Sub-Area 6.1 covers the latest developments in organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite based solar cells. The rapid progress in this material class for solar cells has come as a surprise to many; power conversion efficiencies of perovskite solar cells are already comparable to those of established thin film technologies. The materials are highly tunable, making them attractive for a range of applications including building-integrated PV and tandem solar cells. This subarea focuses on the tunability offered by substitution of elements, which may enable better performance, new device architectures, and advanced processing steps. We invite contributions from the broad range of topics relating to organic-inorganic and perovskite-based PV.

Sub-Area 6.2: Organic Solar Cells
Sub-Area Chair:          Nikos Kopidakis (NREL)
Sub-Area 6.2 focuses on organic solar cells. Concurrent efforts in novel materials and device architectures have led to efficiencies above 10% in recent years. A better understanding of how the molecular structure influences the optoelectronic properties of solar cells is often considered as key for the targeted synthesis of high performance absorber molecules. Additionally, optimal device design requires insight into the processes of free charge carrier generation, recombination and extraction as well as modeling of opto-electronic device properties. Great strides in device stability have also been demonstrated and guidelines for designing stable absorbers and contacts are being sought. Finally, the processing science of organic solar cells, with emphasis on scalable deposition methods, is important for the development of robust manufacturing methodologies. Therefore, this sub-area welcomes a broad range of submissions from first principles design and synthesis of new donor and acceptor materials, methods of how to influence and characterize their microstructure in thin films to device optimization, stability and scalability.

Sub-Area 6.3: Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Solar Cells (Joint Topic Areas 1 & 6)
Sub-Area Chair:          Gergely Zimanyi (University of California Davis)
Joint Sub-Areas 1.3 and 6.3 cover progress on the development of hybrid solar cells based on the combination of multiple novel materials, such as organic semiconductors, colloidal nanomaterials (nanocrystal quantum dot, nanorod, nanowires, nanotubes) or concepts from sensitized solar cells*. This class of devices is rooted in nanostructured TiO2 or ZnO integrated with conjugated polymers (P3HT), but is rapidly expanding to include many other organic and inorganic materials including single and polycrystalline Si and GaAs, organic small molecules, nanostructured carbon allotropes such as carbon nanotubes and graphene, as well as colloidal nanostructures including quantum wires, rods, and dots.  Hybrid solar cells are designed to exploit the unique interfacial electronic properties at the organic-inorganic boundary.  Papers are sought which leverage the unique electronic and optical properties and functionality afforded by integrating organic and inorganic materials, and those which utilize quantum confined nanostructures to enhance charge transport and fine-tune the spectral sensitivity range.
(*)Submit your abstract under the area that best matches the nature of your investigation

Sub-Area 6.4: Device Stability
Sub-Area Chair:          Qijie Guo (Dupont Corporation)
PV technologies of sub-areas 6.1-6.3 have shown very encouraging efficiencies and accelerated lifetime testing shows the potential of lifetimes of more than 10 years. However, this is still far away from the targeted 25 years that conventional silicon PV guarantees. On the one hand, the understanding of the various degradation pathways has to be improved. On the other hand, a major challenge is reliably predicting solar cell and module operating lifetimes for the constantly changing materials sets and stack designs being investigated. Sub-Area 6.4 invites contributions on operating lifetime studies and concepts to improve the device stability, from more stable materials to high quality encapsulation.

Sub-Area 6.5: Scale-Up and Applications
Sub-Area Chair:          Nam Gyu Park (SKKU)
It is clear that on the way to large-scale production, correspondingly large-scale synthesis based on abundant materials and fast coating processes need to be developed. With the first real production systems in the final development phase, markets like building integrated PV and mobile energy are likely to be targeted first. Given the unique form factors, there are many more applications for these novel PV technologies, especially in areas where conventional PV reaches its limits. Sub-Area 6.5 deals with the challenges of scaling up their production and ways to access an affordable terawatt capacity that the technology should allow for. This sub-area has potential overlap with Area 8 on PV Modules and Manufacturing. Depending on the number and nature of submitted abstracts, a joint session will be considered.

Sub-Area 6.6: Characterization of Perovskite Solar Cells and Materials (Joint between Topic Areas 5 and 6)
Sub-Area Chair:          Marina Leite (Univ. of Maryland)
The rapid progress of perovskite solar cells in the last years resulted in high efficiency devices; however, we are far from achieving complete understanding of why the material achieves near-perfect optoelectronic properties as initially grown, but is often unable to retain those near-perfect properties when exposed to light or atmospheres with oxygen/water. This Sub-Area encourages the submission of papers discussing the characterization and analysis of perovskite solar cells, including the development of measurement techniques to probe its optoelectronic properties and their relationship to chemical structure. Characterization techniques that elucidate the degradation mechanisms are of particular interest. The understanding of what makes perovskites so easily achieve near-perfect properties as well as the chemical composition changes and how they affect the optoelectronic response of the devices is required for the rational design of stable perovskite solar cells.

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Area 7: Space and Specialty Technologies

Chair:                David Wilt, Air Force Research Laboratory, USA
Co-Chairs:        Claus Zimmerman, Airbus, Germany
                            Mitsuru Imaizumi, JAXA, Japan
 
Area Description
Area 7 seeks papers related to space PV including: fundamental cell and material technologies, panel/blanket technologies, array technologies and on-orbit flight performance. In addition, there are two shared sub-areas, focused on mobile solar power and low-cost III-V technologies. Virtually all spacecraft are powered by PV generators and thus advances in space PV technologies contribute significantly to improvement of spacecraft performance. The surge in interest in Cubesat and Smallsat constellations is leading to new approaches for standardized solar panels and deployable arrays to achieve very low cost at appropriate reliability levels. Failures of space power systems are among the largest contributors of on-orbit anomalies, costing an estimated $9 billion between 1990 and 2013. The failures in space power systems are frequently due to components other than the solar cells, thus we are particularly interested in papers that cover other important space PV technologies, such as solar cell interconnects, electrostatic discharge control technologies, panel and blanket materials technologies, contamination control approaches, novel rigid and flexible planar solar array technologies as well as advances in space solar concentrator array technologies. We highly encourage contributions, particularly from students who are working in relevant research areas. We invite your papers on any subjects related to space PV described above, and look forward to your contribution!
 
Sub-Area 7.1: Advanced Solar Cells, Including Radiation Effects
Sub-Area Chairs:         Maria Gonzalez (NRL,
Wolfgang Guter (Azur Space Solar Power)
Geoff Bradshaw (AFRL)
Takeshi Ohshima (JAEA)
This sub-area focuses on novel photovoltaic device approaches and recent developments in high performance photovoltaic materials and devices for space applications. Radiation hardening technologies that enable longer on-orbit capability are also sought. Papers on characterization and modeling of solar cells, including concentrator space solar cells are welcomed. Contributions dealing with the AM0 calibration of solar cells also belong to this area. Papers covering both space and terrestrial solar cell development aspects will be included in a joint session with Area 3.
 
Sub-Area 7.2: Advanced Solar Panel and Blanket Technology, Including ESD Aspects
Sub-Area Chairs:         Scott Billets (LMCO)
Hiro Toyota (JAXA)
Kyle Montgomery (AFRL)
This sub-area focuses on technology developments associated with integrating space solar cells onto rigid panels and flexible blankets.  Technologies required for electrostatic discharge control and stabilization against ionizing radiation (UV, particles), development of space solar concentrator technologies, incorporating both the optical concentrating element as well as the solar cell thermal control element are included as well. Of particular interest in this area are papers dealing with the behavior of module technology under the space environment. This includes studies on individual materials relevant for space solar modules. Also of interest are papers that describe approaches to lower cost, standardized solar panels, both fixed and deployable, for Cubesats and Smallsat constellations
 
Sub-Area 7.3: Advanced Solar Arrays and Structures
Sub-Area Chairs:         Bao Hoang (Space Systems Loral)
Richard Pappa (NASA)
Paul Hodgetts (ESA)
This sub-area was introduced during last year’s PVSC42 and aims to bring together the individuals who are developing advanced solar array structures with the traditional photovoltaic technologists, in the hope that a fuller understanding of the mutual design restrictions will aid in developing higher reliability, higher performance space solar arrays for various applications such as microsatellite power range to large spacecraft with high power range, coupled with electric thrusters, for  deep-space missions. To this end, papers with a mechanical focus are explicitly encouraged in this area. Also welcome are contributions that deal with platform aspects and their interaction with the solar array.
 
Sub-Area 7.4: Flight Experience and Reliability of Space Photovoltaic Power Systems
Sub-Area Chairs:         Phil Jenkins (NRL)
Ted Stern (Alliance Space Systems)
Carsten Baur (ESA)
This area deals with the on-orbit performance and reliability of space photovoltaic power systems and components.  An essential aspect is the results from on-orbit experimentation and operation of PV power systems and their analyses.  Reliability assessments via experimentally determined degradation behavior, e.g. due to particle irradiation or contamination, are encouraged.  Papers dealing with reliability improvements due to particular qualification approaches and test standards are welcome. Papers covering cell and power system testing using CubeSats are also encouraged.

 Sub-Area 7.5: Mobile Solar Power/ High Efficiency Flexible lightweight PV for UAVs (Joint between Topic Areas 3, 7 and 8)
Sub-Area Chairs:         Rao Tatavarti (Microlink)
Daniel Derkacs (SolAero)
Brendan Keyes (Alta Devices)
Simone Missirian  (Space Systems Loral)
This sub-area is shared* between Areas 3, 7 and 8 and covers progress on the development of Mobile Solar Power (MSP) systems and applications.*  The MSP system development includes high efficiency, flexible and lightweight solar cells, and sheets.  Papers are sought that describe the development of cell technologies and thin cell fabrication including epitaxial growth, fabrication and testing are solicited.  Papers covering developments of flexible solar sheet fabrication methods, studies on improvement of sheet durability; ruggedness and overall efficiency are invited.  Papers discussing cost reduction technologies for both cell production and cell integration are encouraged. Developments of systems applications of photovoltaic sheets such as battery charging, portable power, powering flexible electronics and solar UAV covering both the commercial and deployed soldier power application are of interest in this sub-area.
(*)Submit your abstract under the area that best matches the nature of your investigation.
 
Sub-Area 7.6: : Approaches for Low-Cost III-V Based PV Technologies: Alternative Substrates, Low-Cost Epitaxy, and Bonding (Joint between Topic Areas 1, 3, 4 and 7)
Sub-Area Chair:          Tyler Grassman (Ohio State University)
This sub-area is being jointly sponsored between Areas 1, 3, 4 and 7.* Topics of interest are broadly defined as technologies and approaches related to the achievement of low-cost III-V materials and solar cells, including the use of alternative substrates, low-cost growth/deposition methods, and bonding. Papers are solicited on the growth of crystalline and poly-crystalline III-V materials on alternative substrates (i.e. not single-crystal Ge or III-V), such as Si, engineered metal foils, and polycrystalline templates. The related topics of interface and defect characterization, as well as defect reduction, in highly mismatched and heterovalent epitaxial growth are of interest. Additionally, new cell designs and architectures for III-V materials on alternate substrates, such as active Si ("Si-plus"), are targeted for this sub-area. Papers are also sought on low-cost III-V growth/deposition techniques, such as HVPE and ultra-high-rate OMVPE/MOCVD. Papers on wafer/epilayer bonding approaches are also solicited.

(*)Submit your abstract under the area that best matches the nature of your investigation

 

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Area 8: PV Modules, Manufacturing, Systems and Applications

Chair:              Dana Olson, U.S. Department of Energy, USA
Co-Chairs:      Pierre Verlinden, Trina Solar, China USA
Ralph Gottschalg, Loughborough University, UK
                       
Area Description
The remarkable recent decrease in the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) in photovoltaic modules is largely attributed to the significant improvements in module performance, engineering, and manufacturing over recent years.  New materials and assembly technologies are being developed for PV modules and will further reduce costs and increase performance.  Additionally, customers and operators are seeking and utilizing energy yield prediction methods to reduce investment risk.  Improved energy yield estimates will reduce some of the soft costs in financing and thus further reduce LCOE.
Area 8 is seeking papers describing significant advances in PV module design and manufacturing, methods for forecasting and modeling energy yield and performance, as well as testing and system monitoring.  Additionally, we invite papers describing advancements in technology and modeling for balance-of-system components such as trackers, inverters, and power optimizers.  Finally, papers on innovative deployment and applications of PV technologies are also requested for a Joint Session on mobile power applications.
In each sub-area, the greatest interest is for papers reporting completed work that is accompanied by validation from the field, laboratory testing, or comprehensive modeling.
 
Sub-Area 8.1: Module Materials, Design, Manufacture, and Production
Sub-Area Chair:          TBD
In Sub-Area 8.1, abstracts are invited that describe new materials and methods for module production.  Of particular interest are: new materials for backsheets, encapsulants, glass, or interconnects; new techniques for module assembly to reduce cost, increase efficiency or enhance reliability; methods for materials or module characterization; and novel module electrical configurations.  In coordination with Sub-Area 9.4, we particularly welcome submissions describing state-of-art methods or new methods for module manufacturing quality control, including: quality assurance of module materials and subcomponents; statistical process control; automation of module assembly; and module quality assurance.
 
Sub-Area 8.2: Observed System Performance
Sub-Area Chair:          Lauren Ngan (First Solar)
Sub-Area 9.2 welcomes abstracts describing documentation of fielded system performance.  As solar deployment increases dramatically, there are opportunities to document the performance of large numbers of systems.  We also solicit papers that provide comparisons of different technologies or products in order to precisely quantify their performance in the field.
 
Sub-Area 8.3: Models for Energy Prediction
Sub-Area Chair:          Joshua Stein (Sandia)
Sub-area 8.3 focuses on PV module modeling and prediction of produced power.  Abstracts relating to mechanical, thermal and electrical modeling of PV modules and systems will be accepted, including methods for determining parameters for these models.  Of particular interest are abstracts describing: methods for determining model parameters from laboratory and/or outdoor characterization; models for the effect of solar spectrum on module output; and methods for estimating system losses due to module, shading, or temperature variations across PV arrays and installations as well as BOS related losses.
 
Sub-Area 8.4: System Performance Rating and Monitoring Strategies
Sub-Area Chair:          Lauren Ngan (First Solar)
Sub-Area 8.4 welcomes abstracts reporting improved techniques for system performance testing and novel methods and technologies for system monitoring during operation, and in particular, research describing novel analysis strategies to extract knowledge regarding system health and performance from available monitoring data.  We welcome abstracts describing: advances in or evaluations of methods for determination of performance metrics of plant performance; procedures for conducting commissioning and acceptance tests; and analyses describing data collection and quality assurance for such testing.  We particularly invite abstracts reporting efforts to compare and/or harmonize among the various standards for system testing.
 
Sub-Area 8.5: PV for Buildings and Novel Applications
Sub-Area Chair:          TBD
Sub-Area 8.6 welcomes abstracts describing advances related to materials, design, and manufacturing for building-integrated or building-applied PV (BIPV/BAPV) systems.  The rapid market growth in net-zero buildings encourages incentives to architects and building owners alike to find new and innovative building power solutions.  We welcome abstracts reporting new innovations, visions for future development, and advanced analyses of the cost reduction potential for building power applications.  In particular, we invite abstracts reporting advances in building design tools with integrated PV modeling functionality, as well as reports of building power system performance in the field.
In this sub-area we also welcome abstracts describing recent advances in off-grid PV systems, hybrid systems, mini/micro-grids, DC end-use systems, and other advanced applications.  We are particularly interested in results from fielded or demonstration installations, but also welcome topics covering design and engineering advances, as well as results from system simulations.  We welcome papers covering innovative use of PV in non-traditional applications.
 
Sub-Area 8.6: Mobile Solar Power/ High Efficiency Flexible lightweight PV for UAVs (Joint between Topic Areas 3, 7 and 8)
Sub-Area Chair:          Daniel Derkacs (SolAero)
Sub-Area 8.6 is a shared* sub-area between Areas 3, 7 and 8 and covers progress on the development of Mobile Solar Power (MSP) systems and high efficiency/high specific power PV for UAVs. The MSP system development includes high efficiency (>20% demonstrated), flexible and lightweight solar cells, and sheets. Papers describing advances in novel methods of thin cell fabrication including epitaxial growth, fabrication and testing are solicited. Papers covering developments of flexible solar sheet fabrication methods, studies on improvement of sheet durability; ruggedness and overall efficiency are invited. Papers discussing cost reduction technologies for both cell production and cell integration are encouraged. Developments of systems applications of photovoltaic sheets such as battery charging, portable power, powering flexible electronics and solar UAV covering both the commercial and deployed soldier power application are of interest in this sub-area.
(*)Submit your abstract under the area that best matches the nature of your investigation.
 
Sub-Area 8.7: Characterization Techniques for PV Modules and Systems (Joint between Topic Areas 5 and 8)
Sub-Area Chairs:         Keith Emery (NREL)
Greg Kimball (SunEdison)
This sub-area is being jointly sponsored between Areas 5 and 8.*  Papers focusing on characterization of complete modules and systems where the nature of the device is dominated by the ensemble of microscopic behaviors distributed throughout a large area rather than the understanding of individual microscopic behaviors.  For example, papers in this sub-area could focus on methods such as LBIC or electroluminescence specifically as applied to understanding module performance rather than the same methods applied to small areas of device.  Other examples of papers relevant to this area include adaptation of existing methods to characterize modules from emerging technologies such as perovskites or addressing the characterization of degradation mechanisms of modules or systems of those materials.  Papers focusing primarily on the characterization technique or standard method for applying it should be submitted to sub-areas 5.5 or 5.7, respectively.  Papers describing methods for extracting model parameters from measurements should be submitted to sub-area 8.3.
(*) Submit your abstract under the area that best matches the nature of your investigation.
 
Sub-Area 8.8: PV Performance Degradation Due to Soiling (Joint between Topic to Areas 8, 9 and 11)
Sub-Area Chairs:         Hassan Qasem (Dubai Electricity & Water Authority)
Mike van-Iseghem (EDF)
Soiling can be a major factor in powerplant performance.  This Sub-Area focuses on field studies focused on soiling rates, ground- and satellite-based forecasting of soiling rates, methods for evaluating such rates, and fundamental physics of soiling.   Papers on novel anti-soiling technologies are also encouraged. Papers on permanent panel degradation caused by soiling and cleaning operations (e.g. glass abrasion) should be submitted to Sub-Area 9.3 but may be considered for this session.
(*) Submit your abstract under the area that best matches the nature of your investigation.

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Area 9: PV and System Reliability

Chair:              Charlie Hasselbrink, SunPower, USA
Co-Chair:        Atsushi Masuda, AIST, Japan
 
Area Description
The PV industry now attracts billions of dollars & euros of investment annually; thus it has become increasingly critical to have confidence in the long-term performance and reliability of these systems.   This Area considers the Reliability of all types of PV and Systems technologies as well as process impacts throughout the value chain.  Topics especially critical to the success of the PV industry include: up-to-date understanding of what is being observed for deployed products, the physics of degradation/failure modes, the development of accelerated tests and the validation of those tests’ ability to correlate with outcomes in the field, best practices in Design-for-Reliability and manufacturing QA; and the development and industry acceptance of standards and test protocols to ensure safety and reliability of PV systems.  This year we are convening a joint session on balance-of-system and system reliability with Area 10; we are also convening a joint session with Areas 8 and 11 regarding soiling.  Submissions are invited for all types of PV technologies.
This area may host joint sessions with other Areas.  Area 9 has been divided into five subareas, as presented below.  Submission of papers on detailed scientific research studies as well as visionary papers addressing the full range of these topics are invited.
 
Sub-Area 9.1: Reliability Field Experience
Sub-Area Chair:          Benoit Braisaz (EDF, France)
This sub-area focuses on statistics of types of failures, data analysis techniques for field data, analysis of mechanisms of observed degradation and failures, electrical and mechanical impacts of failures, degradation models, and long-term operation models of PV plants.  Submissions may include (but are not limited to) observations and analysis of observations from deployments of all PV technologies, methods of analysis of such data, and models or reviews that paint the big picture of what is happening in the real world.  Papers on soiling should be submitted to Sub-Area 9.6 Joint topic to Areas 8, 9 and 11 on PV Performance Degradation Due to Soiling.
 
Sub-Area 9.2:  Device Reliability and Accelerated Testing
Sub-Area Chair:          Max B. Köntopp (Hanwha Q-Cells)
Both silicon and thin-film solar cells are subject to thermal, thermal cycling, humidity, electrical, ultraviolet light, and mechanical stresses that result in a variety of failure mechanisms such as light-induced degradation, potential-induced degradation, damage to device passivation layers, cell stack delamination, metallization fatigue, and corrosion. This sub-area welcomes papers on identification and elucidation of the chemistry and physics of device-level failure mechanisms, accelerated stress tests and acceleration factors, modeling of degradation and failure rates, and critical controls in manufacturing.   Papers concerning device (cell) and packaging (panel) interactions may be submitted to either Sub-Area 9.2 or 9.3, and will be considered for both areas.

Sub-Area 9.3:  Panel and Materials Durability and Accelerated Testing
Sub-Area Chair:          John Wohlgemuth (NREL)
Module and module components are also subject to thermal, thermal cycling, humidity, ultraviolet light, electrical, and mechanical stresses.  These can result in a variety of failure mechanisms such as glass corrosion, encapsulant browning, backsheet cracking, bubbling and delamination interconnect fatigue and corrosion, frame corrosion and fatigue,  bypass diode failure, junction box failure, and cable and connector failure.   Submissions are encouraged on experimental elucidations of the chemistry and physics of these or other module failure mechanisms, accelerated stress tests and acceleration factors, modeling of degradation and failure rates, and critical controls in manufacturing.   Papers concerning device (cell) and packaging (panel) interactions may be submitted to either Sub-Area 9.2 or 9.3, and will be considered for both areas.
 
Sub-Area 9.4:  Reliability and Safety of Power Electronics and PV Systems (Joint between Topic Areas 9 and 10)
Sub-Area Chair:           Chris Flueckiger (Underwriters Laboratories)
 The durability and safety of PV system power electronics is increasingly in focus.   For example, new inverter safety requirements specified by the National Electric Code include arc /ground fault detection and rapid disconnect capability.  The field durability of PV power electronics is also an important factor in overall system lifetime cost.  Improved functionality and documentation of field reliability studies for power electronics will be the focus of this sub-area, as well as novel methods for fire prevention, arc detection/mitigation, shock hazards, ground and series arc faults, mechanical integrity, and inspection procedures. Papers studying PV system-level availability and reliability are also encouraged.
 
Sub-Area 9.5: PV Performance Degradation Due to Soiling (Joint between Topic Areas 8, 9, and 11)
Sub-Area Chairs:         Hassan A. A. Qasem (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority)
Mike van Iseghem (EDF)
Soiling can be a major factor in powerplant performance.  This Sub-Area focuses on field studies focused on soiling rates, ground- and satellite-based forecasting of soiling rates, methods for evaluating such rates, and fundamental physics of soiling.   Papers on novel anti-soiling technologies are also encouraged.  Papers on permanent panel degradation caused by soiling and cleaning operations (e.g. glass abrasion) should be submitted to Sub-Area 9.3 but may be considered for this session.

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Area 10: Power Electronics and Grid Integration

Chair:              Chris Deline, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, USA
Co-Chair:        Olivier Stalter, Fraunhofer ISE, Germany

Area Description
As PV installations become more widespread, the demands on the power electronics designed to interface solar panels to the grid will continue to increase.  Advanced inverter functionality and energy storage will improve the stability of the grid and enable increased penetration of renewables.  Improved topologies and controls will continue to increase power converter performance and reduce balance of systems cost.  Also, novel wide bandgap materials can enable higher-voltage interconnections and improved conversion efficiencies.  The PV and power electronics community is encouraged to submit contributions addressing the full range of scientific and technical contributions to the field of PV power electronics.  In particular, special sessions on Wide Bandgap semiconductors and a joint session with area 9 represent new opportunities for publication at the PVSC.

Sub-Area 10.1: Power Converter Design and Control
Sub-area Chair:           Sorin Spanoche (Optimhedron Design)
This Sub-area solicits abstracts describing new inverter and power converter designs and control strategies, as well as novel component design and testing results.

Sub-Area 10.2: Grid Integration, High-penetration PV and Energy Storage
Sub-area Chair:           Barry Mather (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
High penetration of both distributed and utility-scale PV systems on the electrical power grid and the variability and unpredictability of PV output introduce a host of challenges for utilities to manage. This subarea solicits papers addressing all aspects of grid integration, from advanced inverter functionality (LVRT, Volt/VAR) to battery storage technologies, to detailed distribution feeder network analysis. 

Sub-Area 10.3: Maximizing Power Output On and Off the Grid
Sub-area Chair:           Carlos Olalla  (Universitat Rovira i Virgili)
Novel topologies of PV systems have been proposed to increase generated power both on and off the grid. Distributed power electronics, improved maximum-power-point tracking algorithms, mismatch mitigation methods, system optimization software, higher system voltages and off-grid innovations can all improve the system level efficiency of PV systems. This subarea seeks papers describing and evaluating innovative system designs, and experimental results of new technologies.

Sub Area 10.4: Next Generation Power Electronics with Wide-band-gap Devices
Sub-Area Chair:          Jack Flicker (Sandia National Laboratories)
Wide-bandgap materials such as SiC and GaN promise advanced inverter and power conversion functionality, such as increased switching frequency, high power density, higher voltage operation and improved efficiency.  This sub-area focuses on component performance and reliability test results, novel topologies and applications, and field test experience with new product offerings, all enabled by wide bandgap materials.

Sub-Area 10.5:  Reliability and Safety of Power Electronics and PV Systems (Joint between Topic Areas 9 and 10)
Sub-Area Chair:           Chris Flueckiger (Underwriters Laboratories)
 The durability and safety of PV system power electronics is increasingly in focus.   For example, new inverter safety requirements specified by the National Electric Code include arc /ground fault detection and rapid disconnect capability.  The field durability of PV power electronics is also an important factor in overall system lifetime cost.  Improved functionality and documentation of field reliability studies for power electronics will be the focus of this sub-area, as well as novel methods for fire prevention, arc detection/mitigation, shock hazards, ground and series arc faults, mechanical integrity, and inspection procedures. Papers studying PV system-level availability and reliability are also encouraged.

Sub-Area 10.6: Solar Forecasting for Grid Integration of PV (Joint between Topic Areas 10 and 11)
Sub-Area Chair:          Jan Kleissl or Carlos Coimbra (UCSD)
Jeffrey Brownson (PSU)
This topic focuses on the use of solar forecasts in ways to best integrate PV into the electric grid.  Topics for both distribution and transmission level integration will be considered.  Papers should focus on the modeling or measurement of the electric grid in the changing landscape of electric supply due to PV.  Distribution grid papers will largely address the PV as a “behind-the-meter” application, whereas transmission-level research focuses on “utility-scale” PV plants.  Preferred submissions in this topic area will target new insights into ways the electric grid can successfully operate under high penetration PV with the goal of causing minimal economic and technical impacts.

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Area 11: Solar Resource for PV and Forecasting

Chair:              Skip Dise, Clean Power Research, USA
Co-Chairs:      Wilfred Walsh, National University of Singapore, Singapore
                        Anton Driesse, PV Performance Labs, Germany
 
Area Description
Solar resource measurement and forecasting are essential for evaluating technical and financial performance in PV applications, and uncertainties related to the solar resource contribute directly to uncertainties in economic viability. Measurement using ground-based instruments provides the highest accuracy, but at a relatively high initial and operating cost, whereas remotely derived data can provide broad geographical coverage. This research area covers technologies and methods to quantify and model solar irradiance with a particular focus on applications in the PV sector. Technologies to quantify solar resource, either in actual or forecast, can overlap by time horizon and application. Research advances in measurement will target advancement on physically and empirically based models, whereas applications look to reduce the magnitude of PV operational risk.

Sub-Area 11.1: Ground-based solar resource measurement
Sub-area Chair: Justin Robinson (GroundWork Renewables)
Sub-Area 11.1 welcomes submissions that research techniques in ground-based solar resource measurement. Ground-based solar resource measurements can be a critical component to all stages of PV projects, including development and operation. Submissions that present various hardware technologies’ ability to quantify solar resource and the associated uncertainty are preferred. Topics that address the use of ground-based tools for solar forecasting for energy forecasting and near-term applications should be submitted to 11.4 and 11.5, respectively.

Sub-Area 11.2: Remotely derived solar resource measurement and component modeling
Sub-area Chairs: Matthew Lave (Sandia National Labs)
This sub-area focuses on the development of remotely derived methods for measurement of solar resource and modeling of individual irradiance components. Remote measurement technologies leverage wide-scale observation platforms, such as satellite networks and focus on development of physically or empirically based methods. Modeling of components targets the improvement in methods by which global irradiance measurement, either through ground- or remotely derived sources, is separated into individual components such as direct normal and diffuse.

Sub-Area 11.3: Solar resource characterization specific to PV long-term energy forecasts
Sub-Area Chairs: Heidi Larson (Leidos Engineering)
Sub-Area 11.3 welcomes submissions that apply the use of solar resource data in long-term PV energy forecasts. In the development of a PV project, generating a long-term energy forecast is a vital step in quantifying the project viability. Advances in the application of solar resource for long-term energy modeling will target contributions to reducing PV efficiency loss and modeling uncertainty. Particular areas of interest include, innovations associated with improving methods for ground-to-satellite tuning of long-term datasets, and assessment of inter-annual variability related to the development of P50, P90, and P99 solar resource estimates. Additionally, novel techniques for quantifying holistic project risk for financing applications are encouraged. Advancements specific to PV resource to power models should submit to Sub-Area 8.3.

Sub-Area 11.4: Solar resource characterization specific to PV system performance and monitoring
Sub-area Chairs: Raphael Varieras (Radian Generation)
This Sub-area addresses the development of solar resource characterization and modeling specific to PV system performance prediction. Operational PV projects can be subject to a number of causes of underperformance relative to their expected energy. Accurate resource characterization is chief among them but equipment function in the field is also of interest. Performance issues related to plant hardware function can be determined by comparison with PV model output (i.e. Performance index) or directly against solar resource (i.e. Performance ratio). Research in this area will focus on the development of modeling techniques that more accurately predict actual plant operation, leading to higher project performance and availability. Topics that focus on soiling as a cause for plant underperformance should be submitted to Sub-Area 11.6.

Sub-Area 11.5: Forecasting solar resource and PV system performance and applications
Sub-area Chairs: Melinda Marquis (NOAA)
Sub-Area 11.5 looks at technologies specific to solar resource near-term forecasting and applications. Near-term forecasting extends from current or real-time measurement of solar irradiance for prediction into the future, in resolutions spanning from sub-minute, minute to hourly and days-ahead. Papers that explore experimental or novel forecast models are encouraged. Applications of irradiance forecasts can include PV modeling for plant operation or scheduling. Papers that focus on applications in electric grid integration should be submitted to Sub-Area 11.7.

Sub-Area 11.6: PV Performance Degradation Due to Soiling (Joint between Topic Areas 8, 9, and 11)
Sub-Area Chairs: Hassan Qasem (Dubai Electricity & Water Authority)
Soiling can be a major factor in power plant performance. This Sub-Area focuses on field studies focused on soiling rates, ground- and satellite-based forecasting of soiling rates, methods for evaluating such rates, and fundamental physics of soiling. Papers on novel anti-soiling technologies are also encouraged. Papers on permanent panel degradation caused by soiling and cleaning operations (e.g. glass abrasion) should be submitted to Sub-Area 9.3 but may be considered for this session.

Sub-Area 11.7: Solar Forecasting for Grid Integration of PV (Joint between Topic Areas 10 and 11)
Sub-Area Chair: Nicholas Engerer (Australian National University)
This topic focuses on the use of solar forecasts in ways to best integrate PV into the electric grid. Topics for both distribution and transmission level integration will be considered. Papers should focus on the modeling or measurement of the electric grid in the changing landscape of electric supply due to PV. Distribution grid papers will largely address the PV as a “behind-the-meter” application, whereas transmission-level research focuses on “utility-scale” PV plants. Preferred submissions in this topic area will target new insights into ways the electric grid can successfully operate under high penetration PV with the goal of causing minimal economic and technical impacts.

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Area 12: PV Deployment and Sustainability

Chair:              Annick Anctil, Michigan State University, USA
Co-Chair:        Keiichi Komoto, Mizuho Information & Research Institute, Japan
                        Stefan Nowak, Chairman IEA PVPS, Switzerland

Area Description
The PV Deployment and Sustainability area provides an opportunity to discuss aspects required to ensure the long-term success of the PV industry. It represents an extension of the traditional scope of the conference where current concerns and strategies to increase the adoption of PV as a major electricity source will be discussed. A joint session between Area 8 and 12 focusing on the manufacturing aspects is possible. Authors should submit to the area of their choice; abstracts that are relevant to two areas will be reviewed by both areas and will be considered for inclusion in all relevant sessions.
 
Sub-Area 12.1: Government/Policy/Financing
Sub-area Chair:           Kristen Ardani (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
This topic focuses on strategies to sustain or accelerate high PV growth rates and rapid cost reductions through government, policy, and financing models that are critical to the success of PV deployment. The installed costs of a PV system declined more than 50% between 2010 and 2013, yet certain market barriers continue to inhibit wide scale PV deployment. This sub-area solicits papers that will help conference participants better understand the government, policy, and finance considerations that are paramount to overcoming these barriers.

Sub Area 12.2: Sustainability
Sub-Area Chair:          Gabrielle Gaustad (Rochester Institute of Technology)
This area seeks submissions with a broad, systems-level perspective on the sustainability of PV, throughout the life-cycle.  These can include perspectives on material supply (e.g. improving efficiency of raw material extraction, concerns related to critical or scarce materials), manufacturing (e.g. dematerialization, efficiency gains), usage (e.g. influencing user behavior, encouraging adoption), end-of-life (e.g. recycling technologies, toxicity concerns, disposal pathways) and other aspects of the life-cycle.  Novel approaches and results regarding assessing the environmental impacts of PV are particularly encouraged.  Multi-disciplinary work combining economic and/or social impacts is also invited.  Submissions that consider manufacturing sustainability and recycling might be combined for a joint session.
 
Sub Area 12.3: Workforce Development and Education
Sub-Area Chair:          Annick Anctil (Michigan State University)
This topic focuses on original education methods to prepare the workforce for jobs associated with various aspects of photovoltaic research, manufacturing and grid integration.  Innovative education methods can include but are not limited to interdisciplinary approaches in education, new teaching methods, online education, and hands-on learning.

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Area 13: Special Session on PV Reporting Accuracy:  PV MythBusters!

Chair:              Ashraf Alam, Purdue University, USA
Co-Chairs:      Tonio Buonassisi, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
                        Timothy Anderson, University of Massachusetts, USA

Area Description
The dramatic increase in size of the PV industry and the opportunity to develop many photoresponsive materials has attracted many new participants and increased the number of papers published each year. Along with this increase has come a divergence from consistent reporting practices and a shortage of reviewers who are familiar with the nuances of the science and technology of solar cells. Some sensational claims have been removed after being identified as erroneous, but there remain many papers in respectable journals that make questionable claims. Of particular concern are new startups who claim extraordinary performance on various aspects of cell technology; some of the claims may not be grounded in fundamental physics. Toward educating ourselves and improving the accuracy of PV reporting, we solicit submissions identifying common or interesting misunderstandings that we all can learn from. Selected papers will be presented in an evening session and the highest rated submission will receive a free conference registration. We especially encourage students to write interesting submissions and will give preference to a free registration for a deserving student. The “No Paper, No Podium” rule that is strictly applied for PVSC will not be applied to this Special Session.  The format of this session may be a little unconventional and will be designed to be fun and educational, given how easily all of us can make (and/or miss) these errors.
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