Panel: Exploring the Relationship between Fundamental Research and Innovation in Photovoltaics

  Tuesday, June 9, 2026           10:30 - 12:00 PM

Moderators

Emily Warren, Rebecca Saive

Information

In photovoltaics, major technological breakthroughs often begin with deep fundamental insights. Understanding the underlying physics of solar energy conversion enables researchers to discover new materials, develop novel device architectures, and uncover entirely new mechanisms for converting sunlight into electricity. These advances form the foundation upon which future photovoltaic technologies are built. At the same time, the global photovoltaics industry has matured dramatically. With annual production now at the gigawatt scale, further improvements in device performance increasingly rely on sophisticated industrial processes and state-of-the-art manufacturing infrastructure. Yet the field continues to depend critically on bold ideas and creative thinking emerging from fundamental research. This special moderated panel brings together leading Photovoltaics Specialists who have shaped the field through breakthroughs in photovoltaic fundamentals and who have seen their ideas translate into real technological progress. Beyond discussing the science, the panelists will reflect on how transformative ideas emerge, how fundamental discoveries become innovations, and what it takes to build a successful research career in photovoltaics today. For students and early-career researchers, this session offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from top scientists about how impactful research happens - from identifying important questions to navigating the path from fundamental insight to real-world technology. Audience participation is strongly encouraged. To ensure that everyone - including those less comfortable speaking up in public - can contribute, we will use an online platform for submitting questions and comments throughout the session. Panelists: Harry Atwater, Vera Steinmann,Silvana Ovaitt, Chistiana Honsberg

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