Events
PV Academy 2025
Registration
The registration includes the on-site participation for the day or the session(s) you choose as well as access to the recording of the session(s) and presentation material online! Coffee breaks and snacks are included in the fee. PLease buy your onsite tickets here: https://userarea.eupvsec.org/participation/tickets/. You can buy each session as well in the Library.
Programme
9:00 - 11:30
From Fundamentals to New Materials for PV Cells
This tutorial will cover the key principles of photovoltaic energy conversion. Starting from an idealised case, the theoretical limits of conversion efficiency are established. Then, the material requirements of the semiconductor absorber are considered to establish the properties needed for efficient energy conversion. The loss mechanisms in real materials are considered along with the standard techniques used to measure and understand these losses. Having established the fundamental operation of PV devices, a comparison of the mainstream and emerging technologies is presented, describing both the current status and challenges for these material groups. It will conclude with a brief consideration of the importance of stability for generating cheap electricity for the renewable energy transition.
From Fundamentals to New Materials for PV Cells
This tutorial will cover the key principles of photovoltaic energy conversion. Starting from an idealised case, the theoretical limits of conversion efficiency are established. Then, the material requirements of the semiconductor absorber are considered to establish the properties needed for efficient energy conversion. The loss mechanisms in real materials are considered along with the standard techniques used to measure and understand these losses. Having established the fundamental operation of PV devices, a comparison of the mainstream and emerging technologies is presented, describing both the current status and challenges for these material groups. It will conclude with a brief consideration of the importance of stability for generating cheap electricity for the renewable energy transition.
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| Prof. Ned Ekins-Daukes UNSW | Dr. Shona McNab UNSW |
13:00 – 15:30
Degradation and Reliability of PV Modules
Degradation and Reliability of PV Modules
This tutorial delivers a comprehensive introduction to photovoltaic module degradation and reliability. Within a focused 2.5-hour session, participants will explore key degradation mechanisms across various PV technologies, examine emerging trends affecting reliability, understand accelerated durability testing methodologies, and learn about degradation detection and analysis. The session balances theoretical foundations with practical insights using both physics-based and statistical approaches to degradation modeling. The tutorial will cover interpretation of diagnostic imagery, performance data analysis methods, and approaches to economic assessment of degradation impacts. This knowledge provides a solid foundation for research in PV reliability and performance optimization, connecting fundamental science with real-world applications.
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| Dr. David Moser Becquerel Institute | Dr. Teresa Barnes NREL |
16:00 - 18:30
Impact of photovoltaics on climate change mitigation
Impact of photovoltaics on climate change mitigation
This tutorial will explore how photovoltaics (PV) can positively impact climate change mitigation: first, as a source of renewable electricity that can both displace fossil-fuel powered generation and enable the decarbonisation of other sectors through electrification; and second, as a major industry that can itself impact emissions levels.
We will consider the role of PV in decarbonisation pathways, examine how PV has become a cheap source of electricity and evaluate the potential of PV to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. We will take a hands-on, analytical approach to help participants understand how the deployment of clean technologies like PV translates into emissions reductions. In a second part, we will focus on the sustainability of the PV industry.
This tutorial aims to equip participants with a solid understanding of the role of PV in climate change mitigation and the related challenges, helping researchers, engineers, and policymakers to direct their activities to really make a difference for the climate.
We will consider the role of PV in decarbonisation pathways, examine how PV has become a cheap source of electricity and evaluate the potential of PV to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. We will take a hands-on, analytical approach to help participants understand how the deployment of clean technologies like PV translates into emissions reductions. In a second part, we will focus on the sustainability of the PV industry.
This tutorial aims to equip participants with a solid understanding of the role of PV in climate change mitigation and the related challenges, helping researchers, engineers, and policymakers to direct their activities to really make a difference for the climate.
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| Prof. Jenny Nelson Imperial College | Dr. Jan-Christoph Goldschmidt University of Marburg |
Chaired by
Chair
Dr. Frank Dimroth
Fraunhofer ISE, Germany
Co-Chair
NRL, USA
Co-Chair
Ritsumeikan Univ., Japan
With the support of
On the occasion of
