This seminar will discuss the role that silicon photovoltaics will play as we look towards terawatt level solar generation to meet the Paris Climate Agreement and reach net zero emissions.

In the EU, solar energy is already generated at half the cost than electricity from fossil fuels. Future technological and production improvements will ensure the continuing rise in performance of solar cells, bringing the costs of solar electricity to even lower levels. This success has been enabled by the extraordinary research and development in the manufacture of crystalline silicon solar cells. With over 90% of the market, silicon photovoltaics has become the backbone of solar energy worldwide. As we approach the practical limit of a single-junction silicon PV panel, research and industry must consider the key challenges that need to be addressed to ensure sustained technological advancement.

Keynote Speaker: Dr Pietro Altermatt, Trina Solar

Talk title: A roadmap of PV research and manufacturing towards meeting the Paris Climate Agreement.

Talk abstract: Pietro explains how you can join the adventure to reach net-zero CO2 emissions. He is the principal scientist at one of the largest solar cell manufacturers and can give you insider tips on how to use your skills and experience for silicon solar cells. Also if you work in areas other than semiconductors, your contributions are highly sought after and can potentially make a big difference. The deployment of solar cells to meet the Paris Climate Agreement can be accelerated through university research, contrary to the belief that it is mainly an engineering task. Silicon cells have been developed by a small research community compared to other cell types, but have achieved a 90 % market share due to inherent advantages such as the absence of expensive or scarce elements, ease of processing and the use of manufacturing experience from the electronics industry. Most of the processing steps of the mainstream cell type, PERC, were invented and developed at universities. Even recent improvements have involved universities significantly.

The webinar will be chaired by Dr Sebastian Bonilla (University of Oxford) and also includes invited talks from UK researchers and industry:

Dr Nicola Beaumont, Senior Development Scientist, Oxford PV

“Perovskite-on-silicon: a sustainable future”

Dr Nicholas Grant, University of Warwick

“Detecting anomalous light induced degradation in high efficiency gallium and boron doped silicon solar cells”

Mingzhe Yu, University of Oxford

“Understanding charge-induced carriers at interfaces and their effects in passivating contacts”

Tudor Scheul, University of Southampton

“Wavelength and angle resolved reflectance measurements of pyramidal and black silicon textures for high efficiency photovoltaics”

Prof Shashi Paul, De Montfort University

“Ra Process – Deposition of Silicon Nano-structures for Photovoltaic Solar Cell”