Solar Cells: From Materials and Devices to Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Nowadays, one of the most dynamically developing areas of science and technology is photovoltaics. In recent years, many new modern structures of solar cells have been constructed and presented. Crystalline silicon cells are taking the lead in commercial applications, while heterojunction, perovskite, organic and multijunction cells, among others, are being developed alongside them. The power conversion efficiency of these different groups of cells is constantly increasing, exceeding the value of 39% for multijunction cells, without the radiation concentration. In laboratories around the world, research is also underway on anti-reflective layers, applied not only to surface of solar cells, but also to the glass of photovoltaic modules, e.g., by the ALD method. New concepts of photovoltaic modules are emerging, as are new applications of them, including integration with the place where such modules are installed (shaped cells, colored coatings of cells, and BIPV). Examples include bifacial modules or hybrid modules, in which other processes and methods of energy recovery are proposed in addition to classic photovoltaic conversion. Currently, we can also observe intensive development of technologies for the storing electrical energy obtained in photovoltaic systems; the maximization of the energy requires the use of efficient dc–dc or dc–ac converters, which are increasingly controlled using artificial intelligence mechanisms.

Recommended topics of this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

• modern photovoltaic materials;
• structures of solar cells;
• antireflective coatings for solar cells and modules;
• photovoltaic modules and hybrid PV modules;
• concepts of new systems and analysis of the properties of existing PV systems, e.g., in space applications;
• energy storage systems in photovoltaics;
• maximum power point optimization in photovoltaics;
• AI in solar cell applications.

The presented topics of this Special Issue can also be extended to other interesting research areas related to the solar cells, photovoltaics and the latter’s applications. Original work highlighting the latest research and technical developments is encouraged, but review papers and comparative studies are also welcome.

Dr. Jacek Dąbrowski
Prof. Dr. Janusz Zarębski
Guest Editors

Dr. Damian Bisewski
Guest Editor Assistant

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