Advances in Functional Materials for Photovoltaics in Energy Applications

Dear Colleagues,

In order to harness solar energy more efficiently, the development and application of functional materials for photovoltaics stand at the forefront of technological advancement. As the demand for renewable energy sources increases, so does the need for more efficient, durable, and economically viable photovoltaic systems. Additionally, the integration of advanced materials into solar thermal applications and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems further broadens the scope of research in this field, enhancing the efficiency and functionality of these technologies to capture and utilize solar heat effectively.

This Special Issue, entitled "Advances in Functional Materials for Photovoltaics in Energy Applications", welcomes the submission of pioneering research and review articles that highlight breakthroughs in materials science and could revolutionize the efficiency and functionality of solar panels and systems, as well as enhance the capabilities of solar thermal and CSP technologies. From organic and inorganic materials to hybrid composites and nanotechnology, this Special Issue will cover a broad range of innovations tailored to enhance the efficiency of solar energy conversion and integrate solar technology into diverse applications.

In addition to experimental advancements, this Special Issue also embraces the significant impact of computational materials science, which plays a crucial role in accelerating the discovery and optimization of novel materials for solar energy applications. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques with traditional computational approaches is transforming the landscape of materials research, enabling faster and more accurate predictions of material properties and behaviors under various conditions. Manuscripts that explore the synergy between AI, machine learning, and computational materials science to enhance the design and application of solar energy materials are particularly welcome. This multidisciplinary approach will only expedite the development of high-performance materials, but also provide new opportunities for the customized deployment of solar technologies in diverse environments.

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

• Novel organic, inorganic, and hybrid materials for solar cells;
• Advances in thin-film technologies for photovoltaics;
• Perovskite cells and their stability improvements;
• Nanostructured materials for light management and efficiency enhancement;
• Innovative surface and interface engineering in photovoltaic systems;
• Scalable fabrication processes for high-performance solar panels;
• The integration of photovoltaic technology in urban and rural settings;
• Durability and reliability enhancements in solar modules;
• Advances in materials for high-temperature applications in CSP;
• Innovative materials for thermal storage and heat transfer in solar thermal systems;
• Theoretical and computational models for predicting material behavior in solar applications;
• Environmental impact assessment and sustainability of photovoltaic and thermal solar materials;
• Application of AI and machine learning in materials discovery and optimization for solar energy systems.

Dr. Golibjon Berdiyorov
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.