Advanced Study on Next Generation Solar Cells
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 31
Special Issue Editors
Interests: perovskite solar cells; materials design related to photovoltaics
Interests: design; manufacturing; operation and maintenance of solar equipment
Interests: intelligent stimulus-responsive materials; perovskite solar cells
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We warmly invite you to contribute to the Special Issue "Advanced Study on Next Generation Solar Cells". The scope and purpose of the Issue are as follows:
I. Scientific Background and Importance
Solar energy has emerged as a crucial source in the global transition towards sustainable energy. Next-generation solar cells are at the forefront of this effort, aiming to overcome the limitations of traditional solar technologies. These new cells offer the potential for higher efficiency, lower cost, and better environmental compatibility. Understanding and advancing this field is essential for meeting the increasing global demand for clean energy.
II. Aim of the Special Issue
The Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for researchers to share their latest findings and insights on next-generation solar cells. It focuses on promoting in-depth research across various aspects of these cells, including materials development, device engineering, and performance optimization. By bringing together diverse research works, it intends to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and accelerate progress in this field.
III. Relationship to Other Literature
This Special Issue builds on the existing body of literature on solar cells. It complements previous research by delving deeper into next-generation technologies. While earlier studies have laid the foundation, this Issue will explore cutting-edge advancements such as novel materials like perovskites, new device architectures, and emerging concepts in photovoltaics. It will contribute to filling the gaps in knowledge and providing a more comprehensive understanding of future directions in solar cell research.
IV. Suggested Themes
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
(1) Materials for next-generation solar cells, including the study of new semiconductor materials such as perovskites, organic semiconductors, and quantum dots, and their properties for enhanced solar cell performance.
(2) Device engineering and optimization, focusing on improving the design and fabrication of single-junction and tandem solar cells, including strategies for reducing losses, increasing charge carrier mobility, and enhancing device stability.
(3) Energy storage integration with next-generation solar cells, investigating how to effectively couple solar cells with energy storage systems to ensure continuous power supply and improve overall energy utilization efficiency.
(4) Scalability and commercialization of next-generation solar cells, dealing with the challenges and solutions in scaling up the production of these cells and making them commercially viable, including cost reduction and manufacturing process optimization.
(5) Environmental and sustainability aspects, considering the environmental impact of next-generation solar cells, such as their lifecycle assessment, recyclability, and photovoltaic sand control and agriculture.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Yang Li
Prof. Dr. Lixin Zhang
Dr. Qinggao Hou
Dr. Yajie Fu
Guest Editors
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability 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 2400 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.
Keywords
- solar cells
- solar energy
- device engineering
- commercialization
- energy storage
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
