While consumption of electricity is closely correlated with quality of life, it would simultaneously impose unbearable stresses to materials, energy and environment in our planet earth. Photovoltaics—being an empowering technology that converts photons to electricity—offers an earth-sustainable mean to meet our electric-power need. The first challenge faced to popularize photovoltaics is harvesting solar energy with short energy payback time and green production technology. The second challenge is to integrate photovoltaics in building design to maximize energy sustainability. The third challenge is to support energy autonomy in Internet of Things and healthcare electronics. New-generation photovoltaics takes these challenges with use of novel materials, creative processing and innovative devices.

This Workshop is the sixth in series held in Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Academia Sinica, to provide a great opportunity to discuss the emerging issues in new-generation photovoltaics: advanced material designs, new processing methods, device characterization, and large-scale fabrication. Internationally leading photovoltaics researchers are invited to share their scientific views in these aspects. Furthermore, our domestic researchers will also present their recent research outcomes in the Workshop.

Finally, we would like to thank our sponsors, including Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences and Center for Sustainability Science, Academia Sinica, for their supports.

Juen-Kai Wang, Ph.D.
Research Fellow