Printing electricity from sun and heat - the new photovoltaics

DuPont spoke about its photovoltaic inks, the University of Augsberg about challenges of material scarcity in some cases and analysts IDTechEx projected the markets for the next twenty years. There was a Masterclass on “Photovoltaics - New Markets.” Clearly things are on the move.

Reflecting the interests of this huge new industry, IDTechEx will now stage a conference “Photovoltaics beyond Conventional Silicon” in Denver, Colo. June 17-18. It will be unencumbered by presentations on the old photovoltaics and there will be comprehensive coverage of what comes next. It will explore organic and inorganic, flexible and often printed photovoltaics, as well as photovoltaics with unusually high efficiencies with applications ranging from aerospace all the way to terrestrial and even “floating solar islands.” Here is solar innovation beyond conventional silicon, often with inks, including silicon nanoparticle, carbon nanotube and quantum dot inks. No matter if it employs chemical vapor deposition or other non-printing technology; if it is providing many of the benefits that the new markets demand and conventional silicon cannot provide, it will be covered. There will be optional masterclasses and visits to the world leading facilities in the area.