Solar Energy and Light-Emitting Devices (SOLED)

The meeting covers the latest developments in optics, photonics and advanced materials for the next generation of solar energy devices including photovoltaic (PV) solar cells and solar (thermal) collectors and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This includes all aspects of novel optical materials, nanostructures and devices; ranging from surface coatings, textures and diffraction gratings to topics such as plasmonics, nanowires, quantum dots for application in solar cells and LEDs — both conventional and emerging types alike. It also explores the range of optical elements for collecting, guiding, concentrating, coupling, trapping, transforming and absorbing sunlight — particularly for concentrating solar power (CSP). As optical components typically constitute the largest fraction of cost of such systems, the scope includes research devoted to improving all optical aspects of solar systems to enhance the performance, such as reducing levelized costs and maximizing long-term reliability.

Attendees will be presented with overarching topics such as the techno-economic analysis of the impact of optics on photovoltaic and solid-state lighting systems. The aim is to bring together solar energy researchers with LED researchers and connect them with the broader global optical research community to identify and promote synergies.

1. Cross-Cutting Categories
   • Optical nanostructures for photovoltaic and light emitting devices, such as thin films, nanowires, and quantum dots
   • Design, and fabrication of light-management and light-outcoupling structures
   • Up and down conversion of photons
   • Optoelectronic materials and devices based on group IV, III-V, and II-VI semiconductors
   • Optoelectronic devices based on organic semiconductors and perovskites
   • Optoelectronic devices with quantum dots
   • Advanced characterization and measurement techniques
   • Reliability assessment and study of failure mechanisms
   • Lifecycle and economic analyses of solar energy and lighting products and systems
   • Optics for thermal management such as radiative cooling
   • Theoretical modelling of light emitting and photovoltaic materials and devices
   • LEDs and solar cells on flexible substrates
   • Novel strategies for daylighting
2. Solar Energy Categories
   • Optics for multi-junction solar cells
   • Advances in wafer-based silicon solar cells and modules
   • Integrated photovoltaics for applications in buildings, infrastructure, vehicles and agriculture
   • Concentrating optics and solar concentrators
   • Optics for concentrating solar power (CSP) and solar thermal applications
   • Concentrating photovoltaics (CPV)
   • Thermophotovoltaics
   • Field performance and reliability of concentrator optics, degradation and soiling effects
   • Energy-yield analysis of conventional and emerging PV technologies
   • Bifacial solar modules
   • Space-based solar power
   • Energy-yield modelling of photovoltaic systems
   • Optics for photochemical and photoelectrochemical applications
   • Materials and photonic structures for perovskite solar cells
   • Semitransparent solar cells
   • Solar cells for monochromatic light
   • Economics of solar power
3. LED Categories
   • Spectral tailoring for human-centric lighting and circadian lighting applications
   • Visual perception and color science of solid-state lighting
   • Laser-based solid-state lighting
   • Optical outcoupling strategies for solid-state lighting devices
   • Novel luminaire concepts for solid-state lighting devices
   • LEDs with emission outside the visible spectrum (e.g. UV, NIR, MIR)
   • Solid-state lighting with embedded communication capabilities (LiFi)
   • Solid-state lighting devices with actively controllable emission spectrum and/or directionality
   • Emerging applications of solid-state lighting (e.g. healthcare, water purification, surface disinfection, etc.)
   • Thermophotonic LEDs (i.e. electroluminescent cooling)
   • Advances in LED and OLED manufacturing for lighting applications