Photovoltaic cells and modules experienced considerable reductions in manufacturing costs coupled with technological improvements, bringing PV to low levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) in 2017. This is highlighted by several PV power plant power purchase agreements below 5 $cts/kWh, and by records below 3 $cts/kWh, placing PV as ultra-competitive compared to other energy sources. Since few years, the silicon PV community is further witnessing a strong dynamism in the improvement of conversion efficiency with potential for further lowering LCOE. The introduction of new materials, processes and concepts, is triggering the introduction of advanced technologies in production. In that context, high efficiency n-type silicon technologies are developing with impressive dynamics! At R&D level, ultra-high efficiency was achieved by Kaneka, Japan, using back-contacted silicon heterojunction, with up to 26.7 % and 24.37 % demonstrated at cell and module levels respectively. Continuous progress is being made with HJT, n-PERT and IBC technologies, driving towards an increasing mass production of highly efficient n-type devices, as highlighted by the introduction of 2 GW n-PERT production capacity by Jolywood in 2017.
In such exciting context, we are happy to welcome you at the next n-PV workshop to discover what is next to come in 2018! The event will take place in EPFL campus in Lausanne, in the beautiful Rolex Learning center, next to Geneva Lake and facing snowy Alps at this period of time! The first day will be coupled to SiliconPV for in-depth presentations of latest developments in n-type technologies at the R&D level. The second day will be dedicated to n-PV industry, providing the platform to highlight and discover industrial progress in n-type technologies, from wafer to cell and module technologies, and to discuss and debate the development and market roadmaps for n-PV technologies.
The n-PV workshop is a unique occasion to update yourself on n-PV technologies and industrial developments, and to discuss it with scientists and industrials from all over the world in a great atmosphere!
I am looking forward to welcome you in Lausanne, Switzerland, enjoying 2018 n-PV workshop!
On behalf of the organizing committee
Matthieu Despeisse.
