Dear colleagues,

We would like to draw your attention to the upcoming RENEW-PVJoint WGs Workshop “Interfaces in Emerging Chalcogenide Based Solar Cells”, which will be held in Magurele (Bucharest), Romania, April 23-24, 2026.

The content of the Workshop will cover the scientific tasks of the Action related to the WG2 – Materials and device modelling, WG3 – Materials processing, WG4 – Device development, WG5 – Advanced characterisation, by taking an interdisciplinary and cross-community approach to key developments for the development of new renewable energy concepts using non-toxic materials with low environmental impact and low greenhouse gas emissions. RENEW-PV is targeting to pool current and stimulate further research development and deployment of emerging inorganic chalcogenide thin-film PV technologies. To boost the photovoltaic conversion efficiency the Interfaces in Emerging Chalcogenide Based Solar Cells are proven to be among the most important engineering aspects to be considered. This workshop is dedicated to those interfaces (hole transport material (HTL)/absorber, electron transport material (ETL)/absorber) focusing on understanding the physical and chemistry of those interfaces and their impact on device photovoltaic performances.

We welcome your attendance and especially encourage the participation of young scientists and look forward to receiving your abstracts: deadline on 1st March 2026. The template can be downloaded from the dedicated site – https://renewpv.infim.ro/. After filling, it can be uploaded on the same site. The site will be available for submission until 1st of March.

General information:

To cover the catering provided during breaks and lunches, a fee of EUR 80 will be charged for the workshop, as no external eating options are available at the workshop venue. This cost can be covered using the daily allowance reimbursed to participants in line with COST Action rules. The payment information will be updated soon.

The EU COST action RENEW-PV may financially support the participation of scientists originating from target ITC countries ( https://www.cost.eu/about/strategy/excellence-and-inclusiveness/ ) and of RENEW-PV members to the workshop (abstract submission mandatory). If you wish to apply for COST funding, you should contact the Grant Awarding Coordinator, Natalia Maticiuc ( https://renewpv.eu/members/ ).

Tentative program:

2026-04-23

08:30 – 10:00: Interface engineering and selective contacts in chalcogenide solar cells

10:00 – 10:30: Coffee break

10:30 – 12:30: Interface engineering and selective contacts in chalcogenide SC_continued

12:30 – 13:30: Lunch

14:00 – 17:00: Practical/interactive discussions*and lab tours in NIMP laboratories

17:00 – 19:00: Poster session

2026-04-24

08:30 – 10:00: Summary of interaction discussions (the day before) Best practices

10:00 – 10:30: Coffee break

10:30 – 12:30: Characterisation and modelling

12:30 – 13:30: Lunch

13:30 – 17:00: Advanced concepts and emerging customised PV applications

*It will be divided in small working groups depending on the choice/interest:

1. solution processed chalcogenides (spin coating from molecular inks, chemical bath deposition, spray pyrolysis)
2. Electron and hole transport layers
3. optoelectrical characterization and modelling (Photovoltaic properties, DLTS)
4. structural and compositional characterization (XRD, HR-TEM, XPS)