Editorial: Advanced opto-electrical modeling of photovoltaic materials and devices

Abstract

Research and innovation in photovoltaic (PV) materials and devices have been expanding over the last decades, aiming at continuously improved performance and broadened applications. Thus, the strive for new solutions and the motivation to design, analyze and test new solutions and concepts is growing. In this respect, modeling and simulations play a central role in the entire chain of photovoltaic research and development, including materials, devices, and systems. Computer simulation can replace time-consuming experimental parameter variations and testing, when searching for optimized materials and device configurations. Furthermore, they enable to perform comprehensive analyses and contribute to physical insight into material properties and device or system operation. Modeling and simulations also present a strong predictive tool. The models used for PV material and device simulations should account for optical and electrical properties. Careful optical design and optimization of state-of-the-art solar cells and PV modules require advanced modeling approaches to be used, taking into OPEN ACCESS