Presented by: Professor Joe Berry

Abstract: This talk will consider photovoltaic (PV) technologies and their role in the energy transition. To do this the basics of semiconductor materials, basic device physics of PVs and current materials used in existing deployed PV will be discussed along with their pros and cons.  With this background new material poised to supercharge PV efficiency and the green energy transition will be discussed. Specifically metal halide perovskite (MHP)  PV technologies potential  and impact as photovoltaic deployment reaches the terawatt scale will be discussed.  The requirements for significantly increasing PV deployment beyond current rates and what the implications are for technologies attempting to meet this challenge will be addressed.  In particular how issues of CO2 impacts and sustainability inform near and longer term research development and deployment goals for MHP enabled PV will be discussed. 

The Department of Physics proudly presents the Saturday Physics Series, lectures geared toward high school students and adults to highlight the exciting research and practical potential of physics. 

All lectures are free and open to the public.