It was a shiny Monday morning in the stunning city of dreaming spires – Oxford. The recently built home for the Mathematical Institute hosting the 3rd conference on Perovskite Solar Cells and Optoelectronics, #PSCO17, opened its doors for visitors and sponsors coming from all around the world. In a few hours, almost 500 enthusiasts of the new generation of thin film photovoltaics have gathered to listen and discuss the most recent advances in this rapidly growing field.
Prof. Henry Snaith was greeting the crowd with a warm welcome, kicking off the meeting with a great ambiance. The first few hours covered tutorial talks by well-known and respected members of the optoelectronics field.
Prof. Martin Green discussed the business opportunities behind perovskite solar cells and pointed out that the rapid growth of photovoltaics provides a hope for a green future.
Prof. Eli Yablonovitch expressed his vision that halide perovskite materials will be able to reach performances comparable to GaAs in solar cells, given that the luminescence efficiency reaches values close to unity. He also demonstrated exciting alternative applications based on optoelectronics.
Prof. Michael Graetzel and Prof. Maksym Kovalenko gave their lecture regarding perovskites as light absorbing and emitting materials respectively. The poster session at the end of the day provided an excellent platform for discussion about science in a less formal environment.
Many great minds were busy in the following days, attending the talks of representatives from the best universities worldwide, and seeking fruitful scientific collaborations. Companies were present too, established with the aim of commercializing perovskite solar cells, or to provide materials and equipment for the same purpose. As Chris Case, the CTO of Oxford PV said: it is our common goal to fight the climate change. Every GW of installed PV capacity counts, and it will help mankind to live in a sustainable future.
Saule Technologies, introduced by the talk of Konrad Wojciechowski, presented their recent advances achieved during the pursuit of this goal, demonstrating fully printed, flexible perovskite solar modules that perform in low light conditions, and also while being underwater.
The gala dinner held at the Oxford Town Hall provided an exceptionally breathtaking environment for the initiation of a magnificent night, with delicious food and beverages. It was the pinnacle of the event when Prof. Snaith gave an improvised toast and the whole crowd cheered as one.
We would like to thank the organizers for creating this wonderful and well-coordinated event, supporting the advance of science, technology and the establishment of new connections in this magnificent community that we are proud to be the part of.
We are very much looking forward to seeing you next year in Lausanne.
