Thin Film and Advanced PV Absorber Materials  

·Thin-film silicon materials (amorphous, micro-, nano-, poly- and single crystal) 
·cadmium telluride 
·copper indium gallium sulfide/selenide 
·perovskites 
·dye-sensitized solar cells 
·organic PV 
·gallium arsenide 
·novel/earth abundant materials (e.g., CZTS, Zn3P2). 
·flexible organic/inorganic solar films 
Thin Film Deposition  

·large area deposition 
·crystal growth 
·linear sources 
·non-vacuum techniques 
·monitoring and control. 
Window and Contact Materials and Related Formation

·conventional and alternative buffer layers 
·transparent conductive oxides (incl. doping) 
·high-performance doped layers 
·metal contacts. 
Advanced Thin Film PV Materials

·micro- and nanostructured PV materials 
·nanomaterial suspension PV precursors 
·metalorganic solution TF precursors 
·nanotubes in PV. 
Light Management

·texturing and characterization 
·light trapping 
·antireflection layers (external and internal) 
·optical modeling. 
Devices and Properties of TF PV (experiment and/or theory)

·novel device structures 
·tandem cells 
·theory and analysis of structures (e.g., influence of grain boundaries). 
Thin Film PV Circuits

·circuit design, modeling, and simulation 
·scribing (laser, mechanical) 
·interconnects and grids 
·PV integrated circuits. 
Thin Film PV Test and Characterization

·microstructure characterization 
·electrically active defects and impurities 
·light soaking 
·novel characterization techniques. 
Assembly and Packaging of TF PV Modules

·edge deletion 
·encapsulation/ sealing 
·junction box attachment 
·novel packaging techniques. 
Deployment/Performance of TF PV Cells, Modules, and Systems

·module/system design, modeling, and simulation 
·advanced manufacturing processes 
·qualification and reliability testing 
·standardization of PV modules 
·array issues (mismatch, BOS cost, monitoring) 
·energy delivery, rating, and payback time 
·system performance and lifetime. 
Thin Film PV Applications and Related Requirements

·utility scale 
·industrial 
·residential 
·consumer electronics 
·automotive 
·building-integrated 
·space applications.