What's Next for the Future of Silicon Solar Cells?

The smarter E Podcast Episode 195 | October 17, 2024 | Language: English

Silicon solar cells have been the backbone of the recent solar boom and will continue to be the driving force behind an energy transition with a high proportion of cost-effective solar power available in the future. The groundbreaking technological development of silicon PV technology has led to significant efficiency gains.

At the 15th Silicon PV International Conference on Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaics 2025 , to be held in Oxford from 8-11 April, scientists and industry representatives will discuss what we can expect from silicon solar cells in the coming years.

Ahead of the conference, we spoke to Sebastian Bonilla and Matthew Wright (both chairpersons of SiliconPV 2025) from the University of Oxford about the hot topics in silicon PV research and product development.

Timeline:

  • 02:17 What are the latest advances in industrial silicon solar cells?
  • 08:11 What market shares are expected for the established p-type and n-type silicon cell technologies over the next few years?
  • 12:24 What are the drivers of these developments?
  • 16:29 What changes can be achieved in the global solar PV landscape with their market entry?
  • 21:42 What progress are we seeing in sustainable manufacturing at industrial production scale?

The smarter E podcast is all about the current trends and developments in a renewable, decentralized and digital energy industry. Our moderators Tobias Bücklein and Zackes Brustik welcome and interview personalities who shape our industry and drive developments forward. A new episode is published every Thursday.

Click on the logo to listen to the podcast on the platform of your choice.

Sebastian Bonilla, Oxford Materials Department, UK
Matthew Wright, Oxford Materials Department, UK

Sebastian Bonilla specializes electronic materials and is an Associate Professor of Materials and has been researching semiconductor interfaces and its application to optoelectronic devices for 13 years at the University of Oxford.
Matthew Wright is a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellow in the Electronic and Interface Materials Laboratory. he specializes in indium free transparent conductors for tandem solar cells.

The World’s Leading Exhibition for the Solar Industry
Learn more
Further Content
Intersolar Middle East Conference 2026
Towards Net Zero: Decarbonizing C&I Sector in MENA with Solar Leasing

Tuesday, September 01, 2026, 04:45 pm

Intersolar Middle East Conference 2026 | Conference Program

premium account

Gain firsthand insights from landmark solar developments transforming the Middle East and North Africa. This session showcases large-scale project successes, innovative technologies, and lessons learned, highlighting how strategic partnerships and bold investments are advancing regional energy goals and setting new benchmarks for global renewable deployment.

Rutger Schlatmann and Angelika Harter
Perovskites: The Race for the Future of PV?

The smarter E Podcast Episode 258 | Language: English

June 25, 2026

HZB researchers explore perovskite tandem solar cells, efficiency gains, and the challenges of bringing the technology to market.

Howard Wenger and Aaron Thurlow
How U.S. Innovators Are Reshaping Solar

The smarter E Podcast Episode 261 | Language: English

July 23, 2026

Live from Munich: Industry leaders discuss Nextpower’s integration of utility-scale storage and Caelux’s breakthrough perovskite-on-glass solar tech.

Jarand Rystad
Is the Energy Transition Really Slowing Down? The Data Suggests Otherwise

The smarter E Podcast Episode 263 | Language: English

August 20, 2026

Jarand Rystad breaks down why solar & batteries outpace forecasts, how storage counters falling capture prices, and the future of renewables.

Tim Meyer
Can Renewables Deliver 24/7 Power?

The smarter E Podcast Episode 259 | Language: English

July 2, 2026

Can renewables power an industrial nation 24/7? Tim Meyer and expert guests discuss breakthrough insights from The smarter E Europe 2026.

You are using an outdated browser

The website cannot be viewed in this browser. Please open the website in an up-to-date browser such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.