NOMATEN HYBRID-SEMINAR June 26: Advances in c-Si photovoltaic cells and modules - How far have we come? What lies ahead?
NOMATEN HYBRID-SEMINAR
online: https://meet.goto.com/NCBJmeetings/nomaten-seminar
In-person: NOMATEN seminar room (102)
Thursday, JUNE 26th 2025 1 PM (CET)
Advances in c-Si photovoltaic cells and modules - How far have we come? What lies ahead?
Pradeep Padhamnath, Ph.D. Eng.
AGH University of Krakow
Abstract:
The exponential growth of photovoltaic (PV) installations is an important and desirable element in the global response to climate change. PV technologies have seen swift and significant changes in the recent few years. From first generation solar cells featuring BSF to the current high efficiency heterojunction – interdigitated back contact solar cells, the PV technology has moved constantly towards higher efficiencies at lower marginal costs. This has enabled the rapid proliferation and acceptance of solar PV as the most desirable source of clean electricity. The improvements in the technology has also enabled and encouraged novel applications of solar PV. Currently, silicon based solar cells account for >98% of the solar cells produced worldwide. Similarly, the Solar PV module design has also seen significant advancements in terms of production process and materials. This presentation will retrace the development of c-Si PV cell and module technologies to the current state-of-the-art, and provide a window to its future.
Bio:
Dr. Pradeep Padhamnath is researcher in the Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science at AGH university of Krakow. He came to AGH and Poland as a Marie Curie actions-POLONEZ Fellow (MSCA-Polonez). His team at AGH works towards developing the processes of extracting precious and critical materials from the discarded photovoltaic panels and development of novel alloys for advanced electrical applications. Prior to this, he was heading the Silicon Solar Cell Group at Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS), National University of Singapore, and was also the head of silicon solar cell fabrication laboratory. While there, he was the PI of grants from US Department of Energy in collaboration with MIT, GIT and ASU in the US. He also lead several collaborative projects with industries from Australia, China, Germany, and USA. He completed his MS + Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, where his thesis was on metallization of Tunnelling Oxide passivated solar cells technology. Additionally he also has a master’s degree in Materials Engineering and Metallurgy, and a master’s in Energy Systems Engineering. His bachelor’s degree was in Mechanical Engineering (major) with Civil Eng. and Electrical Engineering as minors. Before transiting to a career in research, Pradeep spent six years in technology management roles in engineering and production industries across the globe.
