Photovoltaic Materials for Sustainable Solar Energy

Advanced Photovoltaic Materials for Sustainable Solar Energy Applications in Agriculture and the Built Environment

Abstract

The increasing global demand for sustainable energy has accelerated research into advanced photovoltaic (PV) materials for renewable energy applications. This conference paper investigates the engineering principles, material science characteristics, and practical applications of modern photovoltaic materials in agriculture and the built environment. The study discusses conventional silicon-based solar cells, thin-film technologies, and emerging materials such as perovskites, organic photovoltaics, and graphene-enhanced systems. Key material science concepts, including semiconductor band gaps, nanostructures, crystal defects, and charge transport mechanisms, are analysed in relation to photovoltaic efficiency and energy conversion. The paper further explores photovoltaic materials, solar energy, material science, renewable agriculture, practical engineering applications, including solar-powered irrigation systems, agrivoltaics, smart farming technologies, building-integrated photovoltaics, and sustainable infrastructure systems. Challenges related to efficiency limitations, thermal degradation, manufacturing costs, material instability, recycling, and environmental sustainability are also discussed. The study concludes that advanced photovoltaic materials have significant potential to improve renewable energy generation, agricultural productivity, and sustainable urban development.