Solar Energy Conversion Materials: Progress, Challenges & Future Direction

Mahendra Kumar

doi:10.69968/ijisem.2026v5i2475-483

Authors

Mahendra Kumar Lecturer, Physics Department, Government Polytechnic Bhaga, Dhanbad (Jharkhand University of Technology, Ranchi), kmahendra852@gmail.com

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69968/ijisem.2026v5i2475-483

Keywords:

Solar Energy Conversion, Photovoltaic Materials, Perovskite Solar Cells, Nanomaterials, Renewable Energy Technologies

Abstract

Solar power is one of the most promising renewable energy sources to meet global energy requirements and to reduce environmental impacts of fossil fuel use. The properties and the developments of materials for solar energy conversion are key to the performance and efficiency of solar energy systems. The review covers an overview of the basic principles of solar energy conversion, and the different classes of materials used in the photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies: semiconductor materials, thin-film materials, perovskites, organic photovoltaics, nanomaterials, dye-sensitized materials, quantum dots and hybrid composites. The energy conversion efficiency and system performance have been significantly improved due to recent advances in material engineering, nanotechnology, tandem solar cell architectures and sustainable material development. There are still several problems to be solved, such as material instability, material efficiency, production cost, environmental protection, expandability, and recycling. The review emphasizes the present technological advancements and outlines future research directions to improve the performance of solar energy conversion materials with high efficiency, durability, environmental friendly and economic viability, so as to realize the global transition to clean and renewable energy systems.

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