Speaker
Description
The global deployment of photovoltaic (PV) technology has accelerated dramatically over the past decade, establishing solar energy as one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity worldwide. South Africa has mirrored this trend, driven by both utility-scale developments and widespread adoption across the commercial, industrial and residential sectors. By early 2026, the country's cumulative installed PV capacity is estimated to exceed 10 GW, highlighting the increasingly important role of PV in ensuring energy security, economic development and the transition to a low-carbon energy future.
Understanding the fundamental physics of solar cells and PV modules remains essential for interpreting the performance of PV systems across all scales. The electronic and optical properties of semiconductor materials determine device efficiency, while module design, environmental exposure and operating conditions influence long-term performance, reliability and degradation. The physical principles that govern charge generation and transport in a solar cell also underpin the analysis of module failures, system losses and the energy yield of large-scale PV power plants.
This presentation traces a personal and scientific journey through the PV value chain, illustrating how knowledge developed at one scale shapes understanding at the next. Beginning with semiconductor crystal growth and materials characterisation of InGaAs and related compounds, the discussion progresses through solar-cell device physics, advanced characterisation techniques, module performance and reliability, and ultimately to the modelling, monitoring and analysis of multi-megawatt PV installations.
By connecting concepts across the scales, the presentation highlights the interdisciplinary nature of PV and demonstrates how a strong foundation in materials science and device physics enables meaningful contributions to the design, operation and optimisation of PV systems. The remarkable reach of PV lies not only in their global deployment, but also in the seamless integration of fundamental science, engineering innovation and societal impact that characterises this rapidly evolving field.