Building a sustainable energy system represent one of the grand challenges of our times that has triggered a quest for alternative energy solutions both in academia and industry. The reasons are manifold including the complexity of materials, shifting paradigms and insufficient validation of data that affects the efficiency and commercial uptake of novel devices and modules. Innovative materials technologies continue to enrich our daily comfort and standard of living but most of the times they undergo a long period of waiting either due to the delays in translation efforts or lack of confidence. Further the validation of claims and levelized cost of energy are essential facets of an R&D dialogue in alternative energy scenarios, also helpful for decision makers is one of the possible outcomes of an international discussion forum that this workshop is expected to provide.

The necessity to identify, develop, assess and integrate novel materials into devices will form the thrust of the scientific discussions planned during this workshop. To meet the demand of high energy payback devices with affordable cost, the present challenges require rapid integration of output of the fundamental energy research into demonstrator.