In this section, we described the various device architectures in production for crystalline-silicon PV as well as the various absorber materials being used and developed for thin-film PV. We also explained why multijunction PV technology is considered the future of PV technology. We identified four major technological challenges (Fig. 1) for future mass production and deployment of PV technology in order to achieve the goal of climate neutrality and indicated how optics could help resolve these challenges. The four main challenges (Fig. 1) are: • Sustainable production of PV systems; • Higher energy conversion efficiencies; • Higher energy output and operational lifetime; • Integration of PV systems in their environment.

The ongoing development of photovoltaics into terawatt scale poses a number of challenges where the optics and photonics communities can contribute. An international consortium recently compiled a roadmap that elaborates on these challenges.