Nextgen 2026

Welcome to the 7th Next Generation High Efficiency Photovoltaics International School and Workshop.

NEXTGEN (Next Generation High Efficiency Photovoltaics) International School and Workshop, now entering its 7th edition, is organised this year in collaboration with the RenewPV School. The event will take place from 8 to 11 September 2026 at CaixaForum Palma, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.[web:7] 

NEXTGEN is organised as a RenewPV training school, and its main aim is to review the state of the art and the current challenges linked to the implementation of new technology-based concepts addressing the key issues in the development of cost-efficient and sustainable photovoltaics. The school provides a platform for effective exchange between established experts from academia, research and industry and young researchers seeking constructive discussion and new ideas. 

The 2026 programme revolves around the theme Integrated PV: from materials to applications, covering both the fundamental analysis of photovoltaic materials and devices and their integration into a wide range of applications and hybrid solutions, including BIPV, IoT, water splitting and photoelectrochemical cells. 

The school will open with a series of master classes delivered by leading experts on current topics in advanced research on integrated photovoltaics. 

Venue: CaixaForum Palma 

Address: Plaza de Weyler, 3, 07001 Palma, Mallorca, Spain.

Map: View on Google Maps 

Pre-registration: Access the pre-registration page 

Topics 

The conference will cover a wide range of PV and related topics: 

• New device concepts in advanced chalcopyrite sustainable technologies. 
• Emerging chalcogenide, perovskite and organic technologies. 
• New materials for advanced PV devices. 
• Advanced optical spectroscopies. 
• Advanced applications: indoor, space, agrivoltaics and mobility. 
• Integrated PV: building and product advanced integration concepts. 
• Hybrid solutions: Solar to X. 
• PV for harsh environments: reliability, resilience and durability. 
• Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of emerging technologies. 
• Emerging PV technologies in the industry. 

Key dates 

• Start of abstract submission: May 2026. 
• Deadline for abstract submission: 19 June 2026. 
• Notification of acceptance: 3 July 2026. 
• Opening of registration: 25 May 2026. 
• Registration close: 6 August 2026. 

Registration + fees 

Online registration begins on 25 May 2026. As places may be limited, attendance is selected by the scientific committee upon application. 

Conference registration is a two-step procedure: 

Step 1: Application for pre-registration, with or without abstract, until 16 August 2025. Please use the following link: PRE-REGISTRATION. 

Step 2: Once the pre-registration has been validated, applicants will receive an email containing a proforma invoice. This invoice will include a reference number, which is required to complete payment of the registration fee by bank transfer. Payment instructions will be included in the email. 

Please note that registration will only be finalised once payment has been successfully processed. Payment must be completed by the specified deadline. No refunds will be available once registration has been confirmed. 

Fees 

• Full registration (4 days): €450. 
• One-day registration: €150. 
• VAT is not included in the above fees. 

Abstracts and posters 

Official resources are available to support participation in NEXTGEN 2026. 

Abstract template: Please use the abstract template and upload it through this application form. 

• Download abstract template 

Poster guidelines: 

• Download poster template 

Featured experts 

The school will open with a series of master classes delivered by leading experts on hot topics related to advanced research on integrated PV: 

• Konrad Ritter (Leipzig University, Germany): X-ray absorption spectroscopy on thin films, especially chalcogenide photovoltaic materials. 
• Peter Borowski (AVANCIS GmbH, Germany): From lab to building: requirements and hurdles for PV on buildings. 
• Robert Arndt (CTF SOLAR GmbH, Germany): Rethinking thin-film PV – Sun-to-X meets solar modules. 
• Francesca Brunetti (University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy): TBA. 
• Juras Ulbikas (UAB “Metsolar”, Lithuania): IPV contribution to the implementation of the Energy Active Living Environment. 
• Additional master classes to be announced. 

Invited speakers: TBA. 

Programme 

TBA. 

Committee 

Organising committee 

• Victor Izquierdo (IREC) 
• Pedro Vidal (IREC) 
• Alex López (IREC) 
• Elisabeth Chulilla (IREC) 

Workshop chairs 

• Alejandro Pérez-Rodríguez, Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Barcelona, Spain. 
• Edgardo Saucedo, Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Barcelona, Spain. 
• Nicolae Spalatu, Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Tallinn, Estonia. 
• Maxim Guc, Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Barcelona, Spain. 

Book of Abstracts 

Content to be announced. 

Contact 

For all enquiries, please email echulilla@irec.cat.