PV School 2026: A Resounding Success in the Heart of the Alps The 5th edition of the Thematic School on the Physics of Solar Cells: from Basic Principles to Interface Science (PVSchool2026) was held from 25–29 May 2026 in Les Houches, France, against the stunning backdrop of the French Alps. Following the success of previous editions (2018, 2020, 2022, 2024), this year’s school attracted 70 participants from across Europe, reaching full capacity. PVSchool2026 delivered a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum, led by renowned experts such as Daniel Abou-Ras, Jenny Nelson, Thomas Riedl, Nathanaelle Schneider, and Stefaan de Wolf. The program covered the fundamentals of solar cell physics, including thermodynamics and opto-electronic properties of semiconductors, before exploring diving into the role of interfaces across major PV technologies (Si, III-V, CIGS, CdTe, perovskite, organic). The week featured interactive learning opportunities, including two dynamic poster sessions for participants to present their research, daily tutorials to apply lecture concepts to real-world scenarios, and a group project where teams analyzed “high performance” indicators, culminating in a comparative overview of PV technologies. A thought-provoking debate led by Mathias Guerinau expanded the discussion to include the concept of sufficiency. A portfolio of the week’s highlights available here (most photos by Andrea Cattoni). With exceptional feedback from attendees, the organizers are already looking forward to building on this success for the 2028 edition. The school was organized by Stéphane Collin (C2N, CNRS, France), Nathanaelle Schneider and Daniel Suchet (IPVF, CNRS, France), and Andrea Cattoni (Politecnico di Milano, Italy), with valuable contributions of Jean-François Guillemoles (IPVF, CNRS, France) and Amaury Delamarre (C2N, CNRS, France). PVSchool2026 was made possible thanks to the support of the CNRS, the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (C2N), the Institut Photovoltaïque d’Ile-de-France (IPVF), the E4C Interdisciplinary Center (E4C) and the FedPV.
After the great success of the previous editions of the PV School on Physics of Solar Cells in 2018 (from basics to nanoscience), 2020 (from basic principles to advanced characterization), 2022 (from basic principles to material science), and in 2024 (from basic principles to high performance) in the famous Les Houches School of Physics, we are proud to announce the fourth edition of the PV School that will be held on 25-29 May 2026, in Les Houches, France. Save the date!
The PV School 2026 will focus on Physics of Solar Cells: from basic principles to interface science.
This school will cover the physics of solar cells, from basic principles to advanced concepts, with a focus on interface science. It will open on a series of lectures devoted to the basic physics for solar cells (thermodynamics, opto-electronic properties of semiconductors…) setting a frame shared by all materials and technologies. It will then turn to the increasing role of interfaces in emerging technologies (tandem, perovskites, ultrathin solar cells…), and we will investigate the functions, materials, processes, and characterization of interfaces in photovoltaics.
The detailed program is available here, see also the PVSchool2026 announcement.
The targeted audience is focused on scientists (junior and senior), research engineers, PhDs and post-docs, and attendees new to the field of PV or wishing to enlarge their knowledge in photovoltaics.
Applications open on December 15th, 2025.
Application deadline: Friday 6 February 2026.
The PVSchool 2026 is selected as a CNRS thematic school: it is eligible for the “formation continue” for CNRS employees, and the registration fee will be fully handled by CNRS for CNRS employees.
The organizers can be contacted at pvschool2026@services.cnrs.fr.
Session organized by the CNRS and the IPVF:
- Stéphane COLLIN, C2N, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Saclay, France
- Nathanaelle SCHNEIDER, IPVF, CNRS, France
- Andrea CATTONI, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
- Daniel SUCHET, IPVF, Ecole Polytechnique, France
with the valuable contribution of Jean-François Guillemoles (IPVF, CNRS, France) and Amaury Delamarre (C2N, CNRS, France).
The PV School 2026 is supported by the CNRS, the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (C2N), the Institut Photovoltaïque d’Ile-de-France (IPVF), the E4C Interdisciplinary Center and the FedPV. It is hosted by Les Houches School of Physics.
Physics of Solar Cells: from basic principles to interface science
25-29 May 2026, Les Houches School of Physics
