SCELL-2004 is intended as a vehicle for the dissemination of research results on materials science and technology related to photovoltaic, photothermal and photoelectrochemical solar energy conversion. Materials science is taken in the broadest possible sense and encompasses physics, chemistry, optics, materials fabrication and analysis for all types of materials. It is also aimed at promoting contacts amongst researchers and research groups for the creation of Multinational Thematic and Research Networks, as well as promoting contacts for future collaborative joint projects within some of the EU Operational Programs and Iniciatives (for example, the just launched Sixth Framework Program).

Researches on those technologies not in production and not expected to enter production soon because additional long-term research, development, and innovation are needed and indeed also welcome. 

Reports on Photovoltaic Research Transfer (remote residences, satellites, highway traffic and information signs, water pumps, communications stations, navigation buoys, street lights and calculators, etc.) is also of the highest interest for SCELL-2004.

Of particular interest (to name a few general topics) are:

Solar Cells, covering single crystal, polycrystalline and amorphous materials utilising homojunctions and heterojunctions, Schottky barriers, liquid junctions and their applications. Also of interest is analysis of component materials, individual cells and complete systems, including their economic aspects.

Photothermal Devices, in the broadest sense, including solar absorber devices, heat storage materials, radiative cooling systems and their applications.

Photoelectrochemical and Photochemical Devices, covering photoelectrodes, photocatalysis, photoconversion and solar desalination systems and their applications.

Optical Properties of materials, including light trapping, texturising, solar concentrators which include imaging and non-imaging optical collectors.

The pertinent sessions are comprehensive and encompass bulk materials, coatings and thin films and surface treatments, from basic as well as from applications-oriented and manufacturing related perspectives.