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Priority publishing in Solar Energy Materials

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Article in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells July 2010
DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2010.03.021

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Greg P. Smestad

Xavier Mathew

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Mxico

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IMEC International

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Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells 94 (2010) 11871190

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/solmat

Editorial

Priority publishing in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

1. Specic topics
Renewed interest in solar energy conversion has been inspired
by concerns regarding carbon dioxide pollution, job creation, and
market instabilities due to the geopolitics and widespread
consumption of fossil fuels. This interest is likely to be selfsustaining due to larger economies of scale, new materials and
processes, and a fundamental understanding of the basic properties required for solar energy converters that are both economical
and efcient [13]. Consequently, there has been a rapid upsurge
in the number of solar-related submissions to this journal and
many other journals as well. The purpose of this editorial is to
outline the methods by which submissions should be made to
Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, and to clarify those research
directions that the editors feel need special attention. Papers that
are focused on these aspects will normally be given high priority
and thus have a greater chance of progressing more rapidly
through the peer review process.
Although the name Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells might
be misconstrued as an emphasis on solar cells, it should be
pointed out that the journal has a wide scope and breadth and
generally considers works on all solar energy materials, energy
efcient lms and devices made from these materials. The journal
encourages all innovative approaches in materials science and
engineering as it applies to the eld of solar energy, especially
those approaches that use analytical tools applied towards an
understanding of underlying chemistry, physics, and interface
properties. Papers on new materials for both active and passive
layers are considered. Priority will be given to reports on
complete materials science studies with emphasis on optoelectronic or thermal properties of solar converters. The editors
encourage manuscripts reporting on: fundamental experimental
research on new materials or device structures, effective encapsulation and packaging schemes for devices, production
methods that can lead to high volume manufacturing, process
parameters that contribute to material quality and device
performance and new strategies for improving performance past
that of state-of-the-art devices. Special priority is often given to
works that report on an understanding of degradation or stability
and those that present stability data, since these often lead to
outdoor testing and deployment of the technology.
The on-line Elsevier Editorial System (EES) should be used to
submit manuscripts based on those topics associated with one of
our editors. The authors should select the Associate Editor whose
topic area overlaps with the focus of the manuscript. Each editor
will handle letters and rapid communications within that editors
topical areas. When submitting manuscripts via the EES, a
0927-0248/$ - see front matter & 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2010.03.021

summarized list of topics for each editor is available. Authors

can refer to this editorial for a more detailed list of topics.
Dr. Greg P. Smestad manages the peer review process for
manuscripts on wafer-based crystalline and multicrystalline
silicon solar cells [4], including back contact cells. Analytical tools
such as impurity analysis and luminescence measurements for
R&D and manufacturing are of special interest, as well as
photovoltaic device/module/system testing. Supply chain and
materials availability issues are of particular concern as the solar
industry matures [58]. Therefore, manuscripts on purication
and processing methods for polysilicon will be considered,
especially if they include the results for devices made with those
materials. Dr. Smestad will also cover concentrator photovoltaic
(CPV) cells and systems, as well as III/V materials and solar
concentrators of all types. Manuscripts on thermophotovoltaic,
thermoelectric and thermionic materials and devices are also
processed by Dr. Smestad.
Professor Frederik C. Krebs covers organic photovoltaic (OPV)
[9], polymer solar cells, and dye-sensitized cells. Such reports are
evaluated on the basis of whether they contribute to an improved
understanding of the eld in terms of physics, chemistry, and
engineering. Articles reporting novel organic materials with a low
performance are considered, provided that they provide insight
into other important areas, e.g., stability or manufacturing.
Dye-sensitized solar cell reports will be considered for publication
only if they present stability data, an understanding of degradation mechanisms, or energy conversion efciencies greater
than 5% [10].
Professor Krebs also covers the topic of polymer materials for
encapsulation and packaging of all types of solar conversion devices
including ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyvinyl butyral (PVB),
silicones, and other transparent polymers. Solar photocatalysis
reports are also considered. Reports on photodegradation of organic
substances over a photocatalytic surface are considered only if they
provide in-depth understanding of the mechanisms or demonstrate
usefulness in an application. Reports on catalysts for water splitting
or photochemical conversion over a catalytic surface, or via catalysts,
are particularly encouraged.
Professor Claes G. Granqvist covers basic optical and electrical
properties of solar energy materials, as well as transparent
conductive oxides (TCOs) [3,11,12]. Most of our editors cover
some sort of solar cell device, while Dr. Claes Granqvist covers
basic properties related to materials for solar thermal collectors
and low-emittance surfaces, phase-change materials for thermal
storage, absorber or reector materials used for concentrating
solar power (CSP), materials and devices for radiative cooling,
transparent conductors, transparent, translucent, and scattering

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Editorial / Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells 94 (2010) 11871190

materials related to solar energy and radiative (sky) cooling,

chromogenic materials and devices (especially electrochromics
and thermochromics), and materials for green buildings.
The Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Carl M. Lampert, manages the
technical aspects of the journal, deals with cases of plagiarism
and approves special issues together with the publisher. The
technical topics that Dr. Lampert covers include: chromogenic
materials of all types, light control lms, selective absorbers, and
reectors for solar thermal and energy efciency applications.
Since these topics overlap with some of those for Dr. Granqvist,
authors can choose either editor. In photovoltaics, Dr. Lampert
covers some third generation PV devices and building-integrated
PV (BIPV). Finally, Dr. Lampert covers all other materials, topics,
and concepts not covered by the other editors.
Dr. Ivan Gordon covers manuscripts on silicon-based thin lm
solar cells. This includes Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin layer
(HIT) cells and devices that utilize a thin layer of deposited silicon.
Thin-lm silicon solar cell reports are evaluated on the basis of
whether they contribute to the general understanding of the eld
in terms of physics, engineering, and material properties. Of
particular interest are the rates of deposition and the structure,
orientation, crystallinity, and quality of the silicon lm produced.
As is the case generally, process parameters and the resulting
device performance are a priority and a primary concern.
Professor Kasturi Chopra covers manuscripts that include thin
lm solar cells of all types, as well as TCOs, selective thermal
absorbers and low-emittance layers. An emphasis is preferred on
the physics and chemistry of novel and viable device materials,
new theoretical aspects of these devices, and system integration
and applications of these materials. Also, Dr. Chopra covers
certain special issues of Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells with
reports from regional conferences on the Asian subcontinent.
Dr. Xavier Mathew is the editor for all non-silicon thin lm
solar cells (e.g., CdTe and CuInGaSe2 or CIGS type solar cells)
[1,2,13]. Papers on CdTe, CIGS and related devices will be
considered if they report on one or more of the following: carrier
transport, strategies to overcome the efciency-limiting barriers,
processing steps that lead to better material quality, grain
boundary control and overall device performance, processing
steps in the devices fabrication, low cost technologies, and novel
concepts in large area deposition of thin lm materials. Papers
reporting routine material processing, characterizations and low
efciencies will not be encouraged unless the scope of the paper is
to demonstrate a new or low-cost approach. Reports stating
efciencies comparable with the existing records must be
conrmed in a certied laboratory [10,14,15]. Papers dealing
with the purication, recycling, and reuse [7,8] of thin lm PV
materials are encouraged. Dr. Mathew will also cover new thin
lm solar cell materials and non-silicon tandem thin lm PV
devices. Dr. Mathew also oversees special issues of the journal on
solar-related conferences in Latin America.

2. Common pitfalls
Due to the large number of manuscripts the journal receives
each day, only the few manuscripts that meet our rigorous
standards will be accepted. Therefore, tough choices must be
made about the papers that we send to our reviewers. The current
rejection rate is approximately 60%. To keep authors from falling
victim to one or more of several common mistakes, we describe
some of them below. Frequently, references are not up to date or
the work does not signicantly add to the existing knowledge of
the eld. In some cases, the work reported in the paper is not fully
developed and further research is needed before consideration for
publication. Higher priority is given to submitted manuscripts

that relate the materials properties directly to devices made with

the material described in the paper. Results and discussion
sections must strongly relate to the materials science aspects of
solar energy conversion. Articles simply reporting on novel
materials or materials grown by novel methods are acceptable
only if they present proof (e.g., a theoretical assessment or
experimental data) that allows conrmation of whether the
material can be considered a candidate for a solar control device
or a solar converter. Articles showing only general materials
characterization results should therefore be submitted elsewhere.
Articles of a purely theoretical nature and modeling studies are
generally not acceptable unless experimental data, either obtained by the authors or taken from literature, is presented that
clearly conrms the calculations presented.
A prior editorial described guidelines for reporting solar cell
conversion efciencies in the journal [10]. This policy is still in
effect and is subject to the discretion of the handling editor to
administer it when considering each submission. It should be
stressed that the most relevant spectrum to utilize for solarrelated measurements is described in ASTM G173-03 and IEC
60904-3 edition 2. Tables are freely available for the extraterrestrial spectrum, terrestrial direct normal plus circumsolar and
terrestrial global 371 south-facing tilt values [16]. If the spectral
irradiance values of the latter are integrated with the modied or
composite trapezoidal rule, the global and direct irradiances are
1000.37 and 900.14 W/m2, respectively. In addition, 25 1C is the
internationally recognized reference temperature for solar cell
measurements. Given the temperature coefcients of some PV
technologies, deviations from this value can lead to signicant
errors.
Several references are available that include a collection of
citations on solar cell measurement standards and techniques
[1,14,15]. Quantum efciency (EQE) measurements can be integrated with the AM1.5 spectral solar ux and the result compared
to the measured short circuit current density (JSC) values. The
y-axis of the EQE plot can be calibrated when the data is scaled by a
common factor so that measured and calculated JSC values are in
agreement. If the necessary EQE values exceed 100%, then reasons
for this must be sought. One recommendation is to utilize a
reference cell combined with a suitable lter such that the spectral
responsivity is similar to the device under test. Another practice to
ensure accuracy and relevance is to conrm short circuit current
density measurements using a mask or aperture over the cell and
to double check indoor measurements with those taken outside.
If the work has multiple English mistakes, or requires English
polishing, it is the authors responsibility to x them before
submission of the manuscript. The article may be on the cutting
edge of science, but it will not receive the recognition that it
deserves unless the authors meaning can be understood. An article
needs to be in its best possible form when it is submitted for
publication, which includes spelling, grammar and style corrections, as well as factual, accurate data. Authors can ne-tune their
grammar by working with a native speaker, an expert in English or
by using one of several English-polishing services that are available
(e.g., http://www.elsevier.com/wps/nd/authorsview.authors/lan
guagepolishing). In addition, references in the journal Solar Energy
Materials and Solar Cells should include the titles of the works. For
details on these requirements, please refer to our on-line Guide for
Authors, or the rst issue for the current year.

3. Managing your account on EES

There has been a continual improvement in the on-line
editorial system (EES) and both reviewers and authors are
encouraged to add @elsevier.com to their address books, or

ARTICLE IN PRESS
Editorial / Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells 94 (2010) 11871190

safe senders list, to ensure delivery of our e-mail to their inbox. If

this is not done, some e-mails regarding journal business may end
up in spam or junk folders. It is also important to update your
prole on EES (http://ees.elsevier.com/solmat) so that we can
match your areas of interest to the processing of manuscripts for
publication. This is accomplished by the following steps:

1189

Please visit our suite of free online, interactive e-tutorials on

how to use EES, available at: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/
eestutorials

they can nd spaces for condential comments to the editor,

comments for the author and a simple report form to be
completed. More details and resources on peer review can be
found at the dedicated area of the Elsevier web site (http://www.
elsevier.com/wps/nd/intro.cws_home/peer) or at the reviewers
home page (http://www.elsevier.com/wps/nd/reviewershome.
reviewers). To be registered as a reviewer, those who are
interested can contact one of the editors. Likewise, authors can
nd a dedicated on-line resource center (http://www.elsevier.
com/wps/nd/authorsview.authors).
This editorial updates two prior editorials [10,19] and claries
several important aspects of peer review for our journal. Keeping
all of the above information, factors and aspects in mind will
hopefully allow for a smoother, more rapid, and efcient ow of
manuscripts. This will better serve the Solar Energy Materials and
Solar Cells community so that we can continue to assist our
authors to become strong contributors to this exciting eld.

4. Conference proceedings and special issues

Acknowledgments

Special issues of Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells will

include a collection of high quality papers about a particular topic
or from a symposium or conference. The journal is keen to show
support for international conferences on topics of interest to our
readers. Papers will be selected strictly according to the editorial
policies described herein, and will follow the same peer review
process as is applied to a regular paper.
Presenters at solar conferences are encouraged to submit
papers as regular submissions to our journal. Manuscripts should
have the length required to present the work well, should meet all
the requirements found in our Guide for Authors and should keep
in mind all of the aspects of this editorial. The organizers of the
conference can choose 820 of most relevant or best quality
papers from their conference and submit these to the journal. A
single editor processes these manuscripts, and guest editors may
be utilized in the review process. In some cases, the journal
editors will select from a list of titles and abstracts at the
conference and will invite authors to submit a paper. Editors can
then produce a special issue with those papers that have made it
through peer review, and the conference or special issue organizer
can write an introduction to the issue. No submitted paper is
guaranteed publication prior to peer review and editor approval.

The editors gratefully acknowledge the advice of Dr. Keith

Emery of NREL during the preparation of this editorial.

(a) After you have logged into EES, be sure to keep your prole up
to date.
(b) Click the Change Details link to access your prole.
(c) Update any of your contact information.
(d) Be sure to select Personal Classicationsthese will allow
the editors to better identify your areas of expertise.

5. Peer review tools

Peer review is the process of subjecting an idea, work, or
research plan to the scrutiny of others who are among a
community of experts in the same or similar eld. The review
process is an often-neglected part of the scientic method.
Performing a meaningful and impartial review is a pillar of
science and is aimed at achieving high quality R&D in a minimum
amount of time [17,18]. Elsevier and the journal Solar Energy
Materials and Solar Cells appreciates these facts and values our
reviewers time and efforts in reviewing papers. To assist in the
reviewing process, Elsevier offers reviewers full access to Scopus
for 30 days. Scopus (www.scopus.com) is the worlds largest
abstract and citation database of research information and quality
internet sources. With Scopus one can search for related articles,
references, and papers by the same author. Reviewers may also
use Scopus for their own purposes at any time during the 30-day
period. If they already use Scopus at their company or institute,
having this 30-day full access means that they will also be able to
access Scopus from home or during travel. Reviewers may rapidly
and efciently submit comments online via the EES. After login,

References
er (Eds.), Solar Cells: Materials Manufacture and
[1] T. Markvart, L. Castan
Operation, Elsevier, Oxford, 2005.
[2] D.M. Bagnall, M. Boreland, Photovoltaic technologies, Energy Policy 36 (2008)
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[3] G.B. Smith, C.G. Granqvist, Green Nanotechnology: Solutions for
Sustainability and Energy in the Built Environment, CRC Press, Boca Raton,
FL, 2010.
[4] G.P. Smestad, Absorptivity as a predictor of the photoluminescence spectra of
silicon solar cells and photosynthesis, Solar Energy Mater. Solar Cells 38
(1995) 5771.
[5] B.A. Andersson, S. Jacobsson, Monitoring and assessing technology choice:
The case of solar cells, Energy Policy 28 (2000) 10371049.
[6] B.A. Andersson, Materials availability for large-scale thin-lm photovoltaics,
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[7] A. Feltrin, A. Freundlich, Material considerations for terawatt level deployment of photovoltaics, Renewable Energy 33 (2008) 180185.
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[9] F.C. Krebs (Ed.), Polymer Photovoltaics: A Practical Approach,
Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Press, Bellingham,
Washington, 2008.
[10] G.P. Smestad, F.C. Krebs, C.M. Lampert, C.G. Granqvist, K.L. Chopra, X.
Mathew, H. Takakura, Reporting solar cell efciencies in Solar Energy
Materials and Solar Cells, Solar Energy Mater. Solar Cells 92 (2008)
371373.
[11] C.R. Osterwald, T.J. McMahon, J.A. del Cueto, Electrochemical corrosion of
SnO2:F transparent conducting layers in thin-lm photovoltaic modules,
Solar Energy Mater. Solar Cells 79 (2003) 2133.
[12] C.G. Granqvist, Materials for Solar Energy, in: C.J. Cleveland et al. (Eds.),
Encyclopedia of Energy, vol. 3, Elsevier, New York, 2004, pp. 845858.
[13] A.G. Aberle, Thin-lm solar cells, Thin Solid Films 517 (2009) 47064710.
[14] M.A. Green, K. Emery, Solar cell efciency tables, Prog. Photovolt: Res.
Appl. 1 (1993) 2529.
[15] M.A. Green, K. Emery, Y. Hishikawa, W. Warta, Solar cell efciency tables
(version 33), Prog. Photovolt: Res. Appl. 17 (2009) 8594.
[16] Web site for NRELs AM1.5 Standard Dataset: /http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/
spectra/am1.5/S, accessed March 11, 2010.
[17] I. Fortanet, Evaluative language in peer review referee reports, J. English for
Acad. Purposes 7 (2008) 2737.
[18] M. Mandviwalla, R. Patnayakuni, D. Schuff, Improving the peer review process
with information technology, Decision Support Syst. 46 (2008) 2940.
[19] G.P. Smestad, Topical editors in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells,
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Greg P. Smestad n
Sol Ideas Technology Development, P.O. Box 5729, San Jose, CA
95150-5729, USA
E-mail address: [email protected]

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Editorial / Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells 94 (2010) 11871190

Frederik C. Krebs
National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy, Technical University of
Denmark, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
E-mail address: [email protected]

Xavier Mathew
Centro de Investigacion en Energia-UNAM 62580, Temixco, Morelos,
Mexico
E-mail address: [email protected]

Claes G. Granqvist

Department of Engineering Science, The Angstr

om Laboratory
Uppsala University, P.O. Box 534, SE-75121 Uppsala, Sweden
E-mail address: [email protected]

Ivan Gordon
IMEC, Solar Cell Technology Group, Kapeldreef 75, B-3001 Leuven,
Belgium
E-mail address: [email protected]

Kasturi L. Chopra
M-70, Kirti Nagar, New Delhi 110015, India
E-mail address: [email protected]

Carl M. Lampert
8730 Water Road, Cotati, CA 94931-4252, USA
E-mail address: [email protected]

Corresponding author. Tel.: + 1 415 979 8730.