Photovoltaics (PV) are crucial in fighting climate change and transitioning to green energy sources. Third-generation photovoltaic technology aims to achieve high-efficiency devices and improved adaptability for different applications in different sectors. However, the precise and complicated production process results in huge amounts of waste due to defects.

In this context, the establishment of advanced characterization methodologies is important to identify production deviations and faulty devices as early as possible. Artificial intelligence (AI) can make a large impact in advanced monitoring and data interpretation. With the use of AI, in-line industrial inspection will improve the quality of third-generation PV and reduce its environmental impact by minimizing the waste of energy and valuable materials during production.

Based on our experience within the European Project Platform Zero (https://www.platform-zero-project.eu/), in this summer school we revise important AI enhanced characterization and monitoring tools from an industrial perspective in view of their direct in-line implementation into PV production lines.