In this session, Dr Nicholas Rono will provide a comprehensive look at the evolution of solar technology, from foundational photovoltaic principles to next-generation alternatives. He will examine the unique advantages and stability challenges of Organic Solar Cells (OSCs), before diving into the rapid rise of high-efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs). Crucially, Dr Rono will address environmental barriers by exploring the development of non-toxic, lead-free perovskite alternatives. Finally, he will demonstrate how numerical simulation frameworks like SCAPS-1D accelerate material discovery and device design, bypassing traditional trial-and-error fabricatio

Dr Nicholas Rono is an earnest material scientist and Senior Lecturer of Chemistry at Tharaka University. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His ongoing research centers on pioneering renewable energy solutions, specifically focusing on advanced solar cell devices and photovoltaic technologies. A focused researcher in nanomaterials, Dr Rono specializes in the synthesis and optimization of high-efficiency optoelectronic materials. He has published a number of articles in high-impact scientific journals and serves as a reviewer for several prominent publications, including Materials Today Communications, Energy Reviews, and Computational Electronics. He also shares his expertise as a guest editor for Processes journal and Frontiers in Chemistry. His meaningful contributions earned him a prestigious Y2 rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF) as a promising young researcher. He is also a professional member of the South African Institute of Chemistry (SACI) and the Kenya Chemical Society (KCS), using his network to support collaborative breakthroughs across the continent.