Polymer solar cells (PSCs) have received significant attention in recent years and have developed quickly due to their unique advantages such as their light weight, flexibility and solution processability compared with the traditional silicon-based solar cells. Combined with printing technology, the manufacturing processes of PSCs are expected to be conducted in a roll-to-roll process like printing newspapers. However, up to now most of high-efficiency PSCs are fabricated by spin-coating process with post treatment processes which are not suitable for large area manufacturing. Power conversion efficiency (PCE) beyond 16% was achieved, but only in small area devices fabricated by spin coating process. Meanwhile, the production cost, batch to batch variation of polymer materials, and device stability are vital issues to be solved before PSCs can find commercial applications.

To fully realize the potential of PSCs, improving PCEs through development of novel polymer materials and deep investigation of structure-property relationship is needed. At the same time, more attention should be given to the lifetime and production cost of PSCs. Large area printing and encapsulation techniques are keys to address these challenges within this area if the technology is to become viable outside academia.

This Special Issue aims to collate research and review articles on both the materials development and large area device fabrication of PSCs, embracing science, technology, and engineering in this area. It covers the polymer synthesis, characterization, as well as PSC devices fabrication, characterization, engineering and printing.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• High efficiency polymer donor materials
• Novel polymer acceptor materials
• Controlled synthesis of polymer donor/acceptor materials
• Large area PSC devices
• Polymer based interfacial materials and additives
• Tandem and multi-junction PSCs
• Stability or lifetime study of PSCs
• Photophysics of PSCs
• Ternary or multi-component PSCs