The 25th Sde Boker Symposium on Solar Electricity Production
25th symposium summary
The 25th Sde Boker Symposium on Solar Electricity Production was held from 17–19 February 2026 at the George Evens Family Auditorium on the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Sde Boker | Sylvan Adams Campus of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Organized under the auspices of the Ben-Gurion National Solar Energy Center, the symposium convened researchers, engineers, and students from around the world to present and discuss cutting-edge developments in solar energy conversion and related fields.
The program integrated formal opening remarks from academic leaders and stakeholders: Prof. Raz Jelinek, BGU’s VPDRD, Prof. Moshe Herzberg, representing the Nitzan Moshe Center for Energy and Sustainability at BGU, and Prof. Brian Rosen, the chief scientist of Israel Ministry of Science and Technology, followed by plenary and oral presentations chaired by leading researchers. Across three days of scientific sessions, participants engaged in a comprehensive program of invited talks, technical sessions, and poster presentations covering the full spectrum of solar electricity research.
The opening day featured sessions on solar fuels and photocatalysis, while later sessions explored renewable energy harvesting concepts, advanced materials and photovoltaic technologies, and interdisciplinary approaches to solar systems. Detailed topics included photoelectrochemical processes, optical and electronic characterization of solar materials, thermoelectric and hydrogen-based conversion methods, and agrophotovoltaic applications, among others, reflecting the symposium’s emphasis on both fundamental science and practical deployment challenges. Poster and lunch sessions provided additional forums for in-depth discussion and networking among early-career researchers and established scientists.
Distinguished keynote addresses were delivered by internationally recognized scientists, including Prof. Yana Vaynzof (Technical University of Dresden) and Prof. Mercouri G. Kanatzidis (Northwestern University, USA), whose presentations framed current trends and future opportunities in photovoltaic materials and device engineering. A highlight of the event’s concluding activities was the poster award ceremony, which recognized outstanding contributions from student and postdoctoral presenters across a broad range of solar research topics.
Overall, the 25th Sde Boker Symposium reinforced its role as a premier forum for scholarly exchange and community building in solar energy research, promoting international collaboration and the dissemination of new knowledge in photovoltaics, renewable energy systems, and sustainable energy solutions in Israel.
Keynote Speakers
Proud to present our keynote speakers
Our collaborations
Additional Information
The Symposium takes place at the Blaustein Institutes of Desert Research, otherwise called the “Sede Boker Campus" of Ben-Gurion University. We are located in the village of Midreshet Ben-Gurion, about 45 minutes south of the city of Beersheva.
This year participants will be making their own reservations, and not through the Symposium organizers. As options are rather limited, you are advised to place your reservations soon. No rooms are specially reserved for us.
Following are the housing options:
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Registration and payment are done through the university secure webpage.
- Registration fees apply to ALL conference attendees, including presenters.
- Fees include: Meals; refreshments; social events.
- HOUSING this year will not be handled through BGU, but directly with the providers. Therefore, those of you who plan on staying overnight should contact one of the options in the list here, mostly available at the village of Midreshet Ben-Gurion.
Cancellation of Registration
Upon receipt of WRITTEN request to cancel participation:
- Up to January 15 - full refund, minus bank charges.
- From January 16 until January 31 - 50% refund, minus bank charges.
- From Fabruary 1: no refund
Registration Fee
| Registration Type | Fee in NIS |
| Regular | 800 |
| Student* | 600 |
| Companion** | 300 |
* Registered in an academic institute in Israel, at beginning of academic career.
** Non-participants, joining only for meals.
There are three methods to pay:
- Via the University's online “shop" for Israeli Participants , via Credit Card and Paypal »
- Procedure for payment by bank transfer or checks from institutions in Israel:
- Step one: Email a request to pay by bank transfer or check in the form of an officially signed commitment letter from your institution or a formal purchase order. Payment is made to: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Please include all of the following information: Participant's name and email address; Institution's name and full mailing address; Name, phone number and email address of contact person responsible for payment, and total sum. Send the letter/PO to sbsolarsymposium@bgu.ac.il
- Step two: Ben-Gurion University will issue an invoice, including all pertinent banking information and send it to the person nominated as “contact person".
- Step three: Payment by your institution – by bank transfer or check. Please send a copy of the bank transfer to the same email address.
- Step four: Ben-Gurion University will issue a receipt.
- Step one: Email a request to pay by bank transfer or check in the form of an officially signed commitment letter from your institution or a formal purchase order. Payment is made to: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Please include all of the following information: Participant's name and email address; Institution's name and full mailing address; Name, phone number and email address of contact person responsible for payment, and total sum. Send the letter/PO to sbsolarsymposium@bgu.ac.il
- Only within Ben-Gurion University
Payment may be made via internal budget transfer to our Budget No. 3364072100. Please send copy of transfer form to our email for confirmation
Organizing Committee
- Professor Eugene Katz (keugene@bgu.ac.il)
- Professor Iris Visoly-Fisher (irisvf@bgu.ac.il)
To write directly to the Symposium secretariat: sbsolarsymposium@bgu.ac.il