The significant increase in demand of world energy consumption has prompted the imperative searches of new materials and technologies for energy generation and savings. The technologies aiming for the effective and efficient use of solar energy is now one of the top priority to guarantee sustainable growth and development of the present society. This symposium will focus on the advanced ceramics, polymer composites, alloys and glass materials technologies including thermal conductive/ storage/reflective materials that could help to achieve the stated goals. A broad perspective is desired including photovoltaic materials, solar cell and solar-energy conversion systems for better energy efficiency; fundamental materials properties and characterization of solar-energy conversion, state-of-the art of solar cell materials and architectures, structure-property correlations, and materials development and processing technologies for reliable and efficient solar-energy conversion and related technologies are also highly desired.