The 12th Workshop will provide a forum for an informal exchange of technical and scientific information between international researchers in the photovoltaic and relevant non-photovoltaic fields. Discussions will include various aspects of impurities and defects in silicon-their properties, the dynamics during processing, and their application for developing low-cost processes for manufacturing high-efficiency silicon solar cells. The workshop will emphasize some of the promising new technologies in Si solar cell fabrication that can lower PV energy costs and meet the production demands of the future. It will also provide an excellent opportunity for researchers, in private industry and at universities, to prioritize mutual needs for future collaborative research. Sessions and panel discussions will review recent advances in crystal growth, new cell structures, new processes and process characterization techniques, and manufacturing approaches suitable for future manufacturing demands . Some presentations will address recent technologies in the microelectronics field that may have a direct bearing on PV. The three-day workshop will consist of presentations by invited speakers, followed by discussion sessions. In addition, there will be two poster sessions presenting the latest research and development results.