The purpose of this workshop would be to bring together researchers in diverse fields who are studying ways to optimize the capture and utilization of solar energy. Invited speakers are working in areas such as nanotechnology, bio-inspired energy conversion, production of solar fuels, photovoltaics, photosynthesis, and photocatalysis. The pool of invitees below reflects those using theory, spectroscopy, and device fabrication to understand and improve the efficiency of solar energy conversion. By bringing together workers in various fields of science and engineering, the workshop will foster collaborations and inspired approaches to facing the global challenges that have resulted from our reliance on fossil fuels.