The purpose of this workshop is 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, and photosynthesis. Rather than a series of unrelated research talks, the workshop will be organized around a set of challenges to the utilization of solar energy. Each invitee will make a brief, relevant presentation during a session that features one of these themes, followed by group discussions. By bringing together workers in various fields of solar energy research, the workshop will foster collaborations and inspired approaches to facing the global challenges that have resulted from our reliance on fossil fuels.