The most commonly used PV cells in the industry are crystalline silicon and thin films PV cells. The market is currently dominated by crystalline silicon PV cells but thin film PV cells have also started gaining importance in the industry. Crystalline silicon PV cells have occupied around 80% of the market share so far but this is expected to fall on account of shortage of silicon and high manufacturing costs. Crystalline silicon PV cells mainly comprise mono-crystalline silicon, poly-crystalline silicon and ribbon silicon while thin film PV cells comprise cadmium-telluride (CdTe), copper-indium diselenide (CIS), copper-indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), amorphous silicon (a-Si), and others.

There is a need for thin film PV technologies to continuously increase efficiency which translates to lower system costs coupled with high energy production. Manufacturing costs also need to be brought down in order to achieve competitive pricing. Improvement of efficiency from the current 7-14% to 9-17% in the next three to four years is the main area of interest in the industry. Some of the research labs have registered conversion efficiency as high as 30-40% and this has become a new source of interest among the key stakeholders of the market.

Low cost and optimum efficiency of thin film PV cells is driving the growth of the thin film PV in overall photovoltaic market. The global thin film photovoltaic market is expected to grow from $3,406 million in 2009 to $19,422 million in 2015, at an estimated CAGR of 32.2% from 2010 to 2015.

The amorphous silicon market is contributing maximum to the total thin film PV market. On the other hand, CIS/CIGS are expected to grow with a maximum CAGR of 43.9% from 2010 to 2015. While grid connected power supply application is expected to have the highest CAGR of 39.1% from 2010 to 2015.

With an increasing usage of thin film PV cells as isolated power sources in consumer electronics, military and space applications, etc., the market for grid-connected PV cells is also increasing at a decent pace. Ten years down the line grid connected power supply application is expected to dominate the market for which CIS/CIGS cells will be the most used thin film cell. With governments of almost every leading country encouraging the usage of PV cells through a number of initiatives and benefit schemes such as funding for the development of new plants, feed in tariffs and so on, it is expected that the thin-film PV cells market has the potential to overtake conventional and bulky silicon PV cells in the future.

Some of the major players in the thin film PV market include First Solar (U.S.), Kaneka Corporation (Japan), Bosh Solar (Germany) Unisolar (U.S.) and several others. Among North America, Europe, Asia and ROW, the European region has contributed highest towards thin film PV market on account of increase demand of solar energy especially in countries such as Germany, Italy and Spain.

Scope of the report

This research report categorizes the global market for thin film PV on the basis of types and geography; forecasting revenues and analyzing trends in each of the thin film cells

On the basis of applications:

Applications such as Consumer Electronics, BIPV, grid connected power supply and military & space applications are covered in the report

On the basis of geography:

North America, Europe, Asia and ROW

Each section provides market data, market drivers, trends and opportunities, top-selling products, key players, and competitive outlook. This report also provides market tables for covering the sub-segments and micro-markets. In addition, the report makes ways for more than 35 company profiles covering all the sub-segments.

TABLE OF CONTENTS    
    
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY    
1 INTRODUCTION   
   1.1 Key Take-Aways  
   1.2 Report Description  
   1.3 Markets Covered  
   1.4 Stakeholders  
   1.5 Research Methodology  
    
2 SUMMARY   
    
3 MARKET OVERVIEW   
   3.1 Evolution of PV Cells  
        3.1.1 First Generation PV Cells 
        3.1.2 Second Generation PV Cells or Thin Films PV Cells 
        3.1.3 Third Generation PV Cells 
        3.1.4 Fourth Generation PV Cells 
   3.2 Types of PV Cells  
        3.2.1 Crystalline Silicon PV Cells 
        3.2.2 Thin Films PV Cells 
   3.3 Thin Film PV Modules  
   3.4 Industry Life Cycle  
        3.4.1 Amorphous-Silicon 
        3.4.2 Cadmium Telluride (CDTE) 
        3.4.3 Copper Indium Diselinide/Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIS/CIGS) 
   3.5 Porter’s Five Forces Model  
   3.6 Thin Film PV Applications  
   3.7 Market Dynamics  
        3.7.1 Market Drivers 
               3.7.1.1 Low cost of production
               3.7.1.2 Government policies, mandates and subsidies
               3.7.1.3 Low silicon consumption
               3.7.1.4 Shorter energy payback time
               3.7.1.5 Creation of green jobs
               3.7.1.6 Better performance in low light conditions
               3.7.1.7 Harvesting capability of infrared light spectrum
        3.7.2 Market Restraints 
               3.7.2.1 Low conversion efficiency
               3.7.2.2 Multi-junction PV cells
        3.7.3 Opportunities 
               3.7.3.1 Research initiatives
               3.7.3.2 Venture capital funding
   3.8 Burning Issues  
        3.8.1 Shift of Geographic Demand in The Global Market 
        3.8.2 Changing Strategies in Growing Markets 
        3.8.3 Recycling and Disposal of Cells and Modules 
   3.9 Winning Imperatives and Market Trends  
        3.9.1 Technology Innovation 
        3.9.2 Products and Services Differentiation 
        3.9.3 Collaborations with Regulatory and Standards Bodies 
   3.10 Patent Analysis  
    
4 THIN FILM PV CELLS MARKET   
   4.1 Amorphous Silicon (A-SI) PV Cells Market  
        4.1.1 Market Drivers 
               4.1.1.1 Low temperature coefficient and low power loss
               4.1.1.2 Cost advantage of a-Si
               4.1.1.3 Good performance in low light condition
        4.1.2 Market Restraints & Opportunities 
               4.1.2.1 Low conversion efficiency
               4.1.2.2 Opportunity for new a-Si materials
        4.1.3 Geographical Distribution 
   4.2 Cadmium Telluride (CDTE) PV Cells Market  
        4.2.1 Market Drivers 
               4.2.1.1 High light absorption property
               4.2.1.2 Higher efficiency than a-Si
               4.2.1.3 Cadmium is abundant and cheap in nature
        4.2.2 Market Restraints 
               4.2.2.1 Toxic in nature
               4.2.2.2 Possibility of Tellurium shortage
        4.2.3 Opportunities 
               4.2.3.1 Increase in R&D activity to achieve higher level of efficiency
        4.2.4 Geographical Distribution 
   4.3 Copper Indium Diselenide (CIS)/copper Indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS) PV Cells Market  
        4.3.1 Market Drivers 
               4.3.1.1 High efficiency
               4.3.1.2 High versatility and flexibility
        4.3.2 Market Restraints 
               4.3.2.1 High cost as compared to cadmium telluride and polycrystalline PV cells
        4.3.3 Opportunities 
               4.3.3.1 Reduction in thickness of absorbing layers
        4.3.4 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION 
   4.4 Others  
        4.4.1 Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) 
        4.4.2 Organic Solar Cell 
   
5 THIN FILM PV MODULE MARKET   
   5.1 Introduction  
   5.2 Amorphous Silicon (A-SI) Module Market  
   5.3 Cadmium-Telluride (CDTE) Module Market  
   5.4 Copper Indium Diselenide/Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIGS) Module Market  
   
6 THIN FILM PV MATERIALS MARKET   
 
7 APPLICATIONS MARKET   
   7.1 Consumer Electronics  
   7.2 Building Integrated PV Cell Applications  
   7.3 Grid Connected Power Supply Applications  
   7.4 Military and Space Applications  
   7.5 Other Applications  
  
8 GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS   
   8.1 North America  
   8.2 Europe  
   8.3 Asia  
   8.4 Rest Of The World (ROW)  
   
9 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE   
   9.1 Market Share Analysis  
        9.1.1 Amorphous Silicon (A-SI) 
        9.1.2 Cadmium Telluride (CDTE) 
        9.1.3 Copper Indium Diselenide/ Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIS/CIGS 
   9.2 Key Growth Strategies  
    
10 COMPANY PROFILES   
   10.1 ABOUND SOLAR  
        10.1.1 Overview 
        10.1.2 Primary Business 
        10.1.3 Strategy 
        10.1.4 Developments 
   10.2 ANWELL TECHNOLOGIES LTD  
        10.2.1 Overview 
        10.2.2 Primary Business 
        10.2.3 Strategy 
        10.2.4 Developments 
   10.3 ASCENT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES  
        10.3.1 Overview 
        10.3.2 Primary Business 
        10.3.3 Strategy 
        10.3.4 Developments 
   10.4 AVANCIS GMBH  
        10.4.1 Overview 
        10.4.2 Primary Business 
        10.4.3 Strategy 
        10.4.4 Developments 
   10.5 BEST SOLAR HI TECH. CO. LTD  
        10.5.1 Overview 
        10.5.2 Primary Business 
        10.5.3 Strategy 
        10.5.4 Developments 
   10.6 BOSCH SOLAR ENERGY AG  
        10.6.1 Overview 
        10.6.2 Primary Business 
        10.6.3 Strategy 
        10.6.4 Developments 
   10.7 ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES  
        10.7.1 Overview 
        10.7.2 Primary Business 
        10.7.3 Strategy 
        10.7.4 Developments 
   10.8 EPV SOLAR, INC  
        10.8.1 Overview 
        10.8.2 Primary Business 
        10.8.3 Strategy 
        10.8.4 Developments 
   10.9 FIRST SOLAR, INC  
        10.9.1 Overview 
        10.9.2 Primary Business 
        10.9.3 Strategy 
        10.9.4 Developments 
   10.10 GLOBAL SOLAR ENERGY  
        10.10.1 Overview 
        10.10.2 Primary Business 
        10.10.3 Strategy 
        10.10.4 Developments 
   10.11 KANEKA CORP  
        10.11.1 Overview 
        10.11.2 Primary Business 
        10.11.3 Strategy 
        10.11.4 Developments 
   10.12 MASDAR PV GMBH  
        10.12.1 Overview 
        10.12.2 Primary Business 
        10.12.3 Strategy 
        10.12.4 Developments 
   10.13 MIASOLE  
        10.13.1 Overview 
        10.13.2 Primary Business 
        10.13.3 Strategy 
        10.13.4 Developments 
   10.14 MITSUBISHI HEAVY ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES  
        10.14.1 Overview 
        10.14.2 Primary Business 
        10.14.3 Strategy 
        10.14.4 Developments 
   10.15 MOSER BAER INDIA LTD  
        10.15.1 Overview 
        10.15.2 Primary Business 
        10.15.3 Strategy 
        10.15.4 Developments 
   10.16 NANOSOLAR, INC  
        10.16.1 Overview 
        10.16.2 Primary Business 
        10.16.3 Strategy 
        10.16.4Developments 
   10.17 Q-CELLS AG  
        10.17.1 Overview 
        10.17.2 Primary Business 
        10.17.3 Strategy 
        10.17.4 Developments 
   10.18 RITEK CORP  
        10.18.1 Overview 
        10.18.2 Primary Business 
        10.18.3 Strategy 
        10.18.4 Developments 
   10.19 SHARP CORP  
        10.19.1 Overview 
        10.19.2 Primary Business 
        10.19.3 Strategy 
        10.19.4 Developments 
   10.20 SIGNET SOLAR  
        10.20.1 Overview 
        10.20.2 Primary Business 
        10.20.3 Strategy 
        10.20.4 Developments 
   10.21 SOLAR FRONTIER  
        10.21.1 Overview 
        10.21.2 Primary Business 
        10.21.3 Strategy 
        10.21.4 Developments 
   10.22 SOLYNDRA, INC  
        10.22.1 Overview 
        10.22.2 Primary Business 
        10.22.3 Strategy 
        10.22.4 Developments 
   10.23 SULFURCELLS GMBH  
        10.23.1 Overview 
        10.23.2 Primary Business 
        10.23.3 Strategy 
        10.23.4 Developments 
   10.24 SUNFILM AG  
        10.24.1 Overview 
        10.24.2 Primary Business 
        10.24.3 Developments 
   10.25 SUNTECH POWER HOLDING CO LTD  
        10.25.1 Overview 
        10.25.2 Primary Business 
        10.25.3 Strategy 
        10.25.4 Developments 
   10.26 TRONY SOLAR HOLDINGS CO LTD  
        10.26.1 Overview 
        10.26.2 Primary Business 
        10.26.3 Strategy 
        10.26.4 Developments 
   10.27 WUERTH SOLAR  
        10.27.1 Overview 
        10.27.2 Primary Business 
        10.27.3 Strategy 
        10.27.4 Developments 
    
APPENDIX    
  U.S. PATENTS
  EUROPE PATENTS
  JAPAN PATENTS
   
    
BIBLIOGRAPHY 
  
     
LIST OF TABLES    
    
1 THIN-FILM PV MARKET ENGINEERING MEASUREMENT CHART   
2 GLOBAL THIN FILM PV MARKET 2008 – 2015 ($MILLION)   
3 IMPACT ANALYSIS OF DRIVERS   
4 IMPACT ANALYSIS OF RESTRAINTS   
5 R&D INITIATIVES   
6 AMORPHOUS SILICON PV CELL MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY 2008 – 2015 ($MILLION)   
7 CADMIUM -TELLURIDE PV CELLS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY 2008 – 2015 ($MILLION)   
8 COPPER INDIUM - GALLIUM - DISELENIDE PV CELLS,  BY GEOGRAPHY  2008 – 2015 ($MILLION)   
9 DSSC RESEARCH INITIATIVES   
10 OTHERS THIN FILM PV CELLS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY 2008 – 2015 ($MILLION)   
11 THIN FILMS MATERIALS MARKET  2008  – 2015 ($MILLION)   
12 MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS (2008 – 2010)   
13 JOINT VENTURES (2008 – 2010)   
14 NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS (2008 – 2010)   
15 PARTNERSHIPS, AGREEMENTS & COLLABORATIONS (2008 – 2010)  
 
     
LIST OF FIGURES    
    
1 THIN FILM PV TECHNOLOGIES AND THE MAJOR PLAYERS   
2 EVOLUTION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGIES   
3 CLASSIFICATION OF PV CELLS   
4 COST VERSUS EFFICIENCY OF PV CELLS   
5 THIN FILM PV MODULES MARKET SHARE (2010 & 2015)   
6 INDUSTRY LIFECYCLE: AMORPHOUS SILICON CELLS   
7 INDUSTRY LIFECYCLE: CADMIUM TELLURIDE   
8 INDUSTRY LIFECYLCE: COPPER INDIUM DISELENIDE/COPPER INDIUM GALLIUM DISELENIDE   
9 PORTER'S FIVE FORCES MODEL   
10 THIN FILM PV CELL APPLICATIONS ADOPTION LEVEL   
11 SOLAR CELLS MANUFACTURING STEPS   
12 GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN PV MARKET   
13 ENERGY PAYBACK TIME IN YEARS   
14 JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THIN FILM PV MARKET   
15 VC FUNDED COMPANIES BY CELL TYPE   
16 ONGOING ISSUES IN THE MARKET   
17 GLOBAL THIN FILM PV PATENTS, BY GEOGRAPHY   
18 TOTAL NUMBER OF PATENTS (2005 - AUGUST 2010E)   
19 AMORPHOUS SILICON MODULES COST/WATT & EFFICIENCY   
20 AMORPHOUS SILICON MODULES MARKET 2008 – 2015 (MW)   
21 CADMIUM TELLURIDE MODULES COST/WATT & EFFICIENCY   
22 CADMIUM TELLURIDE MODULES MARKET 2008 – 2015 (MW)   
23 CIS/CIGS MODULES COST/WATT AND EFFICIENCY   
24 CIS/CIGS MODULES MARKET 2008 – 2015 (MW)   
25 THIN FILM PV CELLS MARKET FOR CONSUMER ELECTRONICS  2008 – 2015 ($MILLION)   
26 THIN FILM PV CELL MARKET FOR BIPV APPLICATIONS 2008 – 2015 ($MILLION)   
27 THIN FILM PV CELL MARKET FOR GRID CONNECTED POWER SUPPLY 2008 – 2015 ($MILLION)   
28 THIN FILM PV CELL MARKET FOR MILITARY AND SPACE APPLICATIONS 2008 – 2015 ($MILLION)   
29 THIN FILM PV CELL MARKET FOR OTHER APPLICATIONS 2008 – 2015 ($MILLION)   
30 THIN FILM PV CELLS MARKET – NORTH AMERICA 2008 – 2015 ($MILLION)   
31 THIN FILM PV CELL MARKET – EUROPE  2008 – 2015 ($MILLION)   
32 THIN FILM PV CELL MARKET – ASIA  2008 – 2015 ($MILLION)   
33 THIN FILM PV CELL MARKET – ROW 2008 – 2015 ($MILLION)   
34 MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS OF AMORPHOUS SILICON MARKET   
35 MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS OF CDTE MARKET   
36 MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS OF CIS/CIGS MARKET   
37 KEY GROWTH STRATEGIES   
38 TOTAL REVENUE OF ANWELL TECHNOLOGIES 2007 – 2009 ($MILLION)   
39 ANWELL TECHNOLOGIES REVENUE, BY GEOGRAPHY (2009)   
40 TOTAL REVENUE OF ASCENT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES 2007 – 2009 ($MILLION)   
41 TOTAL REVENUE OF ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES 2007 – 2009 ($MILLION)   
42 ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES, BY GEOGRAPHY (2009)   
43 ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES REVENUE, BY BUSINESS SEGMENT (2009)   
44 TOTAL REVENUE OF FIRST SOLAR, 2007 – 2009 ($MILLION)   
45 FIRST SOLAR, BY BUSINESS SEGMENT (2009)   
46 TOTAL REVENUE OF KANEKA CORPORATION 2007 – 2009 ($MILLION)   
47 TOTAL REVENUE OF MITSUBISHI HEAVY ELECTRICS 2007 – 2009 ($BILLION)   
48 TOTAL REVENUE OF MOSER BAER, 2007 – 2009 ($MILLION)   
49 TOTAL REVENUE OF RITEK CORPORATION  2007 – 2009 ($MILLION)   
50 TOTAL REVENUE OF SHARP CORPORATION  2007 – 2009 ($MILLION)   

Thin Film PV- Advanced Technologies and Global Market (2008-2015)

Rising energy costs coupled with climate change such as increasing of earth’s temperature are driving the increase in dependence on renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies. Continuous advancements are being made in the field of PV along with significant reductions in cost; which, in turn, is driving further adoption of such technologies. The global thin film photovoltaic market is expected to grow from $3,406 million in 2009 to $19,422 million in 2015, at a CAGR of 32.2% from 2010 to 2015.

Source: MarketsandMarkets

The thin-film PV cells’ market share in the overall PV market has increased significantly in last two years with the market share of thin film PV in 2009 jumping to 21% from 14% of 2008. This is expected to each around 23% by the end of 2010, which is one of the fastest spreading products in the solar energy domain market. The most important types of thin-film PV cells are amorphous silicon (a-Si) PV cells, Cadmium telluride thin-films (CdTe), copper indium diselenide/ copper indium gallium diselenide (CIS/CIGS).