Trends and Opportunities in Thin-Film Solar

According to the report, a-Si combines the advantages associated with all thin-film technologies, notably reduced bulk and weight, flexibility, and the potential for lower-cost manufacturing, with benefits typically associated with a mature technology — stablished processes and equipment.

Today a-Si represents about 54 percent of all thin-film modules shipped by value. By 2011 this number will have slipped slightly to 47 percent. In addition, the firm said that a-Si is the most likely technological route that will be taken by new entrants into the sector, as manufacturing equipment and materials are readily available.
 
NanoMarkets believes that the development of a-Si PV cells with improved efficiency will be the key to a-Si maintaining its dominant position in the marketplace. Areas where efficiency gains can be made include:  further optimization of the tandem-junction thin-film deposition process; modification of the current processes used to texturize the TCO, which will improve the light-trapping efficiency and thus overall efficiency of the cell; and the development of materials to support the transition to nanostructured silicon, including silicon nanowires and silicon-based quantum dot absorbers, which if successful will provide a path to efficiencies above 15 percent.
 
Near the end of the forecast period other approaches in the thin-film landscape will also make their impact felt, especially CIGS and possibly organic PV and dye sensitive cells.

For more information about the NanoMarkets report, click here.