Thin-Film PV - Global Market Size, Price Analysis, Regulations and Competitive Landscape to 2020

Additional Information

Thin-Film PV - Global Market Size, Price Analysis, Regulations and Competitive Landscape to 2020 is the latest report from GlobalData, the industry analysis specialists that offer comprehensive information and understanding of the thin-film PV industry. The research provides an understanding of the thin-film PV market by volume. The research also provides historical and forecast analysis of the global thin-film production and average module prices. The report details about market volume as well as competitive landscape of major players in each of the three major thin-film technologies, that are, amorphous silicon, CdTe and CIGS. The report also provides the competitive landscape of major thin-film manufacturers in the countries such as the US, Germany, China, Japan and Taiwan. The report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by GlobalData’s Team of industry experts.

Thin-Film - Fast Developing Solar PV Technology Market

The global solar Photovoltaics (PV) market is dominated by silicon-based technology. Thin-film technology evolved from the early 2000s, but production remained marginal until 2006. Further, the crystalline silicon PV supply experienced a polysilicon shortage and became prohibitively expensive, thereby shifting the focus of solar PV module manufacturers towards thin-film module technology. Thin-film modules, benefiting from advancing technologies, have since experienced increased market presence in the solar PV market, growing from 8% in 2006 to 17% in 2010.

Global Thin-Film Market Volume to be More Than 15GW by 2020

The growth of the global thin-film market over the past five years has been remarkable. Production grew at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 105% from 2006 to 2010. This growth was due to various market drivers such as, a contraction in Crystalline Silicon (c-Si) modules supply due to polysilicon shortage, the development of favorable policies by federal governments and thin-film technology advancements. Many new players arrived on the scene and established crystalline module manufacturers increased their profits, mitigated risks and expanded their product portfolios. By 2010, thin-film production reached 3,627 Megawatts (MW), capturing 17% of the global solar PV market. With the technological advancements towards the development of efficient and cost effective thin-film modules, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16% over the period 2010-2020, reaching 15,895 MW of market volume by 2020.

Germany and the US are Key Countries for the Industry

The major thin-film countries globally are Germany, the US, China, Japan and Taiwan. These countries collectively accounted for 69% of the market share of the thin-film market in 2010. Germany is the biggest thin-film market globally with a market share of 19% in 2010. The US is the second largest thin-film market with a market share of 16% in 2010. China, Japan and Taiwan are the main thin-film countries in the Asia-Pacific region. These countries accounted for 12%, 12% and 10% respectively of the global thin-film market in 2010. Other emerging countries active in thin-film market development are Malaysia, India, the Netherlands, Italy and the South Korea.

Thin-Film PV Market, Global, Share by Country, %, 2010

Source: GlobalData, Primary Research, Press Releases

The Global CdTe Technology Market Accounted for 40% of Production in 2010

In 2010, around 80% of production in the global thin-film market was through the development of Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) and Amorphous Silicon (a-Si) technology markets. With high efficiencies and low manufacturing costs, CdTe technology will have high growth potential in the next 10 years. Copper Indium Gallium Selenide/Copper Indium Diselenide (CIGS/CIS) is still the emerging technology in the thin-film market. However, with further technological advancements to improve efficiencies, the a-Si market can also increase due to lower silicon prices. Below mentioned figure provides a comparison across the three technologies based on efficiencies, manufacturing costs and production in 2010, where size of the bubble represents production.

Thin-Film PV Market, Global, Market Comparison by Technology, 2010

Source: GlobalData, EPIA, Press Releases