May 27 2009
Research and Markets, leading source for international market research and market data, has announced the addition of the "Materials for Thin-Film Silicon Photovoltaics" report to their offering.
Thin-film silicon brings a unique set of advantages as a material for the photovoltaics market. It is a mature technology based on one of the world's most studied materials. Unlike any other thin-film solution, manufacturing equipment can be purchased almost off-the-shelf, so that manufacturers of thin-film silicon panels can ramp up to production levels much faster than with other materials. In addition, although the vast majority of thin-film solar cells are based on amorphous silicon (a-Si,) with limited performance characteristics, there are interesting new developments in the area of nanocrystalline silicon and silicon inks that extend both the possibilities for deposition of silicon PV on flexible substrates and the useful spectrum range of silicon solar panels.
The major goal of this report is to analyze and quantify the opportunities that are emerging for materials suppliers and device manufacturers as the result of further development of a-Si PV and new so-called Third-Generation silicon PV. The report focuses on the core absorber materials, but also covers materials for electrodes, encapsulation, dielectrics, etc.; all of which are critical to the performance of thin-film silicon PV.
The report begins with a full review of the state of the art in a-Si and other silicon-based PV materials and manufacturing. It also includes strategic profiles of leading suppliers of materials into the thin-film silicon sector. This report will be invaluable reading for strategic planners and marketing managers at materials, equipment and device firms, as well as some investor organizations.
Key Topics Covered:
Executive Summary E.1 Introduction: Innovation in Thin-Film Silicon PV E.2 Opportunities for Materials Firms in Thin-Film Silicon PV E.3 Opportunities for Manufacturing Firms in Thin-Film Silicon PV E.4 Key Firms to Watch in the Thin-Film Silicon Materials Business E.5 Summary of Forecasts
Chapter One: Introduction 1.1 Background to This Report 1.2 Objectives and Scope of this Report 1.3 Methodology of this Report 1.4 Plan of this Report
Chapter Two: Materials and Technology for Thin-Film Silicon PV 2.1 Introduction: Current Position of Thin-Film Silicon PV Solutions 2.2 Amorphous Silicon PV Materials Roadmap 2.3 Micro-Crystalline Silicon PV Materials Roadmap 2.4 Nano-Crystalline Silicon PV Materials Roadmap 2.5 Nanostructured Silicon PV Materials Roadmap 2.6 Other Materials-Related Innovations and Developments 2.7 Conductors for Contacts and Reflectors 2.8 Substrate Materials 2.9 Key Points from this Chapter
Chapter Three: Company Profiles 3.1 Amorphous Silicon PV Manufacturers 3.2 Vendors of a-Si Manufacturing Equipment and Chemical Suppliers 3.3 Companies with PV Materials Innovations
Chapter Four: Eight-Year Forecasts of a-Si Materials Markets 4.1 Forecasting Methodology 4.2 Eight-Year Forecast of Materials Used in Thin-Film Silicon PV