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February 2011
The PV Newsletter 

New PV report forecasts tremendous growth in PV Materials 

 

Linx-AEI is pleased to announce we have completed the fourth edition of our groundbreaking report - Chemicals and Materials for Solar Cells and Modules, 2011.  This report provides the most comprehensive perspective of the critical consumables used in cell, wafer and module production for all categories of flat plate photovoltaics in the industry. 

 

We would like to thank all of our clients who support us and this report.

 

Sincerely,

 

Mike Corbett

Managing Partner

Linx-AEI Consulting


Tremendous Growth Opportunities in the PV Materials Market, according to New Report

 

Linx-AEI Consulting has partnered with SEMI to announce release of Chemicals & Materials for Photovoltaic Cells and Modules 2011, a new report that delivers detailed insights about growth opportunities in the soaring PV materials market, which is expected to more than triple from 2010 to 2015. Driven by the global demand for economically viable, renewable solar power, materials for crystalline silicon and thin film modules are one of the largest and fastest growing markets for suppliers of electronic materials.

The new report includes detailed insights into the demand for silicon, slurries, gases, wet chemicals, precursors, dopants, and other critical materials.
  The market for advanced chemicals and materials used in PV solar cells and modules grew 114 percent in 2010 to $6.5 billion, and is forecasted to grow to $16.9 billion by 2015. The report predicts materials sales will slow slightly in 2011, as PV module demand in Germany adjusts to new incentive policies and module prices decline. Growth is expected to resume in 2012 as new markets emerge. 

Chemicals & Materials for Photovoltaic Cells and Modules
analyzes the production processes and supply chain trends for the manufacture of cells and materials, and examines the emerging materials requirements for novel technologies. The growth trend in the aggregate global market for the materials covered is shown in the following graphic:

PV Cell and Module Chemical and Material Demand


PV chart  

The report outlines key PV technology developments in major market segments and discusses their implications for materials supply and innovation.

  • In crystalline Silicon, a drive to increasing material and cell efficiency is opening the door to diamond wire sawing, improved texturization processes, novel selective emitter schemes, novel plating technologies, ion implant and new passivation layer technologies.  
  • In thin film modules, improvements in manufacturing technologies for tandem junction Silicon and CIGS will lead to increasing competition for the segment leading CdTe, and drive growth for the respective manufacturing materials.  
  • Novel technologies for light capture and moisture protection in moduling have added value to traditional materials, while novel backside contact approaches may require significant material redesign.

For more information on Chemicals and Materials for Solar Cells and Modules 2011, call 973.698.2331 or send us an email.

Withering Excess Returns?

Joe Berwind gave a talk at the SEMI's Strategic Materials Conference in Half Moon Bay.  The talk reviewed Levelized Cost of Energy and the implications of changes in the existing subsidies and how those changes can shut down markets completely.

 

SMT graph  

To see the entire presentation, visit our  website

 

Industry Challenges Keep Mounting; Linx-AEI Offers Services to Help Our Clients Succeed

Key future unknowns in the Solar industry include:

  • What will be the impact of changes to the EEG in Germany? 
  • What is the impact of China's industry support initiatives?
  • What actions will be taken in the US?
  • How will the Polysilicon oversupply impact industry cost structure
  • Who will be the winners and losers of the recent industry upheaval?

These are all tough questions.  Our services are designed to provide the critical insights and perspectives necessary to succeed.  Linx-AEI offers services that cover the following areas:

custom PV services   

If you don't find exactly what you're looking for in a Linx-AEI report, we can design a custom report for your company to address your unique decision-making needs.

 

For more information about Linx PV Services, call 617.273.8837 or email us.



Linx Consulting
617.273.8837
linx-consulting.com