Streamlined Solar with Thin Film Photovoltaics

As one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources worldwide, solar power is gaining traction and seeing developments in material types and manufacturing methods, to increase its versatility of applications. IDTechEx's portfolio of Energy & Decarbonization Research Reports is home to the latest research on solar technology, including forecasts, materials, and players.

 

 

Thin film solar cells could be the answer to changing up the photovoltaic market, providing an alternative means of harnessing solar power to the long incumbent heavy and rigid silicon panels. Perovskite, organic PV, copper indium gallium selenide, dye sensitized solar cells, and amorphous silicon are some examples of the new technologies emerging within the industry, outlined in IDTechEx's report, "Flexible Photovoltaics Market 2025-2035: Technologies, Players, and Trends".

 

This movement towards newer materials will not only reduce the reliance on a narrow supply chain, with China currently being responsible for producing around 85% of silicon modules, wafers, and ingots worldwide, but open up possibilities for the integration of solar cells within a number of new applications.

 

The creation of flexible solar power technology sees thin film photovoltaic materials, anywhere between 5 and 500nm, layered onto a substrate which is chosen for the desired flexibility. Glass, plastic, or metal, are some examples of potential substrates, which can allow the modules to be lightweight, flexible, and suitable for curved surfaces and more delicate applications. Self-powered electronics, windows, and the sides of buildings, are amongst some examples or where thin film photovoltaics could be integrated to increase power efficiency.

 

Despite the current market share remaining low for thin film PV, future increases in energy demands, alongside worldwide decarbonization efforts and energy security concerns, are all expected to play a role in driving the uptake of the technology. IDTechEx's report provides research into the emerging thin film solar technologies and their manufacturing methods.

 

 

Perovskites are a family of materials with certain structures, typically made from lead organohalides. They are able to be opto-electronically active when used in photovoltaics, while the thin nature of perovskite active layers enables them to be sheet-to-sheet or roll-to-roll compatible, described as such in IDTechEx's report, "Perovskite Photovoltaic Market 2025-2035: Technologies, Players & Trends". They are an increasingly desirable option for thin film PV technology, as their processing can be made automated and easily scalable.

 

The synthesis of perovskites, necessary for them to be used in photovoltaic applications, can be done with more abundant and less costly materials than would be required with other thin-film technologies, including silicon. For applications with weight limitations and the need for flexibility, such as for wireless electronics, perovskite could be a preferred material choice. However, IDTechEx states that the benefits and efficiency of perovskite materials for photovoltaics could be best extracted when used as an enhancer for silicon solar panels, to avoid an efficiency plateau.

 

IDTechEx reports that between 2010 and 2023, the solar photovoltaics capacity grew at a compound annual growth rate of 31.8%, which was over double that of wind power. One of the largest jumps in growth was between 2022 and 2023, highlighting the more recent investments and government initiatives that have taken place, in line with the trends of sustainability and decarbonization. The report, "Perovskite Photovoltaic Market 2025-2035: Technologies, Players & Trends", maps out global trends and targets for renewable energy across regions including the UK, the EU, the US, Japan, and China.

 

For more information on photovoltaics and other sources of renewable energy, visit IDTechEx's portfolio of Energy & Decarbonization Research Reports.