Thin Film a-Si Solar Cell Key Patent Analysis

This publication has been discontinued on September 5, 2011.

Introduction

Abstract

The PV industry has shown more than 30% annual growth rate in the past two to three years due to the global PV industry boom and shows a promising future. However, it appears to have difficulties in rapid distributions due to insufficient p-Si, a raw material, volume and low solar cell conversion efficiency. The PV unit cost is 3 to 4 times more expensive than other renewable energies and 6 to 10 times more expensive than fossil fuels.

In order to resolve such issues, solar cell makers focus in next-generation solar cells such as thin film a-Si solar cells which minimize Si materials, CdTe based solar cells, CIS/CIGS based solar cells, and flexible thin film solar cells to cut the cell manufacturing cost. Of this, the thin film a-Si solar cell technology is recognized as a research field to manufacture inexpensive high efficiency solar cells to innovatively enhance the PV economic efficiency by replacing expensive crystalline silicon solar cell. Recently, there have been large-scale investments made in this field. It is being produced in countries focused in Japan, Taiwan, and Europe.

Displaybank published "Thin Film a-Si Solar Cell Technology" regarding such thin film a-Si solar cell technology. It analyzed the technology targeting released and registered WIPS DB patents in Korea, Japan, Europe, and U.S. from 1977 to October 31, 2008 along with INPADOC and G-PAT patent database.

This report categorized the thin film a-Si solar cell technology basically by major maker and applicant. The technology was divided into -RaSubstrate, -RaTransparent Electrode, -RaMetal Electrode, -RaAbsorption Layer, -RaInterlayer, -RaStructure, -RaLaser Scribing, -RaModule technology. Specially, this report analyzed the key patent of thin film a-Si solar cell manufacturing technology applied by major makers by yearly flow chart that it allowed readers to understand major technologies' development trend and patent rights at one glance.

Table of Contents

1. Thin Film a-Si Solar Cell Technology

• 1.1. Thin Film ¥a-Si Solar Cell Manufacturing Process
• 1.2. Homogeneous Junction & Heterogeneous Junction Solar Cell (Single, Tandem, Triple junction)
• 1.3. Flexible Solar Cell & Roll to Roll Technology

2. Analysis Criteria and Analysis Scope

• 2.1. Analysis Criteria
• 2.2. Final Valid Data Status
• 2.3. Technical Classification

3. Patent Activity Analysis

• 3.1. Overall Patent Activities
• 3.2. Application Trends of Technology

4. Patent Activities by Assignee

• 4.1. Applications in Sanyo Electric
• 4.2. Applications in Fuji Electric
• 4.3. Applications in Sharp
• 4.4. Applications in Hitachi
• 4.5. Applications in Canon
• 4.6. Others
  • 4.6.1. Kaneka' s Applications by Technology
  • 4.6.2. Matsushita Electrics Applications by Technology
  • 4.6.3. Agency of Industry Science & Technols Applications by Technology
  • 4.6.4. Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals Applications by Technology
  • 4.6.5. Mitsubishi Heavys Applications by Technology

5. Patent Analysis Index

• 5.1. Overview
• 5.2. TCT & SL Analysis
• 5.3. R&D Trends by Country
• 5.4. Marketability Analysis by Technology
• 5.5. Patent Competitiveness Trends by Assignee

6. In-Depth Analysis

• 6.1. Analysis Outline
  • 6.1.1. Selection Criterion and Scope
• 6.2. In-depth Analysis by Technology
  • 6.2.1. Patent Summary of Substrate Technology
  • 6.2.2. Transparent Electrode
  • 6.2.3. Patent Summary of Transparent Electrode Technology
  • 6.2.4. Metal Electrode
  • 6.2.5. Patent Summary of Metal Electrode Technology
  • 6.2.6. Absorption Layer
  • 6.2.7. Patent Summary of Absorption Layer Technology
  • 6.2.8. Interlayer
  • 6.2.9. Patent Summary of Interlayer Technology
  • 6.2.10. Structure
  • 6.2.11. Patent Summary of Structure Technology
  • 6.2.12. Laser Scribing and Module
  • 6.2.13. Patent Summary of Laser Scribing Technology
  • 6.2.14. Patent Summary of Module Technology
• 6.3. In-depth Analysis of Top5 Assignee
  • 6.3.1. Overview
  • 6.3.2. Sanyo Electric
  • 6.3.3. Canon
  • 6.3.4. Solarex
  • 6.3.5. Amoco Enron Solar
  • 6.3.6. Fuji Electric
• 6.4. In-depth Analysis of Major Companies (Modules, Equipment)
  • 6.4.1. Patent Status of Major Module Companies
  • 6.4.2. Sharp
  • 6.4.3. Kaneka
  • 6.4.4. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
  • 6.4.5. Fuji Electric Systems
  • 6.4.6. Sanyo Electric
• 6.5. Patent Status of Major Equipment Companies
  • 6.5.1. Applied Materials
• 6.6. Others

7. Conclusion

• 7.1. Trend of Technology Development
• 7.2. Technology Development Prospects

Related Reports