Abstract
Description
PV industry Status & Trends Position of thin film CIS/CIGS technology
within the tough PV market
STILL UNLOCKED POTENTIAL FOR CIS TECHNOLOGY
Photovoltaic (PV) modules became a commodity market and numerous PV products
based on various PV technologies are commercially available. Although
crystalline silicon PV maintains its leading position, CIS (sometimes designed
also as CIGS) thin film PV, based on copper-indium-gallium-selenium(sulfur),
reveals increased interest due to its unlocked potential for high efficiency
and low manufacturing costs. However, much effort is necessary to overcome
some barriers related to the complexity of this technology and its
manufacturing. The report provides a detailed analysis of different CIS
technology approaches and of the CIS position amongst all PV technologies.
CIS VARIETY PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL SUPPLIERS
In contrary to crystalline silicon PV, which largely profited from the
equipment and know-how developed in silicon microelectronic industry, CIS
technology approaches are still very dispersed and based on different
materials, cell architectures, module design and manufacturing equipment.This
represents many challenges, but also market opportunity for numerous material
and equipment suppliers. Almost every CIS module manufacturer is using
different manufacturing approach, often based on a proprietary equipment or
process. It is therefore important to understand the advantages and challenges
of these approaches in order to determine the possible market value for
various materials (metal foil, precursors, encapsulation, moisture barrier
film...) and equipment (sputter tool, annealing furnace, wet bench...).
Therefore, numerous technologies are analyzed in our report regarding the
technology and its manufacturing issues and also in close connection to the
possible applications of resulting products. This helps to understand the real
market potential of the final product. In fact, different technologies are
more or less adapted for manufacturing of divers products (monolithic rigid
modules, rigid modules assembled from cells, flexible modules...), which are
suited for various PV applications (rooftop installations, Building-Integrated
PV, facades, commercial roofs, large ground-mounted PV power plants...).
Special focus is made on the flexible CIS cells: their low-cost manufacturing
potential and application demand.
CIS ABSORBER LAYER IS THE KEY ELEMENT IN THE CIS MANUFACTURING
The key process step in the CIS cell/module manufacturing is the deposition of
CIS absorber layer. The CIS absorber deposition tool and process is also the
main differentiation factor between CIS manufacturers. Although some novel
approaches based on non-vacuum process, promising lower manufacturing costs,
have been introduced in industrial production (nanoparticle ink-printing,
electrodeposition), well established processes still rely on vacuum deposition
(coevaporation, sputtering). One of the main barriers in CIS technology
development is the lack of adapted equipment and process. This is related to
the relatively short experience of equipment manufacturers with CIS
technology. Many proprietary approaches developed by CIS manufacturers are too
complex to be cost-competitive and companies using them are struggling with
low manufacturing yields, high manufacturing costs and low module
efficiencies. This opens opportunity for equipment suppliers with strong CIS
background, which can supply both equipment and working process. The report
analyses and compares single equipment and turnkey line approaches.
CIS MANUFACTURING UNDERGOES A STRONG INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION
There are big differences between the technological advancement of different
CIS manufacturers. About 40 CIS companies are producing modules, but only few
of them have reached 10+ MWp/y production and most of them are still
struggling with low module efficiency and low manufacturing yield. Most small
companies, in the past heavily backed in by Venture Capital funds will
probably not survive the on-going price pressure in the PV market. Therefore,
the main technology players from Europe and USA are partnering with Asian
investors in order to finance the manufacturing capacity increase and further
product development. The companies investing in CIS are reviewed in our report
and company profiles of CIS manufacturers allow an easy comparison of their
technology, products, module efficiency, manufacturing capacity and production
volume. A technology and business development comparison of CIS manufacturers,
as well as technology development (Cd-free CIS cells, CZTS cells, etc.) and
business strategy are also presented.
KEY FEATURES OF THE REPORT
- Overview of the currently ongoing PV market and technology consolidation
allowing better understanding of the customer needs and proper evaluation of
the strategies to be chosen by equipment suppliers and module manufacturers to
face the tough competition in the PV market.
- Detailed overview of the different processes, equipment and materials used
in the CIS module manufacturing with focus on manufacturing techniques for CIS
absorber layer deposition (coevaporation, sputtering, electrodeposition,
nanoparticle ink printing).
- Deep analysis of different CIS technologies and market approaches
considering both manufacturing technologies and possible applications of CIS
modules.
- Market metrics 2011-2017 for CIS technology (in MWp and M$).
- Company profiles of 23 CIS manufacturers, analysis and comparison of
technology and business development of different PV manufacturers.
REPORT OUTLINE
- Overview of the currently ongoing PV market and technology consolidation
allowing better understanding of the customer needs and proper evaluation of
the strategies to be chosen by equipment suppliers and module manufacturers to
face the tough competition in the PV market.
- Detailed overview of the different processes, equipment and materials used
in the CIS module manufacturing with focus on manufacturing techniques for CIS
absorber layer deposition (coevaporation, sputtering, electrodeposition
nanoparticle ink printing).
- Deep analysis of different CIS technologies and market approaches
considering both manufacturing technologies and possible applications of CIS
modules.
- Market metrics 2011-2017 for CIS technology (in MWp and M$).
- Company profiles of 23 CIS manufacturers, analysis and comparison of
technology and business development of different PV manufacturers.
WHO SHOULD BUY THIS REPORT?
- Equipment, Material and Component Suppliers
- Learn about CIS technology and its market potential.
- Identify the best CIS manufacturers to optimize your marketing efforts.
- Evaluate the market potential for your products.
- Strength your market position by focusing on the winning technology
approaches.
- Re-think your technology and market strategy to best fit the market
needs.
- PV module manufacturers
- Understand the real potential of CIS technology.
- Learn about the best technology approaches and how to deal with
challenges of CIS technology.
- Investors and newcomers in CIS manufacturing
- Understand the real potential of CIS technology.
- Secure your investment by focusing on the winning technology approaches.
COMPANY INDEX
44Solar, 4Jet, AQT Solar, AIST, AVACO, Avancis, Axuntek Solar Energy, Bosch
Solar, CEA, Centrotherm, Ceres Technologies, Daystar Technologies, EMPA,
ENSCP, ESI, FLISOM, Glaesum Group, Global Solar Energy, Grenzebach, HelioVolt,
Honda Soltec, Hyundai Heavy Industries, HZB, IMN, Innolas, ISET, Johanna Solar
Technologies, KAIST, Leybold Optics, Lotus Systems, Manz, Meco, MiaSole,
Nanosolar, Nexcis, Odersun, Q-CELLS, RENA, RITEK, Screen Solar, Singulus, Smit
Ovens, Solar Frontier, Solarion, Solibro, SoloPower, Soltecture, Stangl,
Stion, Sunshine, Sunvim, TFG Radiant, TSMC Solar, ULVAC, Veeco, Von Ardenne,
Wurth Solar, Yohkon Energia...
Benefits
REPORT OUTLINE
- Overview of the currently ongoing PV market and technology consolidation
allowing better understanding of the customer needs and proper evaluation of
the strategies to be chosen by equipment suppliers and module manufacturers to
face the tough competition in the PV market.
- Detailed overview of the different processes, equipment and materials used
in the CIS module manufacturing with focus on manufacturing techniques for CIS
absorber layer deposition (coevaporation, sputtering, electrodeposition
nanoparticle ink printing).
- Deep analysis of different CIS technologies and market approaches
considering both manufacturing technologies and possible applications of CIS
modules.
- Market metrics 2011-2017 for CIS technology (in MWp and M$).
- Company profiles of 23 CIS manufacturers, analysis and comparison of
technology and business development of different PV manufacturers
WHO SHOULD BUY THIS REPORT?
- Equipment, Material and Component Suppliers
- Learn about CIS technology and its market potential.
- Identify the best CIS manufacturers to optimize your marketing efforts.
- Evaluate the market potential for your products.
- Strength your market position by focusing on the winning technology
approaches.
- Re-think your technology and market strategy to best fit the market
needs.
- PV module manufacturers
- Understand the real potential of CIS technology.
- Learn about the best technology approaches and how to deal with
challenges of CIS technology.
- Investors and newcomers in CIS manufacturing
- Understand the real potential of CIS technology.
- Secure your investment by focusing on the winning technology approaches.
Table of Contents
Table of abbreviations
Why this report?
Content of the report
Introduction
Executive summary
PV Industry Status & Trends
- Development status for different PV technologies
- Subsidized PV market is submitted to market cycles
- Market & technology consolidation
CIS amongst other PV technologies
- Presentation of CIS technology
- Comparison of PV technologies
CIS manufacturing technologies et materials
- Introduction
- CIS cell structures
- CIS cell structures - flexible cells
- Overview of manufacturing process steps and deposition techniques
- CIS module manufacturing process flow
- Substrates
- Back contact
- CIS absorber layer
- Buffer layer
- High resistivity oxide layer
- Front-side transparent electrode
- Scribing
- Edge deletion and film edge removal
- Module assembly
- Flexible module assembly
- Examples of manufacturing process flows
- Turnkey line - Centrotherm
- Turnkey line - Manz
- Single equipment vs. turnkey line
- Roll-to-roll versus on-glass manufacturing
- Conclusion
CIS Market
- PV market forecast
- PV technology market shares
- CIS market forecast
- CIS value chain
- CIS manufacturing costs
- Cost reduction factors
- Raw material availability
- Flexible CIS modules
Financing of CIS technology
CIS technology roadmap
CIS Applications
CIS company profiles
General conclusion
Thin Film Photovoltaics CIS/CIGS Technology & Market published by Yole Developpement in June 30, 2012. This report price starts from US $ 5390.
