We report here on the major commercialization aspects of thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technologies based on CIGS and CdTe (a-Si and thin-Si are also reported for completeness on the status of thin-film PV). Worldwide silicon (Si) based PV technologies continues to dominate at more than 94% of the market share, with the share of thin-film PV at less than 6%. However, the market share for thin-film PV in the United States continues to grow rapidly over the past several years and in CY 2006, they had a substantial contribution of about 44%, compared to less than 10% in CY 2003. In CY 2007, thin-film PV market share is expected to surpass that of Si technology in the United States. Worldwide estimated projections for CY 2010 are that thin-film PV production capacity will be more than 3700 MW. A 40-MW thin-film CdTe solar field is currently being installed in Saxony, Germany, and will be completed in early CY 2009. The total project cost is Euro 130 million, which equates to an installed PV system price of Euro 3.25/-watt averaged over the entire solar project. This is the lowest price for any installed PV system in the world today. Critical research, development, and technology issues for thin-film CIGS and CdTe are also elucidated in this paper.
Series statement
NREL/CP ; 520-42058
Uniform title
Conference paper (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (U.S.)) ; 520-42058.
Alternative title
Thin film copper indium gallium diselenide and cadmium telluride photovoltaic technologies
Title from title screen (viewed on March 24, 2008).
"September 2007."
"To be presented at the 22nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (PVSEC) and Exhibition, Milan, Italy, September 3-7, 2007."
Additional formats (note)
Full text available via Internet in .pdf format. Adobe Acrobat Reader required.
System details (note)
Mode of access: Internet from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory web site. Address as of 3/24/08: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/42058.pdf; current access available via PURL.