International. In the shadows of a silicon-dominated field, other photovoltaic (PV) technologies have been drawing closer to the spotlight. Emerging PV applications, such as indoor energy harvesting and building-integrated PV, have specific requirements that will allow "thin-film" alternatives to thrive. IDTechEx analyzes this market.
Thin-film photovoltaics can offer several unique advantages, such as lighter weight, better indoor light conversion efficiency, simpler manufacturing, and potentially lower costs than conventional silicon photovoltaics. A particularly exciting opportunity is the role of thin-film photovoltaics in powering Internet of Things devices, a market expected to reach billions following the increasing intelligibility of home electronics and retailers.
Photovoltaics diversifies in emerging markets
Thin-film PV is expected to gain momentum in the coming years, with the market growing to $6.1 billion by 2033. Substantial progress has been made within the thin film sector, with increased efficiency and manufacturing processes becoming cheaper and simplified. New applications are being developed for which conventional silicon photovoltaics are not suitable due to its rigidity, volume and weight. These applications include photovoltaics integrated into buildings where panels are attached to the sides of buildings. Some types of thin-film photovoltaics can be made semi-transparent and very lightweight, which makes them less aesthetically annoying and ideal for implementation in windows.
Other emerging applications belong to the small self-powered electronics and Internet of Things (IoT) sector, which is expected to grow substantially in the coming years as 'smart' electronics become more prevalent in everyday life.
Lightweight thin-film mini-nodules can be used to power such devices and could serve as a more economical and durable alternative to batteries or extensive wiring. Many retail appliances and appliances, such as temperature, humidity, motion, and security sensors, are likely to become increasingly "smart" over the next decade and be able to transmit data to the cloud to enable greater functionality.
This is often referred to as the Internet of Things (IoT) and represents a substantial opportunity for thin-film photovoltaics. IDTechEx's new report, "Beyond Silicon: Thin Film Photovoltaics 2023-2033," explores the wide range of opportunities presented by thin-film photovoltaics.
What will dominate the thin film market?
Currently, the thin film market is dominated by cadmium telluride (CdTe), followed in second place by copper, indium gallium selenide (CIGS). CdTe is best known in the US, where it is used for 40% of all large-scale PV. Despite concerns about the use of the scarce tellurium element, the CdTe market is expected to maintain its position following strong investment and the creation of recycling initiatives that are currently already operational.
CIGS technology, on the other hand, has been plagued by business failures, with the largest manufacturer going on the market in June 2022. CIGS is expected to be overtaken in the coming years by perovskite PV, a very young and exciting technology that has shown remarkable efficiency gains in just a few years, with record efficiencies already on par with those of silicon photovoltaics, a technology with decades of research behind it. Perovskite PV is ideal for both outdoor high-power density applications and indoor energy harvesting and powering small electronic devices.
Organic photovoltaics and dye-sensitized solar cells are competitors that are already commercial on a small scale in both outdoor and indoor applications. Given their short lifespan of typically 5 years, organic and dye-sensitized solar cells are better suited for powering short-term use electronic devices rather than large-area outdoor energy harvesting units that are expected to last more than 15 years. For this reason, the range of application is limited.
Panorama
The decarbonization of global energy sources is catapulting as nations and industries compete to achieve net zero. While silicon PV is affordable for consumers and offers high efficiency, its application range is limited by its weight, size and rigidity, as well as a complicated manufacturing process.
Thin-film alternatives present numerous advantages to overcome these limitations and adapt to emerging applications, such as photovoltaics integrated in buildings and indoor energy harvesting.
