Abstract
As attention is being focused on the depletion of fossil fuels and the
problems of global warming, solar cells are expected to form the core of new
sources of energy. A combination of government incentives, interest in
investors in ' green and clean' technology coupled with growing demand from
consumers for cheaper alternatives to fossil fuels have ignited a boom in all
forms of solar energy.
This report is intended to provide an overview of the global solar
photovoltaic power generation market, providing detailed information on the
main drivers, trends, opportunities and challenges facing the sector. For
instance, one of the key issues for photovoltaic market is to reduce the ratio
of manufacturing cost to power output, and more specifically for solar
modules, the manufacturing cost per kWh. As this report indicates, as the
market and industry continues to grow and develop, such cost reductions are
being achieved through improvements in technology, economies of scale and
increased efficiency in all parts of the value chain.
Chapter 1 reviews solar power as an alternative source of energy,
defining the elements, benefits and challenges facing the industry. Solar
power is one of the cleanest electric generation sources, capable of
generating electricity without air or water emissions, noise, vibration,
habitat impact or waste generation.
Chapter 2 considers the market for solar photovoltaic power, defining
the key processes and issues. Photovoltaic technology, such as thin film solar
panels, converts sunlight into electricity. Growing concern for the climate
and the need for additional energy sources have made governments around the
world take measures to support investments in and use of renewable energy.
Chapter 3 considers the various market incentives and political
influences. It also reviews the current market opportunities and predictions
for solar photovoltaic power generation over the next few years alongside the
challenges and threats the industry is facing.
Chapter 4 considers the current status and prospects of the major
national solar markets, namely Germany, Spain, Japan, US, Italy, France, South
Korea and India.
Chapter 5 addresses a number of issues facing the solar photovoltaic
market. The solar photovoltaic market is one of fastest growing markets in the
renewable energy sector. Over the next decade or so, photovoltaics is on
course to become more and more cost competitive due to lower production costs
and long term stable technical systems.
Chapter 6 profiles the major manufacturers of solar cells and modules,
namely: Ascent Solar
Evergreen Solar Inc; First Solar; Kyocera Corporation; Mitsubishi Electric;
Motech Industries; Q-Cells AG; Renewable Energy Corporation; Sanyo Electric;
Sharp Corporation; SolarWorld AG; SunLink Corporation; Sunpower Corporation;
Suntech Power; and United Solar.
The scope of this report:
- Assesses the global trends in the demand for thin film photovoltaic
- Highlights some of the major investments being made by manufacturers in
terms of technology and R&D focus
- Describes the encapsulation materials being used for solar photovoltaics,
including EVA and PVB
- Discusses the current commercial status and future viability of the
photovoltaic industry
- Reviews status and prospects of the major national solar markets
- Profiles the major manufacturers of solar cells and modules
- Considers market incentives, political influences, challenges and threats
facing the photovoltaic industry
- Addresses the key issues facing the photovoltaic industry
- Although the solar power industry faces promising prospect for growth, it
must address some major challenges in commercializing organic photovoltaics.
The report includes comment and coverage of a range of manufacturers, setting
out how they are overcoming the major hurdles to commercialization.
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