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Since 2003 total PV production grew in average by almost 50%,
whereas the thin film segment – starting from a very low level –
grew by almost 80% and reached 196 MW or 8% of total PV
production in 2006. The high growth rate of thin film production
and increase of the total production share indicate that the
thin film technology is gaining more and more acceptance. A thin
film market share of 25% to 30% in 2010 seems not to be
unrealistic. This takes into account the fact that more and more
PV manufacturers are diversifying their production portfolio.
The ongoing shortage in silicon feedstock and the market entry
of companies offering turn-key production lines for thin film
solar cells led to a massive expansion of investments into thin
film capacities. WTC, a consulting company based in Munich,
Germany, has identified more than 130 companies which are
involved in the thin film solar cell production process ranging
from R&D activities to major manufacturing plants.
PV Production Capacities 2006 and planned production capacity
increases
(Source: < PV Status Report 2007>, Institute for Environment and
Sustainability, Renewable Energies Unit.)
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