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Solar horizons

We’ve heard a lot this week about photovoltaics, and in particular about the role that lasers have to play in their fabrication. At the Lasers and Photonics Marketplace Seminar on Monday, Newport’s Dave Clark explained how laser scribing is an essential technology for the manufacture of emerging thin-film solar cells, while a visit to the Coherent booth on Tuesday revealed that this company also sees big potential in the photovoltaic market.

So it was interesting when yesterday’s executive panel debated whether photovoltaics offer a real opportunity for laser manufacturers, or whether it’s all just a chimera. Moderator Steve Eglash pointed out that the solar market is currently worth $15 bn worldwide, and that the solar sector has already seen a number of successful IPOs. He himself has “voted with his feet”, being CEO of solar start-up Cyrium Technologies.

Others were more cautious. Newport’s director for strategic marketing, Randy Hyler, clearly sees an opportunity for laser makers, but believes it will be a long-term play. Certainly, lasers aren’t crucial for the manufacture of silicon solar cells, which continue the dominate the market, which means that companies such as Newport might need to wait until thin-film versions become more popular.

Hyler also pointed out that 99% of solar cell deployments have so far been in Japan and Germany, where government rebates have made the finances look more attractive. The danger, he says, is that demand will fall away once these programs have run their course.

Meanwhile, Stuart Schoenmann, CEO of CVI Melles Griot, says that he is “still evaluating” the market opportunity. Interestingly, CVI Melles Griot is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Schott is currently building a solar factory.

Perhaps the most sceptical was Trumpf’s Holger Schlueter, who referred to the rush for photovoltaics as a “solar craze”. He also maintains that there’s no point investing in renewable energy sources without stable power grids and storage.

Posted by Susan Curtis on January 24, 2008 5:12 PM | Permalink