Thin film PV manufacture to grow 7% annually

27 Jun 2012

Photovoltaic manufacturing equipment making is an "industry moving to consolidate" warns forecast.

The global thin film PV manufacturing equipment market will achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% between 2010-2015, according to market analyst SBI Reports.

In 2010, the global thin film PV manufacturing equipment market represented over $3 billion in annual sales to start-up and commercial PV producers; it posted a significant CAGR of 69% between 2006-2010. And although the market has exited the emerging phase and is projected to grow roughly 7% annually through 2015, the report concludes the industry is moving towards consolidation.

Emil Salazar, SBI analyst, commented, "The global PV supply chain and industries will take at least one year to re-adjust to the relatively flattened demand in Europe and to exploit other emerging markets in North America and East Asia."

Consolidation ahead

"During the market lull, photovoltaic producers are more likely to pursue consolidation strategies and continue product development rather than investing heavily in additional thin film production lines."

The report, SBI Bulletin: Thin Film PV Manufacturing Equipment Global Manufacturer Profiles, provides in-depth reviews and analysis of leading and emerging companies involved in thin film PV manufacturing equipment production, including their products, systems and turnkey production line suppliers.

Companies covered in the report include: Apollo Solar Energy Technology, Applied Materials, BTU International, Centrotherm Photovoltaics, GreenSolar, Grenzebach, Leybold Optics, Mirle Automation, Oerlikon Solar, Pall Corporation, Roth & Rau, Singulus, Tokyo Electron, ULVAC, Veeco Instruments, and others.

About the Author

Matthew Peach is a contributing editor to optics.org