Size doesn’t matter for niche thin-film market

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

A number of smaller thin-film applications will be collectively worth 1.2GW by 2024, according to a new study by Lux Research.

The report, Into the Niche: Putting a Magnifying Glass on PV’s Tiniest Markets, uncovered a number of emerging specialist opportunities for manufacturers. The largest of these is building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

“Technology barriers including the need for high-quality barrier films, and integrators’ hesitance, have slowed growth in these markets to date,” said Edward Cahill, Lux Research analyst and lead author of the report.

“Market adoption has been limited and will remain small relative to conventional solar demand, but the niche application can be a profitable side business that supports a core business market,” he added.

The report also found that building facades are the fastest growing BIPV segment although solar roofing tiles will be the largest with 425MW deployed by 2024. Facades will however close the gap with 407MW deployed by 2024.

The market for chargers for electronics will grow 31-fold by 2024 to 125MW in 2024.

EMEA will be the largest niche PV market – growing from 66MW in 2013 to 505MW in 2024. However, Asia-Pacific will grow faster, from 27MW to 315MW, with growth in the Americas market more steady (61MW to 340MW).

Read Next

July 18, 2025
The average price of solar panels used in distributed generation projects in the US reached US$0.27/W by the first half of the year.
July 18, 2025
Companies have signed 4.22GW of solar PV power purchase agreements in the first half of 2025, according to Swiss consultancy Pexapark.
July 18, 2025
PV Tech spoke with international buyers and investors on key industry issues such as new technology equipment procurement, supply chain management and ESG compliance.
Premium
July 18, 2025
Inside the European Solar Academy's steps to equip Europe’s workforce with necessary skills as it approaches its first anniversary.
July 18, 2025
Georgia Power’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) will see the utility aim to install 4GW of new renewable power capacity by 2035.
July 18, 2025
Decisions and actions related to the US Department of Interior (DoI) will ‘undergo elevated review’ of solar PV and wind facilities.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK