Thin-film solar firms urged to expand into solar PV systems to stay abreast in today’s solar market

May 16, 2012
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A report from Digitimes has provided musings on how thin-film face an uphill battle in the current market.  According to the report, solar firms will need to segue from being thin-film solar module providers to solar PV system project designers and suppliers in order to stay competitive. According to the report, as silicon-based solar product prices drop, thin-film solar products have been sidelined, especially during the past year.

The report notes that when the ratio of solar modules and balance of system for silicon-based solar systems was 1:2, thin-film PV systems were considered more competitive on the per-watt basis. However, as the ration became 3:1, according to Digitimes, thin-film solar products have lost their edge. The report goes on to counter that in order for thin-film solar firms to continue being relevant in the solar market, they must promote the conversion efficiency to surpass 12%. 

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