Is Thin-Film PV Dead? Costs and Competitiveness in a Low-Cost Module Market

No other PV technology has seen as many false fits and starts or held as much promise as thin-film PV. While First Solar has demonstrated the scalability and low cost potential of thin-film PV, as of yet, no other thin-film PV manufacturers has been able to replicate First Solar's success. With the current PV module oversupply environment, which caused module ASPs to free fall by over 40% in 2011, accelerating the speed at which thin film manufacturers need to reach efficiency, scale, yield, and ultimately cost targets, the potential of thin-film PV has been significantly undermined. What happened to the promise that thin-film PV once held, who will survive the imminent shakeout, and does thin-film's value proposition still hold true in the brave new module manufacturing market?

Presenting data from GTM Research's latest thin-film PV market research report of the same name, Senior Analyst MJ Shiao examines the fundamental cost structure, and ultimately the fate of thin-film PV technologies and manufacturers. Find out more about the report by visiting the report website.