The burgeoning market for chemicals and materials used in solar cells and modules is expected to grow to $16.9 billion in 2015, up from $6.5 billion in 2010, according to a jointly prepared report from  SEMI and Linx-AEI Consulting.

Global demand for solar power will more than triple by 2015, propelling demand for materials used in  crystalline silicon and thin film solar modules.  The Chemicals & Materials for Photovoltaic Cells and Modules report details the demand for silicon, slurries, gases, wet chemicals, precursors, dopants, and other materials.

While the solar materials market grew by 114 percent in 2010, to $6.5 billion, growth will slow in 2011 as PV module demand in Germany adjusts to new incentive policies and declining module prices. Growth will pick up in 2012 as new markets emerge, according to the report.

The report outlines key PV technology developments and their implications for materials supply and innovation. In crystalline silicon, vendors are seeking more efficient diamond wire sawing, texturization processes, selective emitter schemes, plating technologies, ion implant and passivation layer technologies.  In thin film modules, the report outlines improvements in manufacturing technologies for tandem junction silicon and CIGS (copper indium gallium (di)selenide) which will lead to increasing competition for the segment-leading CdTe-based cells. Also, novel technologies for light capture and moisture protection in moduling have added value to traditional materials, while novel backside contact approaches may require significant material redesign, the report said.

Information is available from Melody Song (msong@semi.org, 408.943.7949), or Mike Corbett (mcorbett@linx-consulting.com, 973.437.4517).

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