| |
A-SI |
CIS / CIGS |
CdTe |
Standard |
| Full name |
Amorphous silicon |
Copper Indium(Gallium)
Diselenide |
Cadmium Telluride |
Crystalline silicon |
| Example of application |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Module efficiency |
5-8%; triple juncyion up to 10% |
9-12% |
7-10% |
13-18% |
| Capital costs(US$/Watt) |
US$ 2-3 |
US$ 2-3 |
US$ 1.5 |
US$ 0.80  |
| Manufacturing cost(US&/Watt) |
US$ 1.5-2 |
US$ 1.5-2 |
US$ 1.3-2 |
US$ 2.5-3 |
| Share of solar market(06) |
4.7% |
0.2% |
2.7% |
92.4% |
| Pros |
More mature, similar process to familiar TFT-LCD panels, uses 1/100 silicon of crystalline solar cells |
Thin and flexible, more efficient than A-SI |
Low manufacturing costs, relatively high efficiency in non-peak conditions |
Very mature technology, with well-established supply chains and technologies |
| Cons |
Low efficiency, durability |
Potential indium shortage |
Cadmium is toxic, potential tellurium shortage |
Raw material shortage has prevented natural price declines |
| Representative companies |
Energy Conversion Devices, Sharp, Kanaka, China Solar |
Nanosolar, DayStar, Miasole, Honda, Shell |
First solar, Antec |
Motech, E-Ton, Trina Solar, Suntech, Sharp, Q-Cells |
| Including ingot, wafer, cell and module making equipment, Down to US$1.5-all else being equal- if P-Si prices fall to five-year average, Source:International Energy Agency (IEA); photon International; CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets |
