Trade Resources Industry Views The Weak Solar Market Has Been Delaying Technological Improvements for Solar Firms

The Weak Solar Market Has Been Delaying Technological Improvements for Solar Firms

The weak solar market has been delaying technological improvements for solar firms. Despite the fact that N-type mono-crystalline high efficiency product may achieve a breakthrough that P-type mono- and multi-crystalline solar product cannot, most solar firms have been conservative in investing in new technologies.

Solar makers noted that high conversion efficiency has been one of the major goals for the solar industry. Due to physical limitations, the current mainstream type, namely the P-type mono- and multi-crystalline, has yet to achieve conversion efficiency above 20%. But N-type mono-crystalline does not have this type of physical limitation.

Taiwan-based solar firms stated that many firms have been reporting continuous net losses, so even if some firms are interested in developing N-type mono-crystalline solar products, they may not have the financial strength. In addition, solar cell price has been free-falling in the past two years, and most firms are concerned with the investment return.

Recently, Japan-based heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer (HIT) solar cell maker, Kaneka, reportedly plans to transfer technology to Taiwan-based firms. Taiwan-based firms have been cautiously evaluating the option because of financial concerns. And unlike Panasonic, Kaneka does not have experience in mass producing HIT solar cells, and therefore the investment risk of the cooperation is not low.

Source: http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20121213PD206.html
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Continuous Losses Cause Solar Firms to Shy Away From N-Type Mono-Crystalline Product Development