Increased efficiency and flexibility are two increasingly desirable qualities of photovoltaics, and the implementation of new materials and form factors could reshape the landscape of solar energy. IDTechEx's portfolio of Energy & Decarbonization Research Reports is home to the latest research into photovoltaics, alongside other growing renewable energy markets.
Broadening the landscape with thin-film photovoltaics
Developments within the photovoltaics sector have been made possible largely as a result of investments and government initiatives happening in line with increasing decarbonization efforts across a number of industries, including renewable energy. In recent years, solar photovoltaic manufacturing capacity was reported by IDTechEx to have increased at a compound annual growth rate of 31.8%, over double that of wind energy which stood at 14.2%.
There is a growing need for the trying out of new materials, as traditional silicon solar panels are becoming less suitable for advancing applications, with their weight and efficiency limits creating barriers to their furthered adoption.
Typical crystalline silicon solar cells have relatively complex structures with multiple layers, these include energy conversion layers like a core absorber layer, and a top and back junction layer. As a result, silicon solar cells can be rigid and heavy, and therefore not transferable to emerging, lightweight applications where solar power could be beneficial.
Thin-film photovoltaic technology sees thin layers of photovoltaic materials deposited onto a substrate of a desired material like glass, plastic, metal, with each layer being between 5 and 500nm. This remarkable thinness allows the modules to be flexible, opening up the possibilities for their diverse applications. As a result, thin-film technologies, previously unable to compete with silicon photovoltaics, are predicted to see more uptake in the next decade. Cadmium telluride is, as of 2025, reported to be the most popular of the emerging thin-film photovoltaic technologies, however perovskites are emerging as a popular option, and are predicted to take up a large portion of the PV market by 2035. IDTechEx's report, "Flexible Photovoltaics Market 2025-2035: Technologies, Players, and Trends", covers emerging thin-film technologies and the scope for bringing flexibility to a once-rigid technology.
Perovskites as a promising new material
Perovskites are a family of materials with specific structures that boast light weight and flexibility and can be used alongside silicon to enhance its performance. Their optoelectronically active nature enables them to convert light to electricity, while their low-cost synthesis and manufacturing also make them a favorable option for use within the market. IDTechEx's report, "Perovskite Photovoltaic Market 2025-2035: Technologies, Players & Trends", explores the introduction to these materials as a means of creating a pathway to increase efficiency and lower overall costs. These qualities are showcased further in their ability to be deposited as a thin-film with means such as solution-based sheet-to-sheet processes, creating the possibility for scalable and automatic manufacturing.
Single junction perovskite solar cells are described by IDTechEx as a good option for applications with weight limits and a need for flexibility. Vertical building integration and smart electronics that are self-powered are two examples of where thin-film perovskite solar cells could come in handy, where the need to change batteries is replaced with self-charging capabilities for ease of use and convenience. The report covers key takeaways concerning the stability of perovskites, including the increased use of additive engineering to improve intrinsic stability and reduce ion migration and the degradation of materials. Thin-film encapsulants are also described as an option in the development of flexible electronic devices, however both of these solutions are in the development stages. Polymer encapsulation is likely to be a simpler process for perovskite cells, as they have similar form factors and performance requirements to those of OLED devices, where the materials are already commercially available.
For more information, visit IDTechEx's portfolio of Energy & Decarbonization Research Reports for the latest research into solar and other developing energy technologies.
