Industry Developments that Sustain the Growth of Crystalline Silicon PV Output

摘要

Reductions in silicon wafer thickness and kerf loss in the sawing process will lower silicon feedstock consumption to around 0.9 kg/m2 by the year 2010. In combination with increased module efficiency, the PV output per kilogram of silicon feedstock should increase to around 160 Wp/kg. Together with increased production of polysilicon feedstock, the 2.5-fold increase in peak-Watt of output per kg silicon over the decade will continue to sustain the annual growth in PV.