-- Select x-Si module vendors continue to dominate installation markets. Improved polysilicon pricing should help cement crystalline silicon's advantage in most installation markets through next year. Players such as Sanyo Electric, SunPower and Sharp Electronics are best positioned to pursue tailored, high-efficiency products for the residential market. -- Thin-film PV will gain market share in commercial and utility. Aside from First Solar, the thin film PV market is wide open, with no companies clearly dominating and many at risk. Their future survival depends on how well they grow capacity, deliver performance and reliability, and prove cost competitive over x-Si. First Solar, meanwhile, will compete against x- Si module makers for utility-scale installations in the U.S. and China. -- A mixed bag of CIGS start-ups shows no clear leaders. As a group, CIGS start-ups show a range of technical value and business execution scores, but none have mastered both dimensions yet. Solibro and Solyndra offer strong technical value, but still lack the business execution to dominate the field. Similarly, Johanna Solar Technology and Showa Shell Sekiyu present convincing business execution scores, but haven't yet shown the differentiated technical value needed to make a true impact."Unlike the battery industry, where end applications are very diverse, solar is populated by a lot of module makers all targeting the same few applications: utility, commercial, and residential installations," said Schmidtke. "The Lux Innovation Grid will give readers a sense of who's ahead, who's behind, and who's just treading water." "Sorting Solar Module Makers on the Lux Innovation Grid" is part of the Lux Solar Intelligence service. Clients subscribing to this service receive ongoing research on market and technology trends, continuous technology scouting reports and proprietary data points in the weekly Lux Research Solar Journal, and on-demand inquiry with Lux Research analysts. About Lux Research Lux Research provides strategic advice and on-going intelligence for emerging technologies. Leaders in business, finance and government rely on us to help them make informed strategic decisions. Through our unique research approach focused on primary research and our extensive global network, we deliver insight, connections and competitive advantage to our clients. Visit www.luxresearchinc.com for more information.
Contact Information: Contact: Carole Jacques Lux Research, Inc. 617-502-5314 carole.jacques@luxresearchinc.com