Photovoltaic (PV) modules prices dropped by 40 per cent in 2009. This is stimulating market demand, and has resulted in an annual compound growth rate for the grid-tied PV market of approximately 50 per cent. Predictions of the arrival of grid parity – the point at which photovoltaic electricity is equal to or cheaper than grid power – range from ‘any time now’ to ‘the next 5–10 years’ in the United States, Australia and southern Europe.

Several emerging solar technologies are promising to further push down costs. These technologies are being commercialised now, and large investments have been committed. The emerging technologies are, in many cases, a dramatic shift from the standard technologies that have driven the industry to date, yet they are commercially focused.

Roll-to-roll printing

One emerging technology is the printing of solar photovoltaic structures on sheets made from, for example, plastic. The printing may be performed roll-to-roll, similar to the way in which newsprint is printed. The achievable rates of production are staggering in comparison to the standard silicon wafer technologies, because roll-to-roll production is a continuous process. One company commercialising the technology is Solexant, which has recently raised $US41.5 million (approximately $47.6 million). The final product is a flexible sheet, which uses inorganic nanocrystals as the active photovoltaic material. Solexant expects to be able to sell the sheets at prices of around $US0.50 per watt (approximately $0.57). This is about half the cost of the lowest-price PV currently on offer. In the United States, for example, grid parity is considered to be around $US1 per watt (approximately $1.15).

Another company, Nanosolar, is developing a process to print solar cells made out of copper indium gallium selenide instead of the staple material, silicon. Over $US100million (approximately $114.7million) has been invested into Nanosolar.

Installation and supporting structures

The cost of PV modules is not the total cost of a PV system. Installation of the modules and their supporting structures account for approximately half the cost of a domestic-sized PV system. Many companies are attempting to integrate PV modules into building products because this eliminates some materials and labour, therefore reducing the total system cost. Konarka, for example, is using inkjet technology to produce plastic photovoltaic sheets that it will then integrate into windows, skylights, handrails, shades, and façades. Another company, Red Solar, is developing a thin-film cadmium telluride PV system for asphalt-shingled sloped roofs. The system is ‘plug-and-play’ and ‘snap-in/snap-out’, making it easy to install.

Building-integrated PV

One third of all greenhouse gas emissions are associated with buildings. Integrating PV may significantly reduce these building emissions. Additionally, a building with integrated PV may be more aesthetically acceptable than a building retrofitted with PV panels, and may significantly increase building value.

Concentrated PV systems

Another emerging technology is concentrated photovoltaic systems (CPV). The technology is attracting a lot of attention because of claims that it is cheaper than other solar technologies and does not consume water, like some solar thermal concentrator technologies do. This technology collects sunlight that falls on a collector and the collector concentrates the sunlight onto a PV-active region of relatively smaller area. Thus, the amount of active PV material, which is expensive, is greatly reduced. One company, Skyline Solar, uses a curved mirror to concentrate the sunlight. Another concentrated PV company, Amonix, uses lenses to concentrate the sunlight. Amonix has recently attracted large amounts of funding.

Establishing global IP positions

These are just some of the emerging solar technologies that are driving down costs and bringing forward the arrival of grid parity. The amount of solar innovation is staggering. Many of these companies have large numbers of patents to protect their inventions, and to further their commercial interests. Skyline Solar, for example, has at least ten patent applications, a far greater number than almost any other Australian solar company.

However, unless Australian companies improve their patent positions, they are increasingly likely to be left behind. In short, they will not have the bargaining chips to support their commercial roll-out.

In practice, it is unlikely that any single technology will be dominant and, if Australian players establish global IP positions, they too can be winners in this race.

Dr Justin Blows is a patent attorney at Griffith Hack.