European Society for Quantum Solar Energy Conversion

Efficiencies of Solar Energy Devices and Statistics
Efficiencies
Patent Filings in the Field of Photovoltaics
Annual filings in the field of photovoltaics of patents filed in Europe (blue) and filed Worldwilde (red);
For comparison PV shipments in MWpeak:

Origin of the Patent Filings in Europe for the whole field of PV (including patent applications that have been filed dierectly with the EPO or at least in one of the EPO Member states: AL = Albania, AT = Austria, BE = Belgium, BG = Bulgaria, CH = Switzerland, CY = Cyprus, CZ = Czech republic, DE = Germany, DK = Denmark, EE = Estonia, ES = Spain, FI = Finland, FR = France, GB = United Kingdom, GR = Greece, HR = Croatia, HU = Hungary, IE = Ireland, IS = Iceland, IT = Italy, LI = Liechtenstein, LT = Lithuania, LU = Luxembourg, LV = Latvia, MC = Monaco, MK = Former Yugoslav Republic of Makedonia, MT = Malta, NL = Netherlands, NO = Norway, PL = Poland, PT = Portugal, RO = Romania, SE = Sweden, SI = Slovenia, SK = Slovakia, SM = San Marino, SR = Serbia (as of 1.10.2010), TR = Turkey; or one of the Extension States: BA = Bosnia and Herzegovina, ME = Montenegro; WO = PCT Patent Application, but not including applications that have only been filed outside Europe: US = USA, JP = Japan, CN = China, AU = Australia, KR = Korea, TW = Taiwan, NZ = New Zealand, CA = Canada, IL = Israel.)

Origin of the Patent Filings - Worldwide for the whole field of PV
Origin of Patent Applications Filed in Europe - All Type of PV; Filing Figures for Four Decades (cummulative numbers based on priority applications; only one count per patent family)
Patent Applications in Europe - Organic and Dye Sensitized Solar Cells:

Origin of Patent Applications in Europe - Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Origin of Patent Applications in Europe - Organic Solar Cells
Further Statistics
Wordlwide Shipments of Photovoltac Modules (MWp)

Country 1991 1993 1995 1996 1997199819992000 2001200220032004 20052006200720082009
Europe 13.0 17.0 21.6 19.0 27.5 35.8 40.0 60.66 86.38 135.05 210.35 315
Japan 18.7 17.0 19.5 21.5 31.0 47.580.0128.6 171.22251.07363.91602
USA 16.2 21.0 32.4 39.0 50.5 58.2 60.08 74.97 100.32 120.6 103.02 139
Other 6.0 6.0 7.5 9.0 13.0 16.3 20.5 23.42 32.62 55.05 83.8 240
Total 54.0 61.0 81.0 88.5 122.0 157.4 201.3 287.65 390.54 561.77 761.08 1256 1815 2536 4279 6000 8000

Worldwide photovoltaic module manufactoring activity (MWp) for different materials:

Country Material1996 1997 1998
Europe a-Si 1.5 3.4 3.4
c-Si 17.5 24.1 32.4
Japan a-Si9.9 8.0 9.3
c-Si 10.6 21.5 36.2
CdTe 1.0 1.5 2.0
USA a-Si1.6 2.9 3.8
c-Si 35.4 43.1 48.7
Concentrator 0.3 0.3 0.3
CdTe 0.2 0.2 0.2
Ribbon Si 1.5 4.0 5.0
Othera-Si 2.04.0 4.0
c-Si 7.09.0 12.3

Furthermore, manufactoring capacities are planed to be increased by 263,5 MW by the year 2000:

Company CountryMaterial CapayityCompletation
ANTECGermany CdTe Thin Film10 MW2000
ASE GmbHGermany Ribbon Si25 MW2000
Energy PhotovoltaicsGermany CIS Thin Film5 MW1999
Shell/pilkingtonGermany poly-Si25 MW1999
PhotowattFrance single-Si5 MW1998
Energy PhotovoltaicsHungary a-Si5 MW1999
Pacific SolarAustralia Si-Film20 MW2000
KyoceraJapan poly-Si18 mW1998
MatsushitaJapan single-Si5 MW1998
SharpJapan single-Si14 MW1998
SharpJapan a-Si24 MW1998
ASE AmericaUSA Ribbon-Si14 MW1998
BP SolarUSA CdTe Thin Film10 MW1998
Global Solar EnergyUSA CIS Thin Film1.5 MW1998
Iowa Thin FilmUSA a-Si1 MW1997
Siemens SolarUSA single-Si6 MW1998
SolarexUSA poly-Si14 MW-
SolarexUSA a-Si10 MW1997
Solec InternationalUSA single-Si16 MW2000
United SolarUSA a-Si5 MW1997
PB Solar- -30 MW2000

Source: Photovoltaic Insider's Report,February 1998, January 1999

Company200120022003 2004
BP Solar54.273.870.2385.0
Kyocera54.060.072.0105.0
Sharp75.02123.07198.0324.0
Shell Solar39.057.573.072.0
General Electric26.029.717.025.0
Sanyo19.035.035.065.0
Isofoton18.0227.3535.265.0
Photowatt14.024.040.075.0
Schott Solar23.029.542.063.0
Mitsubishi14.024.040.075.0
Monotech---35.0
Suntech---28.0
Deutsche Cell--1728.0
Q. Cells--28.075.0
European Society for Quantum Solar Energy Conversion
E-mail: secretary.general@quantsol.org