Smart Coatings and Photovoltaics 2012
Summary
This report is part of NanoMarkets’ ongoing coverage of materials and markets in photovoltaics (PV). In this report, NanoMarkets examines the emerging opportunities for selling “smart” coatings into the solar panel industry. In this report we examine the potential for self-cleaning, self-healing, electrochromic and thermochromic coatings in the PV applications over the next eight years. It includes an assessment of where revenue generation will occur and which companies are likely to be the winners and losers in this space. The report also includes a detailed eight-year forecast of smart coating usage in the PV space, broken out by coated area and market value.
NanoMarkets has been covering the markets for PV materials for almost seven years and believes strongly that there are now growing opportunities to sell smart coatings into the PV sector. This report considers how smart coatings can create value for the PV industry under the changed circumstances that PV faces today, in which government subsidies are under threat and there are huge pressures to reduce PV costs across the industry.
In this environment, some PV module makers are seeking ways to differentiate themselves in a rapidly commoditizing market, such as through addition of self-cleaning or self-healing coatings to PV panels that improve performance and/or reduce cost-in-use. Others may seek to add new functionality to PV panels, such as by combining BIPV with an electrochromic smart window that enhances the value proposition of PV for end-users. Among firms discussed in this report are, Bayer MaterialScience, Cardinal Glass, Corning, Gentex, Nippon Sheet Glass, Nissan, PPG, Peer, SAGE Electrochromics, Saint-Gobain, and Soladigm.
This report is part of NanoMarkets’ ongoing coverage of materials and markets in photovoltaics (PV). In this report, NanoMarkets examines the emerging opportunities for selling “smart” coatings into the solar panel industry. In this report we examine the potential for self-cleaning, self-healing, electrochromic and thermochromic coatings in the PV applications over the next eight years. It includes an assessment of where revenue generation will occur and which companies are likely to be the winners and losers in this space. The report also includes a detailed eight-year forecast of smart coating usage in the PV space, broken out by coated area and market value.
NanoMarkets has been covering the markets for PV materials for almost seven years and believes strongly that there are now growing opportunities to sell smart coatings into the PV sector. This report considers how smart coatings can create value for the PV industry under the changed circumstances that PV faces today, in which government subsidies are under threat and there are huge pressures to reduce PV costs across the industry.
In this environment, some PV module makers are seeking ways to differentiate themselves in a rapidly commoditizing market, such as through addition of self-cleaning or self-healing coatings to PV panels that improve performance and/or reduce cost-in-use. Others may seek to add new functionality to PV panels, such as by combining BIPV with an electrochromic smart window that enhances the value proposition of PV for end-users. Among firms discussed in this report are, Bayer MaterialScience, Cardinal Glass, Corning, Gentex, Nippon Sheet Glass, Nissan, PPG, Peer, SAGE Electrochromics, Saint-Gobain, and Soladigm.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
E.1 “New” Opportunities for Smart Coatings in the PV Industry Since our Last Report
E.2 Maximizing Performance of PV through Smart Coatings
E.3 Longer-Term Potential for Added Functionality in Smart Coatings for PV
E.4 Why Flexible PV and BIPV Glass Matter to the Future of Smart Coatings in PV
E.5 Summary of Eight-Year Forecasts of Smart Coatings in PV Applications
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO SMART COATINGS IN PV APPLICATIONS
1.1 Introduction to this Report
1.1.1 Changes in the PV Market That May Influence the Adoption of Smart Coatings
1.1.2 How Smart Coatings Improve the Value Proposition for PV
1.1.3 Smart Coatings for Better Panel Performance
1.1.4 Smart Coatings and Added Functionality
1.2 Objectives and Scope of This Report
1.3 Methodology of this Report
1.4 Plan of this Report
CHAPTER TWO: MARKETS FOR SMART COATINGS THAT ENHANCE PV PERFORMANCE
2.1 Opportunities for Self-Cleaning Coatings in PV
2.1.1 The Value of Self-Cleaning PV
2.1.2 Technologies for Self-Cleaning Coatings
2.1.3 Suppliers of Technologies for Self-Cleaning of PV Panels
2.2 Opportunities for Self-Repairing Coatings in PV
2.2.1 The Value Proposition for Self-Repair in PV
2.2.2 Technologies for Self-Repairing Coatings
2.2.3 Suppliers of Technologies for the Self-Repair of PV Panels
2.3 How Smart Coatings Fit Into PV Production
2.3.1 Internal vs. External Smart Coatings
2.3.2 Opportunities by PV type
2.4 Key Points Made in this Chapter
CHAPTER THREE: MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMART-COATINGS THAT ADD FUNCTIONALITY TO PV
3.1 Adding Electrochromics to PV
3.1.1 Dimmability in BIPV Applications – Multifunctional Windows: Energy, Light, and Shading
3.1.2 Electrochromics in Off-Grid and Portable PV
3.1.3 Electrochromics for Improved Safety in PV Applications
3.1.4 Switchable and Dimmable Technologies
3.1.5 Challenges for Commercialization of Electrochromics in PV
3.2 Opportunities for Thermochromic Devices in PV
3.2.1 Improving the Safety of PV Panels and Protecting Investments with Thermochromics
3.3 Longer-Term Potential for Adding Functionality to PV
3.3.1 Emerging Smart Coatings Technologies
3.3.2 Adding PV to Displays and Lighting
3.4 Key Points Made in this Chapter
CHAPTER FOUR: EIGHT-YEAR FORECASTS OF SMART COATINGS FOR PV
4.1 Forecasting Methodology
4.1.1 Methodology
4.1.2 Scope of the Forecast
4.1.3 Data Sources
4.1.4 Alternative Scenarios
4.1.5 Differences from Earlier NanoMarkets Forecasts
4.2 Forecasts of Self-Repairing and Self-Cleaning Smart Coatings for PV
4.2.1 Self-Cleaning Smart Coatings
4.2.2 Self-Repairing Smart Coatings
4.3 Forecasts of Electrochromic and Thermochromic Smart Coatings for PV
4.3.1 Electrochromic and Switchable Smart Coatings
4.3.2 Thermochromic Smart Coatings
4.4 Summary of Forecasts
Abbreviations and Acronyms Used in This Report
About the Author
E.1 “New” Opportunities for Smart Coatings in the PV Industry Since our Last Report
E.2 Maximizing Performance of PV through Smart Coatings
E.3 Longer-Term Potential for Added Functionality in Smart Coatings for PV
E.4 Why Flexible PV and BIPV Glass Matter to the Future of Smart Coatings in PV
E.5 Summary of Eight-Year Forecasts of Smart Coatings in PV Applications
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO SMART COATINGS IN PV APPLICATIONS
1.1 Introduction to this Report
1.1.1 Changes in the PV Market That May Influence the Adoption of Smart Coatings
1.1.2 How Smart Coatings Improve the Value Proposition for PV
1.1.3 Smart Coatings for Better Panel Performance
1.1.4 Smart Coatings and Added Functionality
1.2 Objectives and Scope of This Report
1.3 Methodology of this Report
1.4 Plan of this Report
CHAPTER TWO: MARKETS FOR SMART COATINGS THAT ENHANCE PV PERFORMANCE
2.1 Opportunities for Self-Cleaning Coatings in PV
2.1.1 The Value of Self-Cleaning PV
2.1.2 Technologies for Self-Cleaning Coatings
2.1.3 Suppliers of Technologies for Self-Cleaning of PV Panels
2.2 Opportunities for Self-Repairing Coatings in PV
2.2.1 The Value Proposition for Self-Repair in PV
2.2.2 Technologies for Self-Repairing Coatings
2.2.3 Suppliers of Technologies for the Self-Repair of PV Panels
2.3 How Smart Coatings Fit Into PV Production
2.3.1 Internal vs. External Smart Coatings
2.3.2 Opportunities by PV type
2.4 Key Points Made in this Chapter
CHAPTER THREE: MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMART-COATINGS THAT ADD FUNCTIONALITY TO PV
3.1 Adding Electrochromics to PV
3.1.1 Dimmability in BIPV Applications – Multifunctional Windows: Energy, Light, and Shading
3.1.2 Electrochromics in Off-Grid and Portable PV
3.1.3 Electrochromics for Improved Safety in PV Applications
3.1.4 Switchable and Dimmable Technologies
3.1.5 Challenges for Commercialization of Electrochromics in PV
3.2 Opportunities for Thermochromic Devices in PV
3.2.1 Improving the Safety of PV Panels and Protecting Investments with Thermochromics
3.3 Longer-Term Potential for Adding Functionality to PV
3.3.1 Emerging Smart Coatings Technologies
3.3.2 Adding PV to Displays and Lighting
3.4 Key Points Made in this Chapter
CHAPTER FOUR: EIGHT-YEAR FORECASTS OF SMART COATINGS FOR PV
4.1 Forecasting Methodology
4.1.1 Methodology
4.1.2 Scope of the Forecast
4.1.3 Data Sources
4.1.4 Alternative Scenarios
4.1.5 Differences from Earlier NanoMarkets Forecasts
4.2 Forecasts of Self-Repairing and Self-Cleaning Smart Coatings for PV
4.2.1 Self-Cleaning Smart Coatings
4.2.2 Self-Repairing Smart Coatings
4.3 Forecasts of Electrochromic and Thermochromic Smart Coatings for PV
4.3.1 Electrochromic and Switchable Smart Coatings
4.3.2 Thermochromic Smart Coatings
4.4 Summary of Forecasts
Abbreviations and Acronyms Used in This Report
About the Author
LIST OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit E-1: Selected Smart Coatings Firms with PV Potential
Exhibit E-2: Summary of Forecasts for Smart Coatings in PV Applications 2012-2019
Exhibit 4-1: Forecasts for Self-Cleaning Coatings in PV Applications 2012-2019
Exhibit 4-2: Forecasts for Self-Repairing Coatings in PV Applications 2012-2019
Exhibit 4-3: Forecasts for Electrochromic Coatings in PV Applications 2012-2019
Exhibit 4-4: Forecasts for Thermochromic Coatings in PV Applications 2012-2019
Exhibit 4-5: Summary of Forecasts for Smart Coatings in PV Applications 2012-2019
Exhibit E-1: Selected Smart Coatings Firms with PV Potential
Exhibit E-2: Summary of Forecasts for Smart Coatings in PV Applications 2012-2019
Exhibit 4-1: Forecasts for Self-Cleaning Coatings in PV Applications 2012-2019
Exhibit 4-2: Forecasts for Self-Repairing Coatings in PV Applications 2012-2019
Exhibit 4-3: Forecasts for Electrochromic Coatings in PV Applications 2012-2019
Exhibit 4-4: Forecasts for Thermochromic Coatings in PV Applications 2012-2019
Exhibit 4-5: Summary of Forecasts for Smart Coatings in PV Applications 2012-2019
