NanoMarkets Projects Substantial Growth Potential for Smart Coatings in PV Applications

Industry analyst firm NanoMarkets announces the release of its latest report on materials for the photovoltaics industry, "Smart Coatings in PV Applications 2012." NanoMarkets estimates that the total market for transparent conductors (TCs) in PV will exceed $450 million ($US) in 2017, up from a value of under $12 million in 2012.

This report analyzes the opportunities for smart coatings in PV applications, with a focus on the four types of smart coatings poised to bring the most value to the PV sector: self-cleaning, self-repairing, electrochromic, and thermochromic coating systems. The report also discusses the strategies of some of the important and emerging suppliers or users of smart coating including: Almaden, Cardinal Glass, Gentex, Lotus Leaf Coatings, nanoShell, Nippon Glass, Nissan, Peer+, Pilkington/AGC, PPG, SAGE, Saint-Gobain, Soladigm, and others.

Additional details about the report are available at: http://www.nanomarkets.net/market_reports/report/smart_coatings_and_photovoltaics_2012

NanoMarkets has recently released related photovoltaics reports in the areas of BIPV glass, transparent conductors and CIGS.

From the Report:

While NanoMarkets sees the overall PV market slowing and facing future uncertainty, the firm believes that PV makers can improve their competitive position and growth prospects by looking to smart coatings that can improve basic PV performance and provide value-added functionality.

The integration of some kinds of smart coatings, especially self-cleaning ones, can cost-effectively increase conversion efficiencies, which have a direct and measurable affect on cost-per-watt. According to NanoMarkets’ new report, self-cleaning coatings are expected to almost $150 million in annual revenue from the PV sector by 2017.

Other, more sophisticated (and higher value) smart coatings can provide additional functionality that enables PV panel makers to create “premium” products and differentiate themselves in a rapidly commoditizing, and homogenizing, marketplace. These added functionality coatings include dimmable or “switchable” electrochromic, thermochromic, and related coating systems. Electrochromic systems are a natural fit for BIPV and advanced BIPV/smart window applications. Electrochromics in PV are predicted to generate over $190 million in annual revenue by 2017.

About NanoMarkets:

NanoMarkets tracks and analyzes emerging market opportunities in energy, electronics and other markets created by developments in advanced materials. The firm is a recognized leader in industry analysis and forecasts of this kind and has been covering the photovoltaics sector for more than six years.

Visit http://www.nanomarkets.net for a full listing of NanoMarkets' reports and other services.

Media Contact:
Robert Nolan
NanoMarkets, LC
PO BOX 3840
Glen Allen, VA 23058
804-270-1718