Next-Generation Solar Cells: Perovskite solar cells (PSCs), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), organic thin-film photovoltaic (OPV), and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs)

R&D institutions

The government announced its intention to promote public and private investments in the 17 strategic fields. Next-generation solar cells are expected to receive 4.1 trillion yen in investments from the private and public sectors by 2040. This area falls under "Natural Resources, Energy Security, and Green Transformation (GX)," one of the 17 strategic fields.
While Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are currently at the forefront of next-generation solar cells, the development and demonstration of other thin-film, lightweight, and flexible solar cells are underway. These include copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), organic thin-film photovoltaics (OPVs), and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Additionally, compound-oriented solar cells are gaining attention, primarily from the aerospace field.
The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)'s Green Innovation Fund Projects are advancing the industrialization of PSCs. NEDO is also involved in developing other types of energy to promote the practical application of other types of next-generation solar cells, such as OPVs and CIGS. These solar cells, including PSCs, are gaining attention as alternative energy sources.
This report analyzes market trends, technologies, and market participants, including companies and R&D institutions, through interviews with solar cell and module manufacturers that have entered the next-generation solar cell market. The report provides insight into the market environment and outlook of next-generation solar cells and their components.

I. Outlook and Strategies of the Next-Generation Solar Cell and Component Market

• China started commercial and mass production of Perovskite solar cells (PSCs).
• Japan should retain its advantages, such as strength in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and recapture the domestic market through industrial alignments
• PSCs continue to be developed with a large-scale public-private partnership with substantial funding
• In 2040, the installed capacity of next-generation solar cells is projected to reach 3.8 GW, accounting for 57 percent of new solar cell installations, with cumulative installed capacity expected to expand to 13.8 GW.

II. Trends in the Next Generation Solar Cell and Component Market

1. Policies and Projects Related to Next-Generation Solar Cells
   1-1. PSC-Related Technology Development Projects
   1-2. Technology Development Projects Related to Organic Photovoltaics (OPVs) Cells
   1-3. Technology Development Projects Related to Copper Indium Gallium Selenide
   　　(CIGS)-Based Solar Cells
   1-4. Major Demonstration Projects Related to Next-Generation Solar Cells
2. Single-Junction PSCs
   The market will transition from a demonstration to a commercial phase in 2027.
   2-1. Trends in Development at Universities
       2-1-1. Improving Photoelectric Conversion Efficiency
       2-1-2. Reduction in Lead Usage
   2-2. Trends among Entrant Companies
       2-2-1. Sekisui Chemical Co.,Ltd.
       2-2-2. Panasonic Holdings Corporation
       2-2-3. Enecoat Technologies Co., Ltd.
       2-2-4. Toshiba Corporation
       2-2-5. Aisin Corporation
       2-2-6. Ricoh Co., Ltd.
3. Tandemi PSCs
   Development Progress Toward Achieving Both High Efficiency and Long Lifespan
   3-1．Trends in Development at Universities
      3-1-1. Improving Cell Efficiency
      3-1-2. Extending Cell Lifespan
      3-1-3. Process for Forming a Perovskite Film on a Textured Surface
      3-1-4. Recombination Layer
      3-1-5. Module Encapsulation Technology
   3-2. Trends among Entrant Companies
      3-2-1．Kaneka Corporation
      3-2-2．Choshu Industry Co., Ltd.
      3-2-3．Toshiba Corporation
      3-2-4．Sharp Energy Solutions Corporation
      3-2-5．Enecoat Technologies Co., Ltd.
      3-2-6．Aisin Corporation
      3-2-7．Panasonic Holdings Corporation
      3-2-8．PXP Corporation
4. OPVs
   Demonstration projects and efforts to develop new markets are progressing, centered
   on the window and agricultural sectors, where the selective transmission and absorption of light wavelengths can be leveraged.
   4-1．Trends in Development at Universities
      4-1-1．Improved Charge Mobility
      4-1-2．Compatible with non-fullerene acceptors (NFA)
      4-1-3．Cost Reduction and Improved Mass-Production Capabilities
      4-1-4．Transparent OPVs
   4-2. Trends among Entrant Companies
      4-2-1. REIKO Co., Ltd.
      4-2-2. MORESCO Corporation
      4-2-3. Ouroboros Power Harvesting (OPH) Corporation
      4-2-4. ISHIHARA SANGYO KAISHA,LTD.
5. CIGS-Based Solar Cells
   Metal-foil substrates enable flexibility, low cost, and faster production
6. Trends in Next-Generation Solar Cell Components
   Reducing the cost of barrier films and ITO films is the biggest challenge.
   6-1. Barrier Films
   6-2. Transparent Electrode Films (Indium Tin Oxide [ITO] Films)

III. Strategies of Next-Generation Solar Cell and Component Manufacturers

• Panasonic Holdings Corporation
• Toshiba Corporation
• Kaneka Corporation
• Choshu Industry Co., Ltd.
• Hiroshi Segawa Laboratory, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo
• Wakamiya Laboratory, Research Area on Molecular Aggregates, Kyoto University Institute for Chemical Research
• Sano Laboratory, Innovation Center for Organic Electronics, Yamagata University
• Ouroboros Power Harvesting (OPH) Corporation GSI Creos Corporation
• REIKO Co., Ltd.
• MORESCO Corporation
• Osaka Laboratory, Applied Chemistry Program, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University
• Dept. Soft Nanomaterials (Ie Laboratory), Institute of Industrial Science, Osaka University
• PXP Corporation
• REIKO Co., Ltd. (Barrier and ITO Films)
• ISHIHARA SANGYO KAISHA,LTD.
• Suzuri Laboratory, Department of Applied Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Biochemical Engineering, Yamagata University
• Masuda-Goto Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Engineering / Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, Niigata University