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February 5th, 2010
Stormy Skies Ahead for Thin-Film Solar Startups
Abstract:
The success of thin-film solar champion First Solar Inc. (FSLR), which claims to have the lowest manufacturing costs -- and largest production volume -- in the industry, has spawned a whole herd of new thin-film solar startups. But many of these thin-film solar babies are unlikely to survive the next two years, Photon Consulting analyst Ryan Boas said at a solar conference in San Francisco this week.
If he's right, thin-film solar investors can expect to see some losses this year and next as a group of venture-backed startups start to fail. The period could represent a closing window of opportunity for some thin-film technologies, which offer the potential to dramatically reduce solar costs through the use of different materials and production processes, as prices for conventional solar panels continue to fall and new companies find it increasingly more difficult to raise money. And that could ultimately delay - or prevent - some promising technologies from reaching the market.
Source:
dailyfinance.com
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