International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV): R&D findings from the 13th Edition

The new edition shows significant focus on recyclability and design-for recycling/ design for sustainability, a trend towards demonstrating integrated PV in the field, and optimized PV system components being considered key for boosting PV´s competitiveness.

The 13th edition of the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV) will be available for download from April 14, 2022. With the help of 62 international experts along the PV value chain, the new edition summarizes and discusses over 100 parameters in numerous diagrams. As part of the publication, the VDMA Sector Group Photovoltaic Equipment will present the key messages of the roadmap in a web seminar on April 14, 2022. More information on the planned web seminar is available here.

Optimized PV system components remain key for boosting PV´s competitiveness

In the short term, optimized PV system components remain key for boosting PV´s competitiveness, alongside solid business models to drive high plant performance and decreased material usage in frames and mounting systems, which both received high score in the 2022 survey. Automation and advanced functions for data analysis and new absorber materials seem to be key within 10 years, while high-throughput processes for all process steps for silicon and thin films (including roll-to-roll and printing) have also received a high score for the long-term scenario in the 2022 survey.

New and recyclable encapsulation materials, new absorber materials, energy yield improvement and silicon wafers with zero or near zero silicon loss in the manufacturing process remain unlikely to boost PV´s competitivenes within 1-2 years, while optimized PV system components remain an unlikely route within 10 years.

Demonstrating integrated PV in the field in trend

Demonstrating the manufacturability of integrated PV products has lost ground to demonstrating integrated PV in the field, and this holds for when respondents are considering priorities for the next ten years as well as the next 1-2. Demonstrating long-term reliability of integrated PV products, taking into account the specific challenges and requirements of the place where they are integrated, received the highest score for the next 1-2 years scenario, while "Agri-PV" – PV modules mounted to support agriculture or horticulture underneath – was voted as the highest strategic priority for the long-term scenario.

Significant focus on recyclability and design-for recycling/ design for sustainability

Recyclability and design-for recycling/ design for sustainability remains a strategic priority of high importance both in the short and long term. Low environmental impact materials and more efficient manufacturing technologies were also identified as high priorities for both the short- and long-term scenarios.

Quicker transfer from lab to fab to roof or field of the results obtained in research

Quicker transfer from lab to fab to roof or field of the results obtained in research remains the highest priority in the short term should PV supply 69% of worldwide energy demand by 2050. While this was earlier also true for the long term (i.e. next 10 years), this priority fell further behind boosting competitiveness by achieving significant efficiency benefits and better performance.

Gradual approach to data sharing

Organisations and public authorities approach more open data sharing cautiously and gradually with emphasis on data anonymization in the short term. Within 2 years, organisations expect to enter a private agreement to share data; and to deposit data into a common repository even if no law compels this (with the data then anonymised), while at the same time accessing anonymised data from a such common repository. Public authorities expect to share data known to them anonymously with specific categories of stakeholders defined by country. In the longer term (i.e. in more than 2 years at the earliest), organisations are more open towards depositing un-anonymised data into a common repository even if no law compels this, while at the same time having access to such common repository with un-anonymised data. Public authorities expect to share un-anonymised data known to them with specific categories of stakeholder defined by country and even with anyone who asks.

ITRPV
The ITRPV (International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic) is updated regularly by the VDMA with contributions from leading international crystalline silicon producers, wafer suppliers, cell manufacturers, module manufacturers, PV machine builders, material manufacturers as well as PV research institutes and consultants. The aim of the ITRPV is to provide information on expected technology trends in the crystalline silicon (c-Si) based photovoltaic industry and to initiate discussions on required improvements and standards.
For additional information, please visit the website (itrpv.org).