Finally, a US-based photovoltaic market research effort

This week, market research company iSuppli Corp said it has acquired Munich, Germany-based Wicht Technologie Consulting (WTC), a provider of market intelligence on photovoltaics, Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS), sensors and nanotechnology, so that it could begin a service for these industry areas.

The service is set to begin in Q2, and is a welcome move by iSuppli, which consistently provides valuable data and industry expert opinion for EDN readers.

Also, there is a serious lack of analysts in the solar space, and iSuppli’s semiconductor expertise coming to bear in the burgeoning photovoltaic arena makes perfect sense.

Derek Lidow, president and CEO of iSuppli Corp said of the move, in a statement, “Technology companies around the world now are focusing on the solar/photovoltaic segment, bringing to bear their expertise in diverse areas such as wafer processing, cell manufacturing and complex systems integration.”

“Those companies that can successfully identify and capitalize on the technologies, products and regions that will dominate the future of the photovoltaic market stand to benefit enormously. To help the industry understand the fast-changing world of solar systems, iSuppli is launching its Photovoltaic service, which will provide unique essential data and analysis including complete input/output models,” he added.

WTC was established in 2000 with the goal of providing companies with the market analysis, business development and strategic planning support they need to compete in the fields of photovoltaic, MEMS and sensors research, according to Dr. Henning Wicht, CEO and founder of WTC.

Specifically, iSuppli said its photovoltaic service will consist of three separate offerings:

–Photovoltaic Raw Materials, which will provide market intelligence on areas including wafer production and supply of glass and other raw materials.
–Cell and Module Production, which will examine the markets for various types of solar cells, including thin-film cells and modules.
–Photovoltaic Systems, which will research products and technologies including converters, concentrators and rotating systems.

Also the news MEMS and sensors service being established, also set to begin in Q2 will offer forecasts, market shares and analysis of product manufacturing.

Now it’s your turn. If you are a player in the photovoltaic space, or wish to be, I’m curious as to where you’ve been obtaining your market research data, or if it has been an independent effort. Do chime in below with comments.

–Ann Steffora Mutschler, Senior Editor