Title:	An Overview of Patent Application Data in the Field of Photovoltaics
Author(s):	A. Visentin, M. Boero, S. Fratiloiu, C. Königstein
Keywords:	PV Patent Activity
Topic:	PV Taking Off: Large-Scale Deployment
Subtopic:	Markets for Large-scale PV
Event:	26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition
Session:	6CV.1.20
Pages:	4569 - 4572
ISBN:	3-936338-27-2
Paper DOI:	10.4229/26thEUPVSEC2011-6CV.1.20
Price:	0,00 EUR
Document(s):	paper

Abstract/Summary:

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The present study is aimed at giving an update on patent activities in the photovoltaics (PV) field covering the past 40 years. In this study, the number of patent applications published during this time period, per year and for the whole period, in several of the most relevant solar cell technologies are analysed. While the growth of patent filings still coincides with the growth in cell shipments, a shift in the technology for which patents are applied for can be observed. This is due to a move away from focussing on the cell structures towards the module design and the periphery structures. Patent filing figures are shown for the different types of solar cells including polymer and organic solar cells, dye sensitized solar cells, and inorganic solar cells. Further data will be presented showing the origin of patent applications for inorganic and organic solar cells as well as for different decades.