Alternative energy opportunities for chip suppliers
18 March 2009
News
Information from Databeans
Energy use has recently become a major concern for businesses, countries and consumers alike, due to both environmental concerns and high oil prices.
These issues are being addressed on two fronts. First, by power conversion technology innovators where solutions continue to enter the market for more efficient use of existing energy sources; and second, forging ahead with lower cost IC solutions for alternative energy generation efforts.
Databeans estimates that the alternative energy market will grow to over $115 billion in five years, up from $38 billion this year. Alternative energy generation technology includes solar power, wind power and fuel cells. Add biofuel to this mix and the revenue is even higher. Emerging alternative energy projects are fuelling demand for the semiconductor technology required to build this growing infrastructure. Leading OEMs in this space include First Solar, Solarworld, Evergreen, SunPower, General Electric, Ball, Delphi and Siemens.
Alternative power generation semiconductor revenue opportunity
Today, the market for chips used specifically in alternative power generation applications is very small, but clearly there is enormous potential. Semiconductor technologies surrounding the alternative energy markets include advanced IGBT design, optoelectronics, advanced power conversion ICs, digital signal processing, microcontrollers and advanced mixed-signal and analog circuits. Not including revenue from photovoltaic materials, the market size for these semiconductors is expected to grow from $300 million today to $1,8 billion by 2013.
Expectations are for a compound annual growth rate of 40% each year for the next five years and even higher longer term. Circuits used in fuel cell systems will outpace solar power and wind power, but all three segments have strong promise.
For more information visit www.databeans.net
Further reading:
From the editor's desk: Inspiring the next generation
Technews Publishing
News
Welcome to the August issue of
Dataweek. Peter Howells is still on leave, so I am back for this issue. I hope you enjoy the content and find value in it.
August is Women’s Month in South Africa,
...
Read more...
Procurement is becoming a competitive advantage
RS South Africa
News
As mining, manufacturing and industrial businesses continue to navigate rising costs, supply chain disruption and increasing pressure to improve operational performance, procurement and inventory management have become strategic business priorities rather than simply administrative functions.
Read more...
Powell Electronics signs partnership agreement with IOT Electronics
IOT Electronics
News
Powell Electronics has entered into a partnership agreement with IOT Electronics to strengthen its presence across southern Africa.
Read more...
Omniflex delivers ICCP systems across London
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
News
Omniflex has supplied impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems for a range of prominent buildings across London, helping to protect reinforced concrete structures from corrosion and extending their service life.
Read more...
New appointments for Würth Electronics South Africa
Würth Electronics South Africa
News
New appointments for Würth Electronics South Africa
Read more...
MTN celebrates 80 Western Cape digital graduates
News
Eighty unemployed young people from across the Western Cape have successfully completed MTN South Africa’s Digital Skills for Digital Jobs (DS4DJ) programme, earning accredited qualifications in Data Analytics, Systems Development and Cybersecurity.
Read more...
GirlCode Hackathon 2026 kicks off across South Africa and Botswana
News
GirlCode, in partnership with Absa Group, Truecaller, MTN, SAP Fioneer, RS South Africa and other ecosystem partners, successfully hosted the first leg of the 2026 GirlCode Hackathon.
Read more...
Rooibos heads to space
News
A South African scientific initiative linking agriculture and space research has officially launched today with the Rooibos in Space programme at Parklands College’s Innovation Centre in Cape Town.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Local can be international
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
Welcome to the July 2026 issue of
Dataweek. As you can see from this introduction,
Dataweek’s regular editor, Peter Howells, is on extended leave and I am filling the void in his editor’s column – hopefully without being too boring.
Read more...
Landis+Gyr EMEA introduces new company name: EYKON
News
EYKON is the new company name of Landis+Gyr EMEA, formerly part of the Landis+Gyr Group. The company supports electricity, gas, water and thermal utilities in managing increasingly complex networks, improving operational efficiency and enabling more sustainable use of resources.
Read more...
printer friendly version