Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Solar Cells Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis By Type (Single Junction GaAs Solar Cells and Multijunction Gallium Arsenide Solar Cells), By Application (Space and Satellite, Concentrated Photovoltaics, and Military and Defense), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Gallium arsenide solar cell provides more efficiency than its silicon alternatives as it has a lower electron mobility resistance, allowing the transistors to function at 250 GHz+ frequencies. Its high resistance to heat also allows it to work for longer hours than silicon. The direct band gap property also allows gallium arsenide cells to absorb more solar energy than silicon cells that have an indirect band gap.

• For instance, gallium arsenide solar cells have been used instead of Silicon cells in the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory for space exploration. Alta Devices has been given a contract of USD 7.1 million for its supply. Singulus Technologies has also accepted a contract to supply their GaAs-based heterojunction solar cells to the leading SILEX II manufacturer for more than 26% conversion efficiency.

The main drivers for the growing GaAs solar cell demand are gallium arsenide's high efficiency and durability and the increased adoption of solar energy. As mentioned above, gallium arsenide's high efficiency and durability make solar cells eco-friendly and economical in the long run. The material can also withstand high amounts of radiation, making it more suitable for space explorations. The other driver, constituting the increased adoption of solar energy, stems from more focus on reducing carbon emissions on a global scale. Since GaAs is currently the most efficient technology in this sector, growth in the solar market will directly increase the growth rate of the GaAs market.

There also exist many restraints and difficulties in the adoption of GaAs at a large scale. A few of them are the high costs of manufacturing, which is due to the complexity of the production process, causing one cell to be manufactured in 2 hours at maximum pace, the rarity of gallium compared to the commonly found silicon and the toxicity of arsenic which also raises many environmental concerns.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions in logistics and the supply chain on a global level. Therefore, the supply of rare materials such as gallium which require extensive intercontinental shipments, was adversely affected. This also caused major delays in the solar projects, which caused a fall in product demand. The reduced budget of the projects also caused the companies to adopt silicon for solar power stations instead of gallium arsenide solar cells, which are more expensive. Adopting GaAs cells is a recent trend requiring more research and development. The companies cut budgets and caused financial problems, which also hampered research activities associated with GaAs.

KEY INSIGHTS

The report covers the following key insights:

• Recent Advancements in the Gallium Arsenide solar cell market


• Key Industry Trends


• Regulatory Landscape for the Gallium Arsenide Solar Cell Market


• Key Industry Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships)


• Impact of COVID-19 on the Market

SEGMENTATION

ANALYSIS BY TYPE

Based on type, the market is segmented into single junction GaAs and multijunction gallium arsenide solar cells. The multi-junction gallium arsenide solar cells segment dominates the GaAs solar cells market. Regarding theoretical efficiency, multi-junction solar cells can significantly outperform traditional single-junction solar cells. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, three-junction multi-junction solar cells have a theoretical efficiency of more than 45%, while single-junction cells top out at about 33.5%. Adding more intersections can improve efficiency by more than 70%. By comparison, the most efficient solar panels available are about 22% efficient.

Single-cell GaAs solar cells are typically made using silicon as the semiconductor, while multilithium solar cells typically use three distinct semiconductors: indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), gallium indium phosphide (GaInP), and germanium (Ge). Multi-junction solar cells are an exciting and promising technology that can help increase the efficiency of solar panels.

ANALYSIS BY APPLICATION

Based on application, the market is segmented into space and satellite, concentrated photovoltaics, and military and defense. GaAs cells have been used in the space industry since 1980, layered up on Germanium substrate, and have continued to be used even today due to their high resistance to radiation. It has been prominently used in the HS601 HP satellite. Governments worldwide are trying to charge unmanned aerial vehicles with GaAs cells to increase the duration of their flight. Concentrated P.V. has the advantages of a high conversion rate, a small battery area, and fewer consumables. Gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells represent high-power concentrated P.V. cells. The cells' high efficiency and durability make them ideal for military applications such as unmanned aerial vehicles, naval ships, and military vehicles.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

The gallium arsenide solar cell market has been studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. China is the major country with a majority of gallium on earth. According to the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), Huawei has filed 2000 patents for it and has a major share in the GaAs market as one of the main suppliers. Countries such as the U.S., although they do not produce gallium arsenide themselves, import the demanded quantities from other countries such as Germany, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. Countries such as Japan recycle and refine gallium by treating bauxite and other ores. Automotive giant Audi AG and thin-film solar manufacturer Hanergy, through its U.S. subsidiary Alta Devices, have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop and equip their electric vehicles with a flexible thin-film gallium arsenide (GaAs)-based solar system integrated into the product range of planned electric vehicles.

KEY PLAYERS COVERED

The report will include the profiles of key players such as Semiconductor Wafer Inc., Freiberger Compound Materials GmbH, Xiamen Powerway Advanced Material Co., Ltd, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd, Wafer Technology Ltd, MTI Corporation, and Asur Space Solar Power GmbH.

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• In June 2022, a triple junction solar cell was developed at the U.S. Department of Energy, with a record efficiency of 39.5% using III-V semiconductor materials such as gallium arsenide.


• In November 2021, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology developed ultra-high material-efficient solar cells by placing nanowires over a gallium arsenide substrate and a traditional silicon solar cell.


• In October 2021, a group of Cambridge University scientists created an 80-nanometer-thick ultra-thin gaAs cell with 9.08%-16% efficiency. This can power small drones, satellites, and even consumer electronics.


• In April 2021, AXT Inc. supplied its first 8-inch gallium arsenide wafers to its major clients with silicon-doped substrates, giving low etch pit densities even with a bigger surface area for maximum absorptions.