According to a report released by Greentech Media and the Prometheus Institute, the solar power market will continue to grow, with thin-film photovoltaics leading the way. The authors predict that thin-film solar production will double each year for the next three years, reaching 4.18 GW worth of equipment in 2010, and almost 10 GW by 2012.

According to the report, most companies entering the industry are focusing on the development of amorphous-silicon films on glass. The authors expect amorphous-silicon films to make up the majority of PV production after 2010.

This would leave the cadmium-telluride films produced by companies such as First Solar (FSLR) with the status of "niche" product, although the report expects First Solar to remain a major industry player.

Here are the 5 companies that the authors of the report expect to be producing the most product in 2010:

• First Solar (FSLR): 1 GW estimated production
• Sharp Corp: 416 MW estimated production
• United Solar: 254 MW estimated production
• Nanosolar: 249 MW estimated production
• Miasolé: 178 MW estimated production