STANDARDS
Many semiconductor equipment manufacturers
Many semiconductor equipment
that have diversified into PV are using some
existing SEMI Standards, but the PV industry has
manufacturers that have diversified into
specialised and unique needs and a different set of
stakeholders. In addition, many customers are
PV are using some existing SEMI
increasingly developing custom requirements to
support legacy systems that increase costs without Standards, but the PV industry has
delivering manufacturing yield or efficiency. To
meet grid parity targets, the PV equipment industry specialised and unique needs and a
has to intensify their standardisation efforts in order
to reduce costs and develop an efficient, global
different set of stakeholders
supply chain whose R&D investments are focused
on innovation. Rather that crudely or informally
using semiconductor and other existing industry
standards, PV standards must be for, and by, the Background
PV industry. They need to be managed by At the first SEMI PV Group Photovoltaic Committee
independent committees comprised of PV industry meeting in early September 2006, executives from
representatives whose interest lies with the solar the PV industry gathered together to discuss where
power industry. SEMI PV Group could contribute most to the
SEMI PV Group is set to release this month, as a growth of the PV industry. One of the major
first milestone report, a PV Standards Roadmap elements mentioned was the need for industry
Guidance Document that identifies over 64 existing standards at the manufacturing equipment and
SEMI Standards and Safety Guidelines that are materials level. Dr. Heinz Ossenbrink, Unit Head of
applicable to PV manufacturing. Thirty-one of the Renewable Energies at the European
these standards show significant cost-savings Commission Joint Research Center, stated
potential for the industry, with minor revisions “Standards in photovoltaic are essential for the
27
needed. industry in order to lower trade barriers and to
reduce the cost of ownership for cell and module
www
The Guidance Document was prepared by a Core manufacturers of their production facilities. Both
.solar
Team of experts from equipment and materials elements are key to reach competitiveness of the
manufacturers, cell makers, third parties, and other photovoltaic industry in a global energy market.”
-pv-management.com
special interest groups. The findings are based on In response to this industry need, SEMI PV Group
a high-level assessment of existing SEMI Standards activities have gained strong
Standards with respect to their applicability to PV momentum over the past two years with Standards
manufacturing. Core Team members stated that it Committees, Working Groups, Sub-Working
was critical to leverage existing approaches from Groups, and Task Forces established in Europe,
related industries and bring solutions to a fast North America and Asia. In consultation with those
growing industry quickly. Available time and effort Committees, and under the oversight of PV Group
Issue I 2009
should be spent on issues unique to the PV Regional Advisory Committees, the determination
manufacturing process, such as specifications and was made that a more forward-looking, anticipative
test methods for novel materials and automation. look at technology advancements, research and
The Guidance Document represents the development efforts and government policies was
completion of the first phase of a Global needed to guide global standards efforts in an
Photovoltaic Standards Roadmap designed to efficient and expeditious manner.
focus and prioritise industry standards efforts in
high-value areas.
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