Association News
Association News
difference: continuous crystal pulling may
lower silicon costs while direct ground-
mounting systems speed up installation
and minimize environmental disruption.
ieee/applied materials Forum re- The high-efficiency end of PV technol-
veals rapid advancement of solar pV ogy was explored by Russ Jones, director
technology of business development for terrestrial
epia organizes its first international
The IEEE Electron Devices Society (SCV- PV at Spectrolab, a Boeing company. The
Thin Film conference
EDS) and Applied Materials recently same high efficiency and high reliability
Over 300 experts from the thin film sector
hosted a technology forum that explored of expensive III-V multijunction cells that
are expected to gather on 13 November
the state-of-the-art photovoltaic (PV) cell make them the best choice for space appli-
in Munich for the 1st EPIA International
and manufacturing technologies that are cations also make them ideal for terrestrial
Thin Film Conference. With a growing
changing our world. PV when combined with optical systems to
demand for photovoltaic (PV) products
We often hear the term “grid parity” produce concentrating PV (CPV) modules.
in the European and American markets,
used to describe a tipping point for solar The CPV market is tiny today, with a mere
all technological solutions are expanding
PV, but Mark Pinto, senior vice president, 11MW installed globally, but cell cost
and Thin Film even stronger. With the
CTO and general manager of Applied’s reductions and efficiency gains promise
organization of this 1st edition, EPIA aims
Energy and Environmental Solutions strong growth for this sector of the PV
at providing a dedicated international dis-
group, laid out a more nuanced viewpoint, industry.
cussion platform for the photovoltaic Thin
using instead the term “inflection zone.” An audiocast of the symposium will
Film industry.
According to Dr. Pinto, we’re in the inflec- be available soon on the IEEE SCV-EDS
According to EPIA projections, 4 GW
tion zone now, where PV is already cheaper website at
http://ewh.ieee.org/r6/scv/eds/
of thin film production capacity is expected
in certain markets than traditional energy index.html
to be available by the end of 2010. This
sources. Large-area, high volume produc-
would represent 20% of the overall PV
tion is the key to continued cost reduction,
module capacity. How is this supposed
as evidenced by the birth of the gigawatt
to happen? What is the potential for cost
factory, the first of which is already under
reduction offered by thin film technolo-
construction. 3rd semi pV FmF – photovoltaic Fab
gies? Will it enable reaching grid parity
Dr. Rajeeva Lahri, founder, president
managers Forum
by a quicker means? The conference will
and CEO of Signet Solar reminded the
Mark your calendar for 8-9 March 2009 in
present the state-of-the-art PV thin film
audience of why there is such widespread
Dresden, Germany.
sector and provide an insight into global
interest in renewable energy: energy is a $6
PV business leaders from both the
market trends, the latest technological
trillion market that must transition away
manufacturing and supplier world meet to
achievements, successful investments in
from fossil fuel. Grid parity is the key to
discuss key issues facing the industry at the
the sector and a full analysis, from mate-
making this happen.
PV Fab Managers Forum. The event also
rial and equipment suppliers to module
What would an IEEE event be without
acts as an excellent platform for you to net-
manufacturers.
physics? Dr. Sheila Bailey, senior physicist
work with peers, suppliers and customers
With high-level speakers from the
at NASA’s Glenn Research Center did a
The program is carefully designed
Industry, the conference will be divided
great job awakening half-forgotten theory
by industry leaders to focus on the most
into 5 parts:
as she gave the packed house a summary
important issues facing us today. Short
of the physics governing the PV effect. She
presentations are combined with open de-
• Market overview and production
went on to stress the difficulty in maintain-
bates and facilitated Q&A sessions. Time
forecast - The future of thin film
ing the efficiency of promising new cell
is purposefully made to allow for useful
• Thin film module production
technologies in the transition from the
networking in the breaks.
technologies
laboratory to the real world. Her intimi-
The event is targeted at executives and
• Are turnkey solutions the path to
dating list of “degradation parameters”
business leaders from the PV industry;
multi gigawatt production?
showed the many ways efficiency can be
fab managers; lead engineers from wafer-,
• Investments in the thin film sector
lost, underlining the importance of com-
cell-, bulk silicon and thin film module
• Measurements and sustainability
mercialization in making solar PV effective
manufacturers; plus executives, strategists,
in real-world applications.
product managers and technical experts
This first edition, organized by the world’s
Thin film PV is not the only technolo-
from suppliers to these industries. www.
largest photovoltaic association, offers an
gy able to reduce the installed cost of solar,
semi.org/pv
excellent opportunity to network with
according to Dr. Dick Swanson, co-founder
Thin Film’s most knowledgeable experts.
and president of SunPower. Manufacturing
A detailed program and all information are
and installation innovations in crystalline
available at
www.thinfilmconference.org
silicon wafer-based PV are making a big
36 – Global Solar Technology – November/December 2008
www.globalsolartechnology.com
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