Contact:
Horst Dufner
Phone: ++49 (0) 7231-58598-0
E-Mail: dufner@intersolar.de
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Pforzheim (pts010/02.08.2007/10:00) - New technologies and rural electrification model projects presented at the 3rd PV Industry Forum
The 3rd PV Industry Forum proved once again to be an important meeting place for the international photovoltaics industry. With 319 decision-makers from more than 42 countries, the number of participants exceeded the expectations of joint organisers, Solar Promotion GmhH and PSE GmbH. With lively discussions and dynamic presentations, the 3rd Industry Forum became an information platform for future business decisions. The focus of the specialist conference programme was on the growing use of new technologies such as thin-film and concentrator cells, and the dynamic development of the international photovoltaics markets.
Facing challenges: high efficiency yields and longterm cost reduction
The 319 managing directors, sales and product managers, and analysts, from the international photovoltaics industry, who came to the 3rd PV Industry Forum, used the conference as an information platform. Decision-makers from over 42 countries came to learn about practical applications and innovations presented by international experts. Chairman Dr. Winfried Hoffmann, Chief Technology Officer and Board Member of Applied Materials, and EPIA (European Photovoltaic Industry Association) President, summarised the expert conference as follows, "Participants of the 3rd PV Industry Forum got a broad and at the same time detailed insight into the various technologies presented." He went on to say that "participants will take home valuable insights from the PV Industry Forum for their future business decisions, such as the significant progress in raw material savings and a realistic survey of the PV market for the years to come."
Paula Mints, from the US consulting agency Navigant Consulting, presented a scenario for the top 10 PV markets in the year 2010. She predicted a global demand of 8 gigawatts in 2010 provided international subsidy programmes were continued.
Expert audience interest focussed on material-saving thin-film technologies
Chaired by Dr. Andreas Bett, the speakers discussed the fast-growing thin-film technology segment and challenges in the concentrator cell and system technologies.
Various experts spoke about the pros and cons of the increasingly refined production processes in thin-film technology as well as the improved efficiency of various semiconductor technologies such as amorphous silicon (a-Si), Cadmium-Telluride (CdTe) or Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIGS). Lars Stolt, CEO of the Swedish-German company Solibro AB, explained that in few years, CIGS thin-film modules will be manufactured at competitive production costs and their efficiency will increase to more than 15 percent.
Concentrator technologies: More field research and establishment of large production lines
Dr. Andreas Bett, project manager with Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (FhG ISE), gave a lecture on the future development of concentrator cells and systems. He argued that they currently make up only a marginal proportion in the PV market, but are highly efficient, with cell efficiency rates of 35 percent in production and more than 40 percent proved in various test series, thus offering great potential for cost reduction. He went on to say that "for the further development of concentrator photovoltaics, more demonstration projects, such as the new 2.7-megawatt project in Castilla la Mancha in Spain, are necessary to carry out more field research for further technological refinement." In one or two years, Dr. Bett explained, there would be good chances for competitiveness with the traditional PV technologies. Dr. Alexander Slade of the US-based company Amonix said that one of the biggest challenges was setting up turnkey production lines for concentrator cells.
Pioneer experience in rural electrification
The second afternoon session dealt with rural electrification in emerging and developing countries. The speakers presented model projects from Asia and Africa, showing various applications for the productive use of PV systems. They discussed the various technical and socio-economic aspects of the innovative use of PV hybrid and mini-grid systems. Chairman Rafael Wiese of co-organiser PSE stated that the participants engaged in lively and dynamic discussions, benefiting from the extensive experience of the speakers, who allowed enough room for detailed questions. Mr Wiese went on to say that "a rural electrification concept, which works perfectly in one country, may be difficult to reproduce in another country."
Due to strong demand: 4th PV Industry Forum extended to two days
The 4th PV Industry Forum programme will focus on the global expansion of the PV market, the continued strong growth of the market share of thin-film modules and other material-saving technologies, as well as on new concepts to guarantee off-grid supply. Horst Dufner from organiser Solar Promotion explains that, "due to strong demand by our expert visitors, we will extend the programme of next year's PV Industry Forum to two days." The 4th PV Industry Forum will take place at the International Congress Center of Neue Messe Munich from 10th - 11th June 2008 - two days before Intersolar 2008 begins.
Gold sponsors of the 3rd PV Industry Forum
Applied Materials Inc. develops and uses nanomanufacturing technologies and is one of the leading manufacturers of thin-film applications. IBC Solar AG is one of the global leaders for solar technology systems. Studer Innotec produces sine inverters and inverter/charger combinations developed for off-grid solar and hybrid systems, as well as simple backup systems. Suntech is a global leader for solar technology specialising in solar cell and module production.
3rd PV Industry Forum organisers:
The 3rd PV Industry Forum was jointly organised by Solar Promotion GmbH, Pforzheim, and PSE GmbH Freiburg.
3rd PV Industry Forum supporters:
Supporters of the PV Industry Forum are the German Solar Industry Association (BSW) and the German Energy Agency (Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH, dena).
Gold sponsors of the 3rd PV Industry Forum:
Applied Materials GmbH & Co. KG, IBC Solar AG, Studer Innotec,
Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd.
Further information
about the 3rd PV Industry Forum
Solar Promotion GmbH
Mr. Horst Dufner
PO Box 100 170
75101 Pforzheim, Germany
Tel. +49-(0)7231-58 59 8 - 0
Fax +49-(0)7231-58 59 8 - 28
http://www.pvindustry.de
The text in electronic form as well as graphs can be found at http://www.pvindustry.de / press menu.
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