ipvea update - october 2011

T H E w O R L D w I D E V O I C E F O R T H E P V E Q U I P M E n T M A n U FA C T U R I n G I n D U S T R Y

update

Issued on behalf of the International Photovoltaic Equipment Association | www.ipvea.org | [email protected]

INDUSTRY NEWS

Review: EU PVSEC 2011, Hamburg, 5-9 September‘We’ll be back next year. This is a critical global event in the annual PV calendar.’

This was the resounding feedback from IPVEA members and other exhibitors at this year’s EU PVSEC, held in Hamburg, in September, where over 999 international exhibitors along the PV value chain presented products and services. The industry is now bracing itself for a choppier year ahead. Those who attended the PV Production Forum (see review on page 9), co-organized by IPVEA and EU PVSEC, were well briefed on the outlook for the next 12 months. Equipment orders will level off but this is a temporary period of adjustment. A fact that the PV industry accepts more readily, compared with other renewable and alternative energy sectors, is that subsidies are not a given and should not be relied upon long-term. This acceptance will enable the PV industry to focus on continuing to achieve economies of scale, enhance effi ciencies of modules, push toward longer lifetimes, develop further standards and engage more closely with utilities to establish opportunities for large-scale PV deployment, all of which will contribute to ensuring that PV reaches grid parity sooner.

At the EU PVSEC conference sessions new approaches to PV architecture were presented. PV is increasingly being seen as an effective way to fi ght the current recession, according to Dr Arnulf Jäger-Waldau, Technical Programme Chairman, European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre, who concluded: ‘so far each PV forecast has underestimated the growth of PV worldwide and future PV scenarios will have to be continuously readjusted to refl ect the great advances of the sector.’

Some 4,467 delegates from around the world attended 1,500 scientifi c and technical presentations, covering the entire scope of PV technologies at the EU PVSEC conference. All told attendance for the conference and exhibition combined exceed 40,000 from over 100 countries.

Issue 12 | October 2011

Europe address: IPVEAP.O. Box 1610, D-63406, Hanau, Germany

US address: IPVEAP.O. Box 771507, Orlando, Florida 32877, USATel: +1 407 856 9100

Asia address: IPVEARm 603, APEC Plaza, 49 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong, Hong KongTel: +852 2623 2317

Managing Director: Bryan Ekus. [email protected]

Registration Number: Court Hanau VR 31714

IPVEA International Photovoltaic Equipment Association (IPVEA) has used uses its best efforts to ensure that all the information in this publication is up-to-date. Any warranty to the correctness and actuality can not be assumed. IPVEA reserves the right to make changes or additions to the information made available at any time without notice. © 2010 International Photovoltaic Equipment Association. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this piblication are not necessarily those of IPVEA.

In this issue

VISIT IPVEA.ORG TO SEE ALLIPVEA MEMBERS PROFILES

CLICK TO VISIT IPVEA.ORG AND READ MORE ABOUT ITS BOARD AND MEMBER SERVICES

CLICK HERE TO VISIT SCHILLER AUTOMATION’SWEBSITE & READ MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY

SEND NEWS [email protected]

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

VISIT IPVEA.ORG TO SEE ALLIPVEA MEMBERS PROFILES

CLICK TO VISIT IPVEA.ORG AND READ MORE ABOUT ITS BOARD AND MEMBER SERVICES

CLICK HERE TO VISIT SCHILLER AUTOMATION’SWEBSITE & READ MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY

SEND NEWS [email protected]

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Image: Bryan Ekus, IPVEA MD, meeting Dominique Ristori, JRC Director General, European Commission

EU PVSEC REVIEW Show reviews PV PV Production Forum market session review IPVEA iPad competition

NEW MEMBERS IPVEA welcomes Intevac Inc. & Sika AG

EVENTS PV Power Plants – USA Joint Forces for Solar Singapore Int. Energy Week SNEC 2012, China Solar Power International EU PVSEC 2012

INSIDE IPVEA IPVEA Board of Directors elections IPVEA Board meeting review

2 | IPVEA UPDATE | SEPTEMBER 2011 update

update

IPVEA PROMOTION

IPVEA booth at EU PVSEC and iPad competitionThe IPVEA booth’s situation at EU PVSEC, combined with the demonstration of the PV Matrix, and, not forgetting the free iPad draw, succeeded in attracting over 1000 visitors during the exhibition.

Many wanted to learn about IPVEA, its activities, membership and discuss opportunities for engaging with the association through cooperative partnerships. More information about these will be communicated in the coming months.

iPad competition winners were picked out from the entry forms over three of the show days. They include Susan Brodie, from Hudson Energy Solar Corporation in the US.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our four sponsors – Meyer Burger, Oerlikon, Isra Vision Solar and Leybold Optics – for supporting the iPad competition.

Issued on behalf of the International Photovoltaic Equipment Association | www.ipvea.org | [email protected] IPVEA UPDATE | OCTOBER 2011 | 3

www.leyboldoptics.com

Your Partner For Advanced Solar Solutions


updateINSIDE IPVEA

Board election results and board meeting reviewIPVEA would like to welcome its two newest members to its board of directors, Elke Hoffmann and Ortrun Aßländer, who were voted in during the most recent members meeting held on 7 September during EU PVSEC.

We also take this opportunity to inform our members that Sven E. Jarby, Steff en Günther and Stefan Schiller a re each embarking on their second (three year) term on the board of directors.

The IPVEA Board of Directors, October 2011, as above from left to right:

Elke Hoff mann, vice treasurer (Jonas & Redmann) Patrick Binkowska, vice president (Leybold Opti cs) Ortrun Aßländer, secretary (Day4 ecoTec) Carsten Busch, board member (ABB Automati on) Steff en Günther, treasurer (Reis Roboti cs) Stefan Schiller, vice president (Schiller Automati on) Ludgar Wahlers, board member (ISRA Vision Solar) Sven E. Jarby, president (Oerlikon)

BOARD MEETINGAt the board meeti ng, which had a good turn-out, comments and feedback about the PV Matrix were positi ve concerning functi onality, and ensuring compati bility with Internet Explorer is being addressed. The focus now is on promoti ng the platf orm and pursuing further opportuniti es to raise its profi le further within the wider PV industry. A key opportunity here is SNEC 2012. IPVEA is also initi ati ng a cross promoti onal partnership concerning the associati on as well as the PV Matrix with the Investment Promoti on Bureau of Suzhou Wuzhong Economic Development Zone (SWEDZ), near Shanghai, which is looking to att ract PV equipment manufacturers to the region as part of wider plans to establish Suzhou Wuzhong as a PV industrial base in China.

In order to support IPVEA members, especially smaller sized companies, in their marketi ng & communicati ons acti viti es, board member Carsten Busch suggested organising press briefi ngs at key events and the response by members has been positi ve, with many interested to learn more about how they can be included.

The board meeti ng fi nished with IPVEA’s MD Bryan Ekus presenti ng the fi ndings of IPVEA’s 2012 Event Survey. A summary of key fi ndings follows

EU PVSEC conti nues to be regarded as the most important of the European PV events, according to 97% of respondents, followed by Intersolar at 70%

76% of respondents agree that IPVEA should support only one European event in 2012

SNEC emerged as the most important of the Asian PV events

100% of respondents want IPVEA to support SNEC 2012 and a large majority (72%) of respondents would like IPVEA to organize a technical conference with SNEC’s organizers

Intersolar and Solar Power Internati onal break even as the most important US events

39% of respondents said their company exhibits at events in India

Issued on behalf of the International Photovoltaic Equipment Association | www.ipvea.org | [email protected] UPDATE | OCTOBER 2011 | Issued on behalf of the International Photovoltaic Equipment Association | www.ipvea.org | [email protected] UPDATE | OCTOBER 2011 | Issued on behalf of the International Photovoltaic Equipment Association | www.ipvea.org | [email protected] 5

IPVEA to organize a technical conference with SNEC’s

Internati onal break even as the If you missed att ending the

meeti ng but would like to obtain a full copy of

the survey, please email [email protected]

www.oerlikon.com


updateINSIDE IPVEA

IPVEA Board of DirectorsPresident Sven E. Jarby (Oerlikon) Secretary Ortrun Aßländer (Day4 ecoTec) Treasurer Steffen Guenther (Reis Robotics)Vice Treasurer Elke Hoffmann (Jonas & Redmann) Vice President Stefan Schiller (Schiller Automation)Vice President Patrick Binkowska (Leybold Optics) Board Member Carsten Busch (ABB Automation)Board Member Ludgar Wahlers (ISRA Vision Solar)Managing Director Bryan Ekus

IPVEA Supervisory Board MembersIPVEA’s Articles of Association requires the organisation to have a separate supervisory board to oversee the Executive Board. The group meets once or twice a year typically during the time of a trade show. Current supervisory board members are:

Dan Murray Targray Technology International

Jan-Paul van Maaren BTU International

Frank Tinnefeld Gebr. Schmid GmbH + Co

Peter Kiemstedt KUKA Systems GmbH

Helmut Schilling Singulus/Stangl Solar

Antonio Schmidt Manz Automation

Werner Bucholtz Meyer Burger Technology Ltd

INSIDE IPVEA

IPVEA Welcomes New MembersIPVEA currently has many of the PV industry’s leading companies as members. All benefit from the exchange of ideas, as well as ways to develop business opportunities and strategic partnerships. We would like to welcome two more companies to the association.

Sika AG, headquartered in Switzerland, is a global specialty chemicals company supplying many industries, from building & construction to transportation and alternative energies.

Sika provides state-of-the-art technical solutions for sealing and bonding that assists solar system manufacturers and sub-suppliers in the industry to meet the high demand of quality requirements and supply security worldwide. Next to �high quality products Sika also offers comprehensive project support with construction consultancy, functional testing, application technology advice and applicator training.

www.sika.com

Sika are part

of the PV MatrixPVMATRIX

Intevac are part

of the PV MatrixPVMATRIX

Intevac Inc, founded in 1991, is a leading provider of cost-effective, advanced equipment and products to the hard disk drive, solar, semiconductor and photonics industries.

Intevac has two businesses, Process Equipment and Photonics.

Having shipped more than 220 media manufacturing systems to customers in the hard disk drive industry Intevac has expanded into the solar and semiconductor industries. Lean design principles enables Intevac to provide its customers with extremely efficient equipment solutions which meet the requirements of evolving technology.

Intevac is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, with offices across the US and Asia and manufacturing facilities in California, Wyoming and Singapore.

www.intevac.com


PV PRODUCTION FORUM

PV PRODUCTIOn FORUM MARkET SESSIOn REVIEw The second PV Forum, an exclusive seminar co-organized by International PV Equipment Association (IPVEA) and EU PVSEC, took place in during this year’s show on 6 September. The one-day event drew 220 delegates, with the morning session focusing on market issues, before breaking off into silicon and thin-film streams in the afternoon.

The bankruptcy of Solyndra had been discussed in conference rooms and exhibition halls throughout EU PVSEC and PV Production Forum’s presenters and panellists wasted no time in putting the US firm’s demise in context. VLSI Research’s John West pointed out, during his presentation, that while exits and bankruptcies are a consequence of any growing and consolidating industry, having a unique differentiating technology – such as Solyndra’s cylindrical thin film CIGS modules – is not enough in the PV market’s current climate. Substantial investment in silicon supply and in production of crystalline silicon cells, by China mainly, has pushed down the retail price of modules so significantly that they are as low as $2.90 dollars per watt and falling. Solyndra, which borrowed extensively to ready its technology for market, simply could not compete.

‘Thin-film has its work cut out. Lots of companies in the thin-film area could run into trouble because the demand for crystal silicon is still so high,’ said West. Crystalline silicon cell production accounted for 86% of the PV equipment market by cell technology in 2010, according to VLSI Research.

VLSIresearchCopyright © 2011 VLSI Research Inc. All rights reserved. PV Production Forum, Hamburg, September 2011

7

Pricing – Retail Prices $/Wp

Solar PV Panel Price

Performance

Issued on behalf of the International Photovoltaic Equipment Association | www.ipvea.org | [email protected] | IPVEA UPDATE | OCTOBER 2011 update

PV PRODUCTION FORUM

Outlook and PV equipment market dynamicsFor equipment suppliers the outlook for the short-term will see a decline in demand, before starting to recover again towards the end of 2012. The utilisation rates of the major cell manufacturers are still high, according to

West. ‘The top 15-20 of cell makers are running at 80% capacity. Inventories have been rising but are starting to fall again and this means that customers will start to order equipment again.’ West’s outlook for 2012 suggested that the PV market will be down by only 5% but long term the growth rate will be 5% to 10%.

West also highlighted the change in dynamics of the PV equipment market since 2006, showing how the market has become more balanced globally. In 2006, at 57%, Europe claimed the largest share of equipment suppliers. In 2010, Europe’s share was 42%, still the largest, followed next by the US with 25%, which grew from 9% in 2006. In Asia, Japan’s share has fallen to 10% since 2006, while China’s has grown from 10% in 2006 to 17% in 2010. ‘We don’t see China exceeding 20% of the equipment supply market, the threat is from countries such as South Korea’, suggested West.

Not only are the tier one PV producers investing in ramping up capacity to achieve economies of scale, many manufacturers are focused on squeezing higher efficiencies out crystalline silicon cells and modules. Suntech is now producing its high efficiency Pluto cells based on its PERL selective emitter technology, originating from research by University of New South Wales. DuPont’s acquisition of Innovalight is a canny move enabling the PV materials supplier to provide a cost-effective selective emitter technology, based on silicon ink, for enhancing crystalline silicon cell efficiencies.

Manz Automation is focusing on both opportunities in thin film – having achieved 14% efficiency CIGS cells on production equipment – and also the crystalline silicon PV industry’s push towards high efficiency

modules. ‘We put a lot of effort into developing technologies that can increase and enhance efficiency levels. These can bring existing production lines back to some degree of profitability before needing replacing,’ said Panellist Dieter Manz, the company’s CEO.

For equipment suppliers a lull in demand reveals other opportunities. Many cell and module manufacturers will take the time during quieter periods to review equipment lines and make upgrades, providing business for equipment suppliers. Recently, for example, Meyer Burger subsidiary 3S Modultec, which supplies lamination systems for PVs, secured an order from ZNShine Solar for new lamination lines to replace existing laminators currently in use ZNShine’s Chinese plant.

VLSIresearchCopyright © 2011 VLSI Research Inc. All rights reserved. PV Production Forum, Hamburg, September 2011

23

Europe57%

China10%

Korea1%

Japan18%

North America

9%

Other5%

2006 - $2.1Bn

Europe42%

China17%

Korea2%

Japan10%

North America

25%

Other4%

2010 - $10.3Bn

PV Equipment Suppliers by Region of Company HQ

PV Equipment Suppliers by

Region of Company HQ


Thin fi lm thinkingWhile the PV industry may be all about crystalline silicon technology today, much of the morning session’s debate and discussion centred on thin fi lm. Even panellist Stuart Wenham, Suntech’s CTO, while explaining Suntech’s decision to only focus on crystalline silicon, acknowledged thin fi lm’s longer term promise. ‘Crystalline silicon has dropped so much in cost it has stopped thin fi lm being competi ti ve. Effi ciencies need to be much higher for thin fi lm – around 15% for it to properly compete. Suntech’s is back in the lab, but it sti ll has future potenti al.’

According to panellist Peter Tinner, Oerlikon Solar’s Head of Sales and Marketi ng, ‘the industry has reached overcapacity. However, we believe strongly in thin fi lm – the crystalline silicon costs are starti ng to level out now. Thin fi lm silicon has potenti al to be much lower to produce.’ Indeed, China is emerging as playing a key role in the ramp up of thin fi lm silicon capacity in the coming years.

Dieter Manz said the big potenti al of thin fi lm is the amount of scope for scaling up, such as bigger substrate sizes and so on. ‘This is what has occurred in the displays industry. There is lots of room for cost reducti on in CIGS thin fi lm.’

It was agreed that for thin fi lm to be truly competi ti ve with crystalline silicon the focus is on improving effi ciencies as well as scaling up capacity.

Panellist Dr Peter Fath, CTO of Centrotherm Photovoltaics, observed: ‘Thin fi lm has its place in the market, between 15-20%, for things like BIPV. If I look at thin fi lm technology in terms of a winner in future, effi ciencies need to be higher. In terms of disrupti ve technologies the market for fancy stuff , such as the solyndra-type product, is dead.’

‘The industry is no longer about technology it’s about markets and fi nancing,’ stated panellist Dr Charlie Gay, President of Applied Solar,

adding, ‘innovation will be in the development of fi nancing models as the mechanism for scaling development.’

Despite the need to brace itself for the months ahead, a bullish outlook for the PV industry emerged by the end of the market session. As West pointed out the real explosion in solar PV will occur once prices fall well below grid parity and as Solyndra has shown, it’s surviving the ti me leading up that matt ers most.

The 3rd PV Production Forum, co-organized by IPVEA and EU PVSEC is planned for next year’s show, taking place in Frankfurt. nearer the

time, IPVEA will communicate the programme outline and opportunities

for presenting and pane ls to its members.

Details of the programme as well as presentations including the market outlook given by John West at VLSI Research can be found on IPVEA’s website at the following link:

The 3rd PV Production Forum, co-organized by IPVEA and EU PVSEC is planned for next year’s show, taking place in Frankfurt. nearer the

time, IPVEA will communicate the programme outline and opportunities

BACK FOR 2012

PV Production Forum 2011, produced by IPVEA in partnership with EU PVSEC, included the following in panel discussions:

Dr Stuart Wenham, CTO, Suntech

Dr Huang Qiang, VP of Technology, Director of State key Lab of PV Science and Technology, China, Trina Solar

Dieter Manz, CEO, Manz Automation

Peter Tinner, Head of Sales & Marketing, Oerlikon Solar

Dr Peter Fath, CTO, Centrotherm Photovoltaics

Dr Charlie Gay, President, Applied Solar

Peter Pauli, CEO, Meyer Burger

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update

The Fifth Annual SNEC 5th International Photovoltaic Power Generation Conference & Exhibition (SNEC 2011 PV POWER EXPO), came to a successful end on February 24, 2011, once again breaking the attendance record of PV exhibitions previously held in Asia.

The Shanghai event was approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China and jointly organised by 15 international associations and organisations, including IPVEA.

Photovoltaic companies from 90 countries were presented, including Germany, UK, France, USA, Canada, Japan, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Singapore, South Korea, Russia, India and Taiwan.

The convention served 1,838 exhibitors covering 150,000 square meters of exhibition space, and was attended by more than 180,000 visitors.

As the economic center of China, the world’s largest developing country, as well as a metropolis that has witnessed advanced technologies and market forces, Shanghai has naturally become a major business hub for PV-related aggregation, communication and expansion.

At SNEC 2011, industrial experts, scholars and entrepreneurs gathered here to discuss the evolving solar and PV market, industry development strategies, policy directions, and cutting-edge technologies.

Upon the success of the first five SNEC events, Shanghai New Energy Industry Association (SNEIA) has already scheduled next year’s event, SNEC 6th (2012) International Photovoltaic Power Generation Conference & Exhibition [SNEC (2012) PV POWER EXPO] from May 7 to 9, 2012 at Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC), China.

IPVEA SUPPORTED EVENTS

EU PVSEC Images from the event


PV Power Plants – USA 2011 • 30 nov – 1 Dec 2011Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, Phoenix, Arizona• Markets • Political framework• Infrastructure • Financing • TechnologyIPVEA members will receive a 10% discount on the event’s admission fee.

In its third year, the PV Power Plants conference will shed light on all relevant aspects of utility-scale solar develop ment. Experts from around the globe will provide insight into the current market and its future developments.

In addition the event’s extensive complementary program includes two facility tours (Suntech and Power-One) and a workshop on ‘Dos and Don’ts in project development’.

For more information: http://www.solarpraxis.de/en/conferences/pv-power-plants-usa-2011/general-information/

October 18th 2011, 8.00am – 10.30amw Dallas – Victory Hotel2440 Victory Park Lane, Dallas, TX 75219 Bringing together local solar professionals with global corporations, Joint Forces for Solar is planning the 4th US PV Breakfast Briefing & networking Forum on October 18th 2011. Take full advantage of this unique opportunity to get together with those who matter to your business. Get the day off to a leisurely yet effective start, no trade fair hustle and bustle, but informative discussions, time to explore new business ideas and interact with an exclusive solar audience. For IPVEA members Joint Forces for Solar is offering free registration for the 4th US PV Breakfast Briefing & networking Forum. To register, go to http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=999916 and use one of the following discount codes for no charge:

- Market Intermediary, discount code: jf4sdallas

- Exclusive Invitation, discount code: jf4sexclusive

PV SHOW ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES

From October 31 to 4 november 2011 is the Singapore International Energy Week. During the week, from 1-4 november SnEC’s organiser is putting on PV ASIA PACIFIC. The four-day

show will cover the gamut of the PV industry value chain, bringing together industry and government to discuss trends, strategies and policy directions in the solar and PV market. SIEw will kick off with the Establishment Ceremony of Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association APVIA www.apvia.org.

Details about Singapore International Energy week, including PV ASIA PACIFIC can be found at www.siew.sg

Following the successes of five previous events, Shanghai new Energy Industry Association (SnEIA) plans to hold SnEC 6th International Photovoltaic Power Generation Conference & Exhibition (SnEC PV POwER EXPO) from May 16 to 18, 2012 at Shanghai new International Expo Center (SnIEC), in China.

As the economic centre of China, the world’s largest developing country, the metropolis of Shanghai is best placed to become the central business hub for PV-related aggregation, communication and expansion in China and Asia and potentially globally. SnEC 2011 drew over 180,000 visitors and 1830 exhibitors worldwide, making it the largest ever PV expo organised in Asia. To find out more visit www.snec.org.cn

Registration discounts available to members for Solar Power International (SPI) 2011IPVEA is a partnering organisation for SPI’s upcoming event from October 17–20, 2011. The agreement entitles IPVEA members who are not members of the national SEIA or SEPA associations 15% off of the registration rate for the show.

To obtain the code to qualify for the discount email Bryan Ekus at [email protected]. Details of the show can be found at www.solarpowerinternational.com.

update

12th Forum Solarpraxis 17 & 18 nov 2011, Maritim proArte Hotel, Berlin Recent developments in photovoltaic and solar thermal systems will be opened up for discussion at the 12th Forum Solarpraxis, Europe’s renowned industry meeting place in Berlin. The conference will bring representatives from politics, finance and the press together around the same table with the solar industry.

IPVEA members recieve a discounted rate of 795 EUR instead of 945 EUR. Use ‘IPVEA’ when registering. The program is available under: http://www.solarpraxis.de/en/conferences/12th-forum-solarpraxis/program/

Contact: Miriam Hegner, Solarpraxis AGPhone: +49 (0)30 / 72 62 96-304, E-Mail: [email protected]

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Automatic bussing. Trackers.

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monitoring. Quality standard

testing. Insurance. Design.

Whether an investor,

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opportunities afforded by solar

are endless. Be a part of it.

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ipvea update - october 2011

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