SVTC, Roth & Rau in solar technology collaboration

SEMICON West 2009, SAN FRANCISCO, USA: Responding to emerging opportunities in the US solar market as well as economic stimulus funding, SVTC Technologies and Roth & Rau have renewed and expanded their partnership and are establishing a 30 megawatt (MW) world-class photovoltaic (PV) development and manufacturing center located in California’s Silicon Valley in the City of San Jose.

SVTC Technologies is a provider of technology development and commercialization services to global semiconductor-based clients, and Roth & Rau is a world-leading solar equipment manufacturer based in Germany.

Through the new 30 MW Silicon Valley Photovoltaic Development Center, SVTC and Roth & Rau will offer a full range of manufacturing equipment and services to companies engaged in the development and production of solar cells.

Changing conditions favor solar success
Worldwide, the solar PV market is expected to reach $34 billion by 2013. The economic stimulus bill, signed into law in February 2009, is making billions of dollars available through the US Department of Energy (DoE) for renewable energy investment in US companies, including those engaged in solar energy development and manufacturing.

During 2008, almost $4 billion was invested in solar technologies. However, with the recent market down-turn, most solar development companies in the US, including both start-ups and established firms, do not have access to either the capital equipment or cost-effective, complete development solutions they need to succeed.

Without such access, it is unlikely that most US solar start-ups can survive more than two years, or that established companies will thrive and reach their potential.

“Our relationship with Roth & Rau, developed over a year ago, has enabled SVTC to respond rapidly to new opportunities resulting from changing market conditions and stimulus funding for solar energy development by the US government,” said Joe Bronson, CEO of SVTC Technologies.

“SVTC has proven the value of its business model of providing equipment and development capabilities for the commercialization of products in the semiconductor portion of its business.

"We will adapt the same concept to the emerging US solar business to accelerate its ability to grow the market for solar cells. We are delighted to move forward with a strong partner of Roth & Rau's standing and expertise and we both expect to accelerate the commercialization process in solar cell development while providing significant cost abatement to the industry resulting from their ability to access a world-class manufacturing line instead of investing considerable sums in their own pilot production facilities.”

“The timing is right for a big push into the US market for solar technologies, especially in California and Silicon Valley,” said Dietmar Roth, CEO of Roth & Rau AG.

“By partnering with SVTC, Roth & Rau will gain access to the nation’s highest concentration of solar product development companies as well as establish a high-profile presence in Silicon Valley. We are very enthusiastic about the market for PV development and manufacturing in the US, which we believe is poised for rapid growth.”

SVTC and Roth & Rau have significantly expanded the scope of their original plans for the Silicon Valley Photovoltaic Development Center, increasing the capacity of the manufacturing line from 5 MW to 30 MW, to meet the greater demand from solar development companies.

The Silicon Valley Photovoltaic Development Center, which is scheduled to be operational by Q1 2010, will offer a full range of low-cost development solutions along with the 30 MW solar cell production line. The manufacturing line will consist of state-of-the-art Roth & Rau equipment and will also include tools from other world-class solar equipment suppliers.