EXPO Solar 2010 offers timely outlook for global PV market

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: Over 3 bustling days, from 3 to 5 February, 2010, the photovoltaic market was all abuzz at one spot, at KINTEX, Korea. After its huge success last year, EXPO Solar came back this year to get even more enthusiastic welcome and responses from exhibitors and visitors.

After a very difficult year in 2009, the PV market is witnessing some signs of recovery all over the world. As the global PV market begins its path to recovery, solar professionals headed to EXPO Solar 2010 to gauge the market sentiment.

Across three days, the event attracted an average of 10,000 visitors per day and brought over 1,000 key buyers from major PV markets including Germany, Italy and the US

World-class electronics giants Samsung and LG showed their seriousness about solar by participating in EXPO Solar 2010 -- their first-ever participation in an event of its kind.

Samsung Electronics unveiled its c-Si solar cells with 18% efficiency and modules with 255Wp for the first time to the international market. LG Electronics introduced its thin-film solar cells with world's top-level efficiency of 11.1 percent.

Over 300 market-leading companies participated including Schmalz, Schmid, TEMPRESS, TIGO ENERGY, KLA-Tencor, Synova SA, EFD (a NORDSON company), Coherent, Jonas & Redmann Photovoltaics Production Solutions, Kaco New Energy, NPC, Vector Japan, Trina Solar, Astronergy, ET Solar, C.E.E.G, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Nexolon, SKC, LST Energy, Dyesoltimo, Jusung Engineering, SFA, AMC, EO Technics, Paru, GNR, D-Solartech and Samyang Reduction Gear.

Exhibitors reported results that exceeded expectations. "The visibility and exposure we generated at this event among key influencers has been invaluable for us as we expand our business to Asia and the world," said Jerome Mazet, APAC Marketing Manager of Trina Solar.

Commenting on the continued growth of EXPO Solar, Jeffrey Choi, Chairman of the EXPO Solar Organizing Committee, said, "More than 65 percent of the exhibitors of EXPO Solar 2010 have not only booked their space for the 2011 event, but doubled their booth size."

The next EXPO Solar will be held from 16 to 18 February, 2011, at KINTEX, Korea.