HAMBURG, GERMANY (EU PVSEC, Stand B2U/16a): The PV Group announced an important milestone in the scope and coverage of PV global standards efforts through the formation of Photovoltaic Standards Committees in Japan and Taiwan.
The initial focus of work in the Japan Committee will be to standardize the dimensions of thin-film substrates, while Taiwan recently started developing standards for crystalline-silicon cell appearance as well as a vibration test method. The new standards development groups join SEMI Standards committees in Europe and North America, which have been active since 2006.
Industry stakeholders believe that creation of consistent cross-border manufacturing standards and safety guidelines can dramatically lower costs, improve quality and accelerate innovation in the PV industry. SEMI has 36 years of experience and proven expertise in this area with nearly 800 manufacturing standards and safety guidelines currently in place.
The PV Group, a special interest group of SEMI, promotes standards development for all aspects of PV manufacturing including thin films, machine interface, process control and others through the SEMI International Standards process and in collaboration with partner associations around the globe.
The PV Standards Committee’s charter is to explore, evaluate, discuss, and create consensus-based standard measurement methods, specifications, guidelines, and practices. Through voluntary compliance, these consensus-based standards will promote mutual understanding and improved communication between users and suppliers of photovoltaic manufacturing equipment, materials and services— enhancing manufacturing efficiency, shortening time-to-market, and reducing PV industry manufacturing cost.
In 2008, a Taiwan PV Standards Working Group was formed. The group held more than 30 meetings over the last year, consolidating the needs and requirements of the Taiwan PV industry. The Taiwan PV Standards Committee consists of key players from all segments of the PV manufacturing chain— manufacturers of materials, equipment, wafers, cells, modules, thin films, as well as academia, local industry associations and research institutes. Committee leaders include staff from Chroma, DelSolar, UL Taiwan, and ITRI.
The Japan PV Committee will work to include liaisons and synergies with other SEMI technical committees for the development of PV-related standards. The PV Standards Committee will explore and develop standards that pertain to common criteria, guidelines, methods for control and comparison of PV-related process/metrology equipment, materials, components, or manufacturing operations.
It will seek to support the international need for increasing PV product/process yield and reducing related PV costs per Watt peak. This committee will investigate opportunities towards harmonization of PV-related efforts with other SDOs. In addition to the above, the committee will facilitate any industry initiatives towards product standardization needs.
Recently, the SEMI PV Group released a Standards Guidance Document that identified 64 SEMI Standards topics as “Applicable” to the PV industry. Thirty-one SEMI Standards topics were rated as “Top Priority” for their potential to deliver immediate cost benefits to the industry with limited revision.
This summer, an important Standard was passed that defines a unified equipment communication interface for PV production systems (PV2-0709). Earlier in the year, a standardized test method for detecting elemental impurities in photovoltaic silicon feedstock was approved (PV1-0309).
Showing posts with label SEMI PV Group. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SEMI PV Group. Show all posts
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Intersolar expands into India!
HYDERABAD, INDIA: Intersolar, the world's largest trade show for solar technology, is expanding into India.
Intersolar India will take place for the first time in 2009 in association with SOLARCON India, being held in Hyderabad from November 9-11. Alongside the Intersolar events in Munich and San Francisco, the trade show will now have a third international location.
Together with SOLARCON India, Intersolar India is the leading conference for the photovoltaics industry in India. The three-day program will be complemented by an inaugural accompanying exhibition which is due to be greatly expanded for 2010 and onward.
The collaboration in India sees Intersolar further increases its well-established partnership with SEMI PV Group, the leading global industry association for the semiconductor and photovoltaics industry and organizer of SOLARCON.
This year's conference will focus on the development of the Indian PV market. The event will be inaugurated on November 9 by key officials from the Government of India, Government of Andhra Pradesh and industry leaders. Prof. Eicke Weber, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) of Freiburg is slated to deliver the keynote.
Upcoming Indian solar market
India has long been considered a potentially attractive market for solar technology by the industry. With the new "National Action Plan on Climate Change" that was adopted by the Indian government in 2008, that hope is now being realized.
According to plans drawn up by the "National Solar Mission" at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, solar installations with a total capacity of 20 gigawatts (GW) are to be installed in India by 2020. To achieve this objective, photovoltaic installations, including rooftop, ground-based arrays and off-grid applications, as well as solar thermal power plants, will be key.
It is an ambitious goal. As only a few projects have been implemented to date, most of the planned 20GW will have to be realized within the next 11 years. This amounts to annual installation of approximately 1.8GW.
If achieved, India would join the current leading nations in rate of annual installed solar technology. Therefore, the opportunities in the Indian market are particularly robust at the present time, and ever-more international solar companies are reacting to this new development.
SOLARCON India and Intersolar India 2009
Intersolar India, just like Intersolar North America, is being jointly organized by Solar Promotion International GmbH and Freiburg Management and Marketing International GmbH (FMMI).
SOLARCON India is being organized by PV Group, which is an initiative of SEMI, the global association for the semiconductor and photovoltaics industry. SOLARCON India and Intersolar India are supported by the leading Indian solar companies.
Intersolar India will take place for the first time in 2009 in association with SOLARCON India, being held in Hyderabad from November 9-11. Alongside the Intersolar events in Munich and San Francisco, the trade show will now have a third international location.
Together with SOLARCON India, Intersolar India is the leading conference for the photovoltaics industry in India. The three-day program will be complemented by an inaugural accompanying exhibition which is due to be greatly expanded for 2010 and onward.
The collaboration in India sees Intersolar further increases its well-established partnership with SEMI PV Group, the leading global industry association for the semiconductor and photovoltaics industry and organizer of SOLARCON.
This year's conference will focus on the development of the Indian PV market. The event will be inaugurated on November 9 by key officials from the Government of India, Government of Andhra Pradesh and industry leaders. Prof. Eicke Weber, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) of Freiburg is slated to deliver the keynote.
Upcoming Indian solar market
India has long been considered a potentially attractive market for solar technology by the industry. With the new "National Action Plan on Climate Change" that was adopted by the Indian government in 2008, that hope is now being realized.
According to plans drawn up by the "National Solar Mission" at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, solar installations with a total capacity of 20 gigawatts (GW) are to be installed in India by 2020. To achieve this objective, photovoltaic installations, including rooftop, ground-based arrays and off-grid applications, as well as solar thermal power plants, will be key.
It is an ambitious goal. As only a few projects have been implemented to date, most of the planned 20GW will have to be realized within the next 11 years. This amounts to annual installation of approximately 1.8GW.
If achieved, India would join the current leading nations in rate of annual installed solar technology. Therefore, the opportunities in the Indian market are particularly robust at the present time, and ever-more international solar companies are reacting to this new development.
SOLARCON India and Intersolar India 2009
Intersolar India, just like Intersolar North America, is being jointly organized by Solar Promotion International GmbH and Freiburg Management and Marketing International GmbH (FMMI).
SOLARCON India is being organized by PV Group, which is an initiative of SEMI, the global association for the semiconductor and photovoltaics industry. SOLARCON India and Intersolar India are supported by the leading Indian solar companies.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
SEMI PV Group commends Taiwan government on passage of Renewable Energy Act
TAIPEI, TAIWAN: The Taiwan PV Advisory Committee and SEMI PV Group commend the Taiwan Government on its swift passage of the Renewable Energy Act to increase the adoption of solar power in Taiwan.
With the goal of making Taiwan the world’s third-largest producer of solar cells by 2015, SEMI Taiwan and its members have strongly pushed for a greater role for PV in the region’s renewable energy plan to boost development of the island’s green energy industries.
“On June 12, the Renewable Energy Act was successfully passed, ushering Taiwan into a new era of alternative energy development and related applications,” said Yeh Hui-ching, director of the MOEA Bureau of Energy. “Under the law, the government will provide incentives such as equipment purchase subsidies and low-interest loans to increase renewable energy generating capacity in Taiwan to between 6.5 million kilowatts and 10 million kilowatts.”
”We are happy to see that the government has shown strong commitment in passing the Renewable Energy Act during the current legislative session. Since these policies could give the industry a boost, companies are more willing to increase investment, building domestic demand and allowing for greater expansion globally, which will create more jobs in the process,” said Tsao. “SEMI pledges to continue bridging the gap between the government and industry, by relaying industry perspectives to the government.”
SEMI Taiwan has been a longtime advocate of the proliferation of PV technologies, and through its PV Group initiative is deeply involved in supporting its members across the PV supply chain through the development of PV-industry standards; Environmental, Health and Safety initiatives; market statistics, and global expositions. Taiwan PV Advisory Committee members include the CEOs of AUO, Chi-mei, E-Ton, Motech, Neo Solar Power, and Nexpower, among others.
In addition, the SEMI Taiwan PV Committee jointly drafted the "Taiwan Solar Energy Public Policy White Paper," and Tsai Chin-Yao chairman of the SEMI Taiwan PV Committee and CEO of Auriasolar acted as spokesperson to present the seven following suggestions:
1. Make imported components exempt from the commodity tax, duties, and other relevant taxes.
2. Provide low-interest project financing through financial institutions.
3. Introduce national standard certification.
4. Raise the feed-in price to at least NT 8 dollars per kw/h.
5. Require that solar energy companies comprise 1/3 of the Price Regulation Committee.
6. Expand resources from foundations.
7. Make donations of PV industry products tax-deductible or tax-exempt.
“PV manufacturers in Taiwan expect the government to help grow the industry by offering a range of tax incentives on imported parts and materials and funding support,” said Tsai Chin-Yao. ”We need officials to pay serious attention to this opportunity, and we are happy to have gained additional support from other legislators and associations who have joined us to both support and accelerate this agenda.”
After the Act had been passed, he forcast that the enactment of the statute will spark investment of NT$30 billion in Taiwan's renewable energy sector within one year. The investment could create up to 10,000 jobs and generate NT$100 billion in revenues within one to two years, he added.
The currently-approved plan is backed by a five-year budget of NT$20 billion (US$597 million), which is specifically dedicated toward investment in the research and development of green energy technologies, and is expected to, in turn, generate NT$200 billion ($5.97 billion) in private investments for the industry.
In addition, it will also provide NT$25 billion ($746 million) to promote the installation of green energy or energy-saving equipment or systems, as was indicated by the Executive Yuan.
With the goal of making Taiwan the world’s third-largest producer of solar cells by 2015, SEMI Taiwan and its members have strongly pushed for a greater role for PV in the region’s renewable energy plan to boost development of the island’s green energy industries.
“On June 12, the Renewable Energy Act was successfully passed, ushering Taiwan into a new era of alternative energy development and related applications,” said Yeh Hui-ching, director of the MOEA Bureau of Energy. “Under the law, the government will provide incentives such as equipment purchase subsidies and low-interest loans to increase renewable energy generating capacity in Taiwan to between 6.5 million kilowatts and 10 million kilowatts.”
”We are happy to see that the government has shown strong commitment in passing the Renewable Energy Act during the current legislative session. Since these policies could give the industry a boost, companies are more willing to increase investment, building domestic demand and allowing for greater expansion globally, which will create more jobs in the process,” said Tsao. “SEMI pledges to continue bridging the gap between the government and industry, by relaying industry perspectives to the government.”
SEMI Taiwan has been a longtime advocate of the proliferation of PV technologies, and through its PV Group initiative is deeply involved in supporting its members across the PV supply chain through the development of PV-industry standards; Environmental, Health and Safety initiatives; market statistics, and global expositions. Taiwan PV Advisory Committee members include the CEOs of AUO, Chi-mei, E-Ton, Motech, Neo Solar Power, and Nexpower, among others.
In addition, the SEMI Taiwan PV Committee jointly drafted the "Taiwan Solar Energy Public Policy White Paper," and Tsai Chin-Yao chairman of the SEMI Taiwan PV Committee and CEO of Auriasolar acted as spokesperson to present the seven following suggestions:
1. Make imported components exempt from the commodity tax, duties, and other relevant taxes.
2. Provide low-interest project financing through financial institutions.
3. Introduce national standard certification.
4. Raise the feed-in price to at least NT 8 dollars per kw/h.
5. Require that solar energy companies comprise 1/3 of the Price Regulation Committee.
6. Expand resources from foundations.
7. Make donations of PV industry products tax-deductible or tax-exempt.
“PV manufacturers in Taiwan expect the government to help grow the industry by offering a range of tax incentives on imported parts and materials and funding support,” said Tsai Chin-Yao. ”We need officials to pay serious attention to this opportunity, and we are happy to have gained additional support from other legislators and associations who have joined us to both support and accelerate this agenda.”
After the Act had been passed, he forcast that the enactment of the statute will spark investment of NT$30 billion in Taiwan's renewable energy sector within one year. The investment could create up to 10,000 jobs and generate NT$100 billion in revenues within one to two years, he added.
The currently-approved plan is backed by a five-year budget of NT$20 billion (US$597 million), which is specifically dedicated toward investment in the research and development of green energy technologies, and is expected to, in turn, generate NT$200 billion ($5.97 billion) in private investments for the industry.
In addition, it will also provide NT$25 billion ($746 million) to promote the installation of green energy or energy-saving equipment or systems, as was indicated by the Executive Yuan.
Friday, May 29, 2009
SEMI PV Group recommendations for China PV policy roadmap
SHANGHAI, CHINA: The SEMI PV Group announced the availability for “China’s Solar Future,” a preliminary report containing specific recommendations for a China photovoltaic (PV) policy roadmap.
As the world’s fastest growing developing country, China faces a rapidly increasing demand for energy and the country has also been building a massive PV industry representing all facets of the supply chain, from polysilicon feedstock, ingots and wafers to cells and modules. Virtually all of this PV production has been exported.
The report recommends an accelerated adoption of PV generated electric power in China to reach global average level of PV power generation by 2014.
The report was prepared by the China PV Advisory Committee, organized by the PV Group, and comprised of China PV industry and academic leaders. The China PV Advisory Committee objective is to collectively define and address issues facing the region’s PV industry, and petition the China government for PV legislation, policy and financial support.
Currently, consumption of coal and other fossil fuels has a central role in China’s economy, and the region derives almost 70 percent of its energy from it. The use of fossil fuels has a negative impact on the environment in China; generating massive amounts of carbon dioxide, and according to the World Bank, by 2020, the external costs of using coal will reach 13 percent of China’s GDP.
This comes as a result of the steady increase in China’s energy demand. On the supply-side, in 2010 by some estimates, after accounting for coal, hydro, and nuclear power, there could be a 6.4 percent shortage in electrical supply, which will need to be filled by renewable energy.
“China is just now beginning to understand the global opportunities and implications of PV products and systems, and it is creating a massive PV industry representing all areas of the supply chain,” said Dan Martin, executive vice president of the SEMI PV Group. “In fact, the ramp up has been so significant that in 2007, China took the number one spot in solar cell manufacturing with a total production of over 1GW, and in 2008, the region doubled that production. It is important that China occupy a leading position in the demand for solar power, as well as contribute to global supply,”
According to the report, even with the massive solar cell production in China, the region faces tough challenges as its PV industry grows. A key issue is the major imbalance between domestic production and domestic consumption, as 98 percent of China’s PV products are shipped to overseas markets.
Other significant challenges include China’s lack of world-class production technology for high-purity silicon and Chinese PV industry reliance on imported technology and equipment, as well as a lack of sufficient funds for R&D.
As the world’s fastest growing developing country, China faces a rapidly increasing demand for energy and the country has also been building a massive PV industry representing all facets of the supply chain, from polysilicon feedstock, ingots and wafers to cells and modules. Virtually all of this PV production has been exported.
The report recommends an accelerated adoption of PV generated electric power in China to reach global average level of PV power generation by 2014.
The report was prepared by the China PV Advisory Committee, organized by the PV Group, and comprised of China PV industry and academic leaders. The China PV Advisory Committee objective is to collectively define and address issues facing the region’s PV industry, and petition the China government for PV legislation, policy and financial support.
Currently, consumption of coal and other fossil fuels has a central role in China’s economy, and the region derives almost 70 percent of its energy from it. The use of fossil fuels has a negative impact on the environment in China; generating massive amounts of carbon dioxide, and according to the World Bank, by 2020, the external costs of using coal will reach 13 percent of China’s GDP.
This comes as a result of the steady increase in China’s energy demand. On the supply-side, in 2010 by some estimates, after accounting for coal, hydro, and nuclear power, there could be a 6.4 percent shortage in electrical supply, which will need to be filled by renewable energy.
“China is just now beginning to understand the global opportunities and implications of PV products and systems, and it is creating a massive PV industry representing all areas of the supply chain,” said Dan Martin, executive vice president of the SEMI PV Group. “In fact, the ramp up has been so significant that in 2007, China took the number one spot in solar cell manufacturing with a total production of over 1GW, and in 2008, the region doubled that production. It is important that China occupy a leading position in the demand for solar power, as well as contribute to global supply,”
According to the report, even with the massive solar cell production in China, the region faces tough challenges as its PV industry grows. A key issue is the major imbalance between domestic production and domestic consumption, as 98 percent of China’s PV products are shipped to overseas markets.
Other significant challenges include China’s lack of world-class production technology for high-purity silicon and Chinese PV industry reliance on imported technology and equipment, as well as a lack of sufficient funds for R&D.
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