In 2010, the international PV industry saw its turnover double with around 15 gigawatts (GW) of newly installed PV capacity, making 2010 the industry's most successful year to date. By way of comparison, new capacity totaled 7.1 GW in 2009, and 2008 saw approximately 5.7 GW installed worldwide. Huge price cuts in 2009 combined with the positive effects of international subsidization programs played a significant role in this development.
In order to stand up to increasing competition and price pressure in this dynamic market, both now and in the future, manufacturers constantly need to optimize their production processes. To address this need, the world's largest exhibition for the solar industry, Intersolar Europe, is increasing its range of offerings of PV production technology by presenting the most innovative companies, power plants, machines, technologies and systems in this field from June 8 to 10 in Hall A5 at the New Munich Trade Fair Center.
PV production technology at Intersolar Europe
In cooperation with the SEMI PV Group, the global industry association of equipment and material manufacturers specializing in photovoltaics, Intersolar Europe 2011 is dedicating a hall entirely to PV production technology for the third time.
In Hall A5, key players in production technology from across the globe are presenting their innovations, products, services and much more, in the following areas: automation, cell and module production, thin film technology, software, gases and chemicals, and solar glass. The importance of this industry segment is reflected within the Intersolar AWARD 2011. In addition to the most innovative developments in Photovoltaics and Solar Thermal Technology, the most promising international products and services in the PV Production Technology category are being presented with awards on the first day of Intersolar Europe.
Furthermore, a high-caliber forum dedicated to the topic of PV production technology, the "7th Advanced Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology Forum", taking place on June 7, 2011. For all experts in the industry who would like to contribute content to the event, the forum's Call for Papers open until February 25, 2011.
Important expert meetings concerning road mapping and standardization will also take place during Intersolar Europe 2011. For more information please go to www.pvgroup.org
Higher efficiency at lower costs
Even though Germany's feed-in tariff has been reduced, following suit with France, the Czech Republic and Spain, the global market is still expected to grow 25 percent in 2011 to around 20.4 GW. Global PV manufacturers are looking to the future with optimism, however, and plan to continue expanding their production capacities, which will lead to a further fall in prices in the medium-term.
If costs continue to drop lower than the feed-in tariffs, the industry can hope for multi-digit growth in the future. The ongoing automation of manufacturing and new manufacturing techniques have already lead to reduced production costs on an almost daily basis, resulting in lower module prices.
Yet the industry still sees clear potential for further advancement many production stages. This is why technology and equipment suppliers are focusing on PV components with higher efficiency levels, more effici ent manufacturing processes and the reduction of costs per Watt. From silicon production to wafer manufacturing; solar cells and modules to integrated solar factories; new technologies are being developed and proven processes optimized.
Increasing expenditure for PV production
The American market research institute, iSuppli, estimated the PV industry's expenditure on production equipment to be approximately $11 million for 2010. In 2008, the volume of this market was still only around $5 million. Furthermore, the global market for module manufacturing automation components alone was estimated at just under $450 million in 2008. Currently, experts predict that this market volume will exceed $1.2 billion by as early as 2013.
Grid Parity at the center of research and development
The ability of solar power to compete with traditional electricity production (known as grid parity) in the short to medium-term lies at the heart of the international photovoltaic industry's efforts.
Europe, the United States and Japan have all prepared schedules for research and development, that promote technical innovations in this area. New developments in the market-dominating crystalline photovoltaics segment enable ever-increasing efficiency.
But there is promising potential in thin film technology, too. Modules made from cadmium telluride are currently recognized for having the lowest production costs in the world. Other interesting developments in alternative thin film technologies, such as CIS/CIGS or micromorph modules, are also expected in the future.
In addition, research institutions and companies are pursuing new approaches, such as the use of silicon ink, innovative etching and coating processes, multilayer solar cells and new contacting methods. Research work in laboratories currently focuses on nanotechnologies which can considerably increase the absorption of light in solar cells. These are just a few examples of the innovations awaiting visitors to this year's Intersolar Europe.
Intersolar Europe 2011 takes place from June 8-10 at the New Munich Trade Fair Center.
