San Jose-based industry association Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) announced late Monday that it has formed a photovoltaic (PV) group, given that 20% of SEMI members currently play a role in the PV industry and the crossover of technologies and industry structure is high.

SEMI believes it is uniquely positioned to support the PV industry growth through reduced costs, efficient technology transfer, global market development, industry standards, market statistics, and other service.

Global PV market

The group also noted that recent estimates project the global PV market to grow from $13 billion today to more than $40 billion in 2012. As such, the PV industry is dependent upon continued technological development, cost reduction, responsible public policies, and industry collaboration for continued long term growth.

SEMI noted that the PV group was conceived by leaders in photovoltaic manufacturing to address the opportunities and obstacles to bringing low-cost PV technology and sustainable, clean energy to the world, and as the only global industry group focused on PV materials, equipment, and manufacturing, SEMI believes it can play a role in the cost reduction and rapid expansion of solar energy.

The SEMI PV Group is comprised of SEMI members active in PV, SEMI PV Advisory Committees, and dedicated staff in Europe, North America, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, and China.

PV-related events

Currently, SEMI organizes a range of PV-related events including PV-focused technical events at executive and technical conferences such the Industry Strategy Symposiums (ISS), all SEMICON expositions in Europe, Asia, and North America, PV Fab Managers Forums, and executive forums and roundtables held throughout the world.

Additional SEMI services and activities in the PV area include market research and statistics programs, support for public policy initiatives through direct advocacy and coordination with other information groups, Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) regulatory support, serving as information clearinghouse for PV manufacturing news and information, and facilitating international industry standards that reduce costs and expand business opportunities for SEMI members.

Also, SEMI’s PV group is working with other industry associations including the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA), the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA), and others.

The PV advisory committee is comprised of executives representing major PV regions around the globe, and includes representatives from Applied Materials, Wacker Chemie, MoTech, Sharp, NeoSolar, KoSolCo, Centrotherm, GTSolar, MEMC, Meyer & Burger, JPEA, JRC Ispra, Suntech Power, FhG ISE and AIST.

By Ann Steffora Mutschler, Senior Editor - Electronic News

See also: the Electronics Weekly focus on solar cells, presenting a roundup of content related to photovoltaic technologies, converting light sources to energy.