"We are at the stage of a transistor radio, but want to get to
the iPod," said Dietmar Roth, CEO of
Roth &
Rau, at the recent
3rd Photovoltaic Fab
Manager Conference in Dresden, making the
case for standardisation in the materials and processes for solar
energy production equipment.
The No.1 aim of standardisation, said Roth, is to drive the cost
of solar energy production down to the level of electricity
production. The No.2 aim is to keep Europe as the No.1 producer of
solar energy production equipment.
"It is important that innovations continue to come from here",
said Roth, "this is how we can ensure the continued competitiveness
of the companies in this sector."
The ultimate goal of standardization efforts in the solar
industry is to achieve so-called 'grid parity'. Grid parity is
achieved, when the price for photovoltaic electricity is equal to
power-outlet electricity.
The competitiveness of the PV industry depends on this goal
being reached. Prices are dropping quickly and modules produced by
Chinese manufacturers are down to 2.30 Euro per Watt - one third
lower than autumn 2008.
"The industry's first standard is silicon," said Joachim Nell,
chief executive of Masdar, "our next step will be to set standards
for the material properties of silicon, since silicon for the solar
industry differs from high-rate silicon in the semiconductor
industry. In addition we need equipment specifically developed for
the photovoltaic industry."
The PV manufacturers are members of SEMI, the
semiconductor manufacturing equipment trade body, which makes SEMI
the natural body to set photovoltaic standards through its PV
group.
"Setting standards is crucial but difficult", said Heinz
Kundert, European CEO of SEMI, "because it requires a major
commitment from all involved, and because companies concerned often
have different interests. We have long standing experience in
moderating these processes, and have at our command the
international network required to involve all parties world-wide.
For this reason the PV Group is the ideal platform to enact
standards in the photovoltaic sector."
See also: Mannerisms, the blog of David
Manners. Updated twice daily, it's the distinctive, entertaining,
authoritative and never dull commentary on the semiconductor
industry, from someone who knows.
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