Jun 6 2008
Abu Dhabi-based alternative energy firm Masdar PV will be investing US$2 billion in thin-film photovoltaic solar technology, as part of its drive to become a world leader in renewable energy. Applied Materials will provide the equipment. This announcement was made at the end of May 2008.
More recently, German solar cell producer Q-Cells has signed an agreement with the Mexican federal government to build a thin-film modules factory in Mexicali, the state capital of Baja California. Q-Cells will invest up to $3.5 billion in the mid to long term. With the new plant, the company expects to achieve improved access to the American growth markets and guard against currency fluctuations.
Why are these major solar thin-film initiatives happening now?
At the conference entitled ‘Thin-Film Future – Shortcut to Grid Parity?’ to be held on 11 June in Munich, some high-level experts will talk about the developments in thin-film solar technologies:
Travis Bradford, President of the Prometheus Institute and global PV industry analyst and expert, will be one of the speakers discussing the spectacular growth of the thin-film industry.
Charlie Gay, VP and CEO of AMAT Solar, will elaborate on their thin-film strategy. George Hanna will talk about recent developments from German manufacturer Q-Cells. Thin-film global market leader First Solar will be represented by its General Manager from Germany. Martin Roscheisen, CEO of CIGS thin-film manufacturer Nanosolar, will offer his opinion on how module prices can be reduced to below $1 per Watt. Ravi Khanna, CEO of Moser Baer Photovoltaic, a subsidiary of the world’s leading manufacturer of optical media, will explain why his company will be investing over $1 billion in thin-film technology.
Other key speakers:
- Chris Constantine (Oerlikon Solar)
- Manfred Bächler (Phoenix solar)
- Fumihiro Tanikawa (Kaneka).
- Charlie Han (NexPower)
- Romain Henricart (QS Solar)
The conference will be held at the Sofitel in central Munich.
For registration or further information, go to: www.thethin-filmfuture.com.
The conference is scheduled just before the start of Intersolar, the world’s largest technology trade fair for solar energy, which will be taking place in Munich from 12 to 14 June 2008.