Hamburg, Germany (EU PVSEC, SEMI PV Group stand B2U/16a) – September 22, 2009

SEMI Europe / PV Group presented the SEMI Europe Standards Merit Award 2009. The award was bestowed by Anton Milner, CEO of Q-Cells, at the EPIA/SEMI PV Standards Technical Committee meeting on 22 September.

The PV Equipment Interface Specification (EIS) task force developed the “SEMI PV2 Guide for PV Equipment Communication Interfaces” that presents the framework to Standardize PV Manufacturing Equipment Communication Interfaces. This SEMI PV2 standard was published in July 2009 and marks a significant industry milestone as it defines a unified equipment communication interface for PV production system. The standard will provide multiple benefits to the PV industry including shorter factory ramp-up times, increased product functionality, simplified system requirement specifications, and increased potential cost savings for manufacturers.

“The SEMI Europe Standards Award was established in 2001, but for the very first time, it is presented to an entire team. The PV EIS team worked diligently and collaboratively for a year and a half— with exceptional results. The award is well deserved. Congratulations!” said Carlos Lee from SEMI Europe PV Group.

• Mathias Glaser, Manz Automation (taskforce leader)
• Matthias Meier, Fraunhofer IPA (taskforce leader)
• Michael Kurz, acp-IT
• Manuel Boltz, acp-IT
• Friedemann Fincke, AIS Automation
• Volker Buschendorf, AIS Automation
• Hans-Peter Jakob, Centrotherm
• Bruce Febvret, Cimetrix
• Brian Rubow, Cimetrix
• Stefan Rein, Fraunhofer ISE
• Martin Zennig, Jonas & Redmann
• Eberhard Teichmann, PEER Group
• Christian Hoffmann, PEER Group
• Dietmar Risse, RENA
• Thomas Vonderstrass, Solarworld
• Gerhard Kleineidam, InReCon (taskforce originator in the early phase)
• Kevin Reddig, Fraunhofer IPA (taskforce originator in the early phase)

SEMI's International Standards program has provided for 36 years a mechanism for industry experts to develop key standards for equipment and materials used in semiconductor, MEMS, flat panel display and photovoltaic factories. Standards are required to achieve commonality, decrease manufacturing costs, increase reliability and productivity, reduce rework, and facilitate access to global markets. But there is more to Standards than the final written ‘specification’ or ’guideline’, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The SEMI Standards development program allows participants to engage in valuable pre-competitive technology discussions and influence important industry trends to help companies stay competitive. The work conducted in developing these consensus specifications is vital to the health and development of our industries. SEMI International Standards is successful thanks to the commitment of several thousand volunteers from companies representing all sectors of the industry and from many regions of the world.

The PV Group is a SEMI special interest group that serves the photovoltaic supply chain. Participating companies provide manufacturing equipment, materials, cells, modules, sub-systems, and components to the solar energy industry worldwide. The PV Group mission is to advance industry growth, support continuous efficiency improvements and promote sustainable business practices through international standards development, events, public policy advocacy, EHS support, market intelligence, and other services. For more information, visit: www.pvgroup.org

Carlos Lee

Sr. Manager, Brussels Office

SEMI Europe / PV Group

Tel: +32 2 2896497

Mobile + 32 473 300433

www.pvgroup.org