SEMI PV Group - The Grid, December 2012 IN THIS ISSUE Silver Pastes: Extending the Limits SOLARCON China 2013 Provides Technology-Focused Platform First Solar and SunPower set up roots in China Japan: Update on International PV Module Quality Assurance Forum When Will Global PV Supply and Demand Re-balance? SEMI China PV Standards Committee Update Inert Gas Fusion IR Detection Test Method Round Robin Participants Sought CALENDAR March 10-13, 2013 7th SEMI Europe PV Fab Managers Forum March 19-21, 2013 SOLARCON China 2013 June 5-6, 2013 SOLARCON Russia Conference & Pavilion 2013 June 19-21, 2013 Intersolar Europe, PV Production & Technologies 2013 July 9-11, 2013 Intersolar North America, PV Production & Technologies 2013 PARTNER EVENTS February 26-27, 2013 NEW Program Announced! OTTI's 3rd European American Solar Deployment Conference PV Rollout Critical Moment to Join Forces along the PV Value Chain By Stephan Raithel, Director PV Europe, SEMI In my last article for this newsletter in March 2012, I began with a call for cooperation and precompetitive discussions to ensure alignment along the supply chain. Nine months later, I can only reiterate the need for action. As the industry struggles under the heavy weight of production over-capacity, and trade disputes strain global business relationships, it is important to step back and take a broader view of our industry, a view that encompasses the entire PV ecosystem. We must join forces in order to remain successful and now more than ever, it is crucial that organizations all along the value chain come together and discuss fields of application, storage solutions, grid expansion and integration as well as the challenges they commonly face together. And we must commit to moving forward collectively. (More...) Silver Pastes: Extending the Limits By Stephan Raithel, SEMI Europe, Weiming Zhang and David P. McMullen, Heraeus Precious Metals North America Conshohocken LLC The photovoltaics industry has been very successful in reducing the amount of silver per cell in the past several years. And further reductions are possible. SOLARCON China 2013 Provides Technology-Focused Platform for Innovation, Quality, Technology Roadmaps and Standards By SEMI China Leading companies representing the entire PV supply chain will participate in SOLARCON China 2013 -- from PV manufacturers and cell/module makers to equipment and materials suppliers. First Solar and SunPower Overcome the Great Wall, Set up Roots in China By Matthew Feinstein, Lux Research Though dominant crystalline silicon (x-Si) Chinese manufacturers are expected to satisfy the majority of the fast-growing Chinese demand market, two differentiated American suppliers are making plays to secure a foothold there as well through partnerships with domestic companies. Japan: Update on International PV Module Quality Assurance Forum By Sarah Kurtz, NREL The 3rd International PV Module Quality Assurance Forum was held at Iino Hall, in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday, Nov. 27th, 2012. When Will Global PV Supply and Demand Re-balance? By Toby Liu, SEMI China At the end of November 2012, module prices dropped to a record low value of US$0.7/W in the Chinese PV market while no sign of a stable module price emerged. SEMI China Photovoltaic Standards Committee Update By SEMI China The China PV industry is increasingly active in SEMI Standards development and over 90 technologists from 36 companies attended the meeting. Inert Gas Fusion IR Detection Test Method Round Robin Participants Sought By Kevin Nguyen, SEMI This test method can be used to analyze the oxygen content in PV Silicon Materials for photovoltaic applications. It may also be used for semiconductor grade silicon materials. Are you a SEMI member? Learn more about how SEMI works to advance PV industry growth, support continuous efficiency improvements and promote sustainable business practices through international standards development, events, public policy, EHS, and market data.

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