SEMI PV Group ♦ The Grid, May 2012 IN THIS ISSUE Logistically Speaking - The Role of PV Standards SEMI China PV Advisory Committee Proposes Modifications to China's Electricity Law Prospect of Secondary Equipment Market Offers Nightmare Scenario for PV Supply Chain Japan: Power Shortages and FITs Clear Way for PV The State of the PV Manufacturing Segment-Rebound Remains Challenging Surviving as a Solar Manufacturer in Today's Market PV Standards Update White Paper Advocates Healthy Development of China's PV Industry Solar Plus Storage: Gaining Steam on Both Supply and Demand CALENDAR May 24, 2012 Southern Europe Networking Breakfast June 13-15, 2012 PV Production and Technology at Intersolar Europe 2012 July 9, 2012 SEMI North American PV Fab Managers Forum July 10-12, 2012 PV Production and Technology at Intersolar North America 2012 July 11-12, 2012 SEMI PV Standards Meetings at SEMICON West/Intersolar North America September 3-5, 2012 SOLARCON India 2012 October 3-5, 2012 PV Taiwan 2012 December 3-5, 2012 PVJapan 2012 PARTNER EVENTS June 6-8, 2012 PVTC 2012 November 13-14, 2012 Solar Industry Summit Middle East 2012 November 22-23, 2012 13th Forum Solarpraxis AWARDS Intersolar Europe Award Strengthening the Industry on Multiple Fronts By Bettina Weiss, Vice President, SEMI PV Group Whether in good times or bad, advocacy continues to be important. I just returned from a full day of lobbying meetings in Washington DC last week, along with several of our members, as part of our Washington Forum 2012. We met with the Department of Energy and several House and Senate offices to emphasize the importance of continuing with short-term (3-5 years) incentives in order to create a sustainable PV industry in the U.S. There is a strong sentiment among member companies about maintaining and strengthening the equipment and materials supply chain, along with R&D - since cell and module manufacturing has already largely shifted to Asia. Keeping the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and reinstating the (expired) 1603 Grant in Lieu of Tax Credits were among the primary "asks" to legislators on Capitol Hill. In addition, we advocated for more consistent incentives to allow businesses to plan accordingly. (More...) PV Production and Technology Hall at Intersolar North America Attendees have access to FREE technical presentations on the exhibit floor in North Hall. Topics include technology roadmaps and standards, module quality assurance, green manufacturing, thin film manufacturing and PV R&D developments. Logistically Speaking - The Role of PV Standards By Shamsiah Ali-Oettinger, pv magazine SEMI Taiwan PV Standards Committee Chair Ivan Chen-Hsiu Liu of ITRI talks about the new SEMI Standard PV23-1011 on packing and transport for PV modules. SEMI China PV Advisory Committee Proposes Modifications to China's Electricity Law By SEMI China PV Advisory Committee The SEMI China PV Advisory Committee proposed two policies and legislative proposals via relevant procedures to the National People's Congress concluded recently. Prospect of Secondary Equipment Market Offers Nightmare Scenario for PV Supply Chain By Finlay Colville, NPD Solarbuzz The considerable volume of production equipment delivered to PV manufacturers now exiting the industry may prolong downturn in new order intake. Japan: Power Shortages and FITs Clear Way for PV By Jonathan Gifford, pv magazine The last of Japan's 50 nuclear reactors was shutdown over the weekend, as the country heads into the electricity-hungry summer months. The State of the PV Manufacturing Equipment Segment - Rebound Remains a Challenge By Melody Song, SEMI Following a successful 2010, many PV equipment suppliers achieved another good year of revenue growth in 2011. Surviving as a Solar Manufacturer in Today's Market By Herman K. Trabish, Greentech Media Plunging panel prices, economic havoc and new technologies have solar manufacturing in turmoil. A panel of experts offered insiders' insights at the GTM Solar Summit last week. PV Standards Update By Kevin Nguyen, SEMI A snapshot of SEMI PV manufacturing standards development efforts in China, Europe, Taiwan, Japan and North America. Industry White Paper Advocates the Healthy Development of PV Industry in China By SEMI China 2012 China PV Industry Development Report released at SOLARCON China 2012. Solar Plus Storage: Gaining Steam on Both Supply and Demand By Matthew Feinstein, Lux Research Though previously a high-priced fantasy, storage packaged with solar on a distributed basis is gaining momentum.

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