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Global trade association SEMI has formed an photovoltaic solar advisory committee in India and has launched an international PV exposition--Solarcon India--to take place in Hyderabad, Nov. 9-11, 2009. The group's activities in the solar/PV arena will be under the aegis of the PV Group, a special interest group and global initiative of SEMI.

An India PV advisory committee has been established and is made up of executives from major solar-cell, module, equipment, and materials manufacturers to support regional PV Group initiatives as well as Solarcon India. 

Committee members are Gangadhara Rao, Velankani Renewable Energy, J. Gururaja, Renewable Energy Action Forum; Keshav Prasad, Signet Solar; Madhusudan V Atre, Applied Materials; S.S.N. Prasad, Solar Semiconductors; Dr. Rajeswaran, Moser Baer Photo Voltaic; Rabindra Satpathy, Reliance Industries (Solar Group); Rao Chodagam, Titan Energy Systems; Seshagiri Rao Meka, Oerlikon Solar India; and K. Subramanya, Tata BP Solar India. 

"I am pleased that SEMI has extended our global network of offices and services to now include India.  With the growing number of companies involved in all phases of photovoltaic production, there is an opportunity for SEMI to support the profitable development of the Indian PV industry through our established core services like market research and standards development," said Paul Davis, executive VP of SEMI. "We are also delighted that members of the India PV advisory committee bring extensive experience to guide our future activities in India."

"The decision to focus on solar/PV is timely and the SEMI PV Group initiative is synergistic with the growing solar/PV market opportunity in India," noted Sathya Prasad, president of SEMI India.  "We anticipate significant growth in the India PV market, as more than 15 companies have announced plans to set up fab operations in the region. In addition, proactive initiatives by the Indian government, such as the semiconductor incentive policy scheme, are expected to bring investments into the region that could equal as much as $10 billion by 2010."

"SEMI, with its extensive global resources, expertise and diverse membership is aptly positioned to play an important role in the region's growth and in particular the growth of solar/PV space in the coming years," added Prasad. "Solarcon India will be an absolutely essential event for suppliers in India and globally to stay abreast of the latest regional market and technology advancements."

Many experts think that India could become the fourth-largest generator of solar energy in the world over the next few years, according to SEMI. In 2009, about 130 MW of shipments are projected, compared with approximately 30 MW in 2008.

In addition, through a new Indian government incentive for solar power plants that debuted in January 2008, the market in the world's second-most populous country will likely experience rapid, sustained growth in the years to come.