Leading manufacturers collaborate to update International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics

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  The 6th PV Fab Managers Forum on March 25-27 in Berlin will present the third edition of the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics (ITRPV). Image: Scott-Maxwell-Fotolia

The 6th PV Fab Managers Forum on March 25-27 in Berlin will present the third edition of the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics (ITRPV). Solar industry decision-makers as well as scientists and experts from research institutes and universities will gather to hear from leading European, American and Asian manufacturers of silicon wafers, solar cells and modules, who will contribute to the latest roadmap updates.

The information garnered could prove advantageous for stakeholders – material suppliers to final customers. More than 20 participating companies will be setting aside their differences to make PV more competitive and ensure technological progress. They will discuss common manufacturing challenges and trends in business.

Markus Fischer, director of R&D processes at Q-Cells SE and one of the working group chairs for the ITRPV, explained the goals of the roadmap, "We want to establish photovoltaics as a competitive source for electric power generation. We will only succeed, however, if our manufacturing costs are competitive as well. Then everyone will benefit — after all, solar is an environmentally-friendly, sustainable unlimited energy source."

"While the roadmap is not binding for the companies involved — it is a recommendation backed by industry leaders with a common goal of advancing the industry. The industry's competitive advantage still thrives in this roadmapping environment. We define targets and milestones, but do not specify how a company can achieve these. We prefer to describe the requirements we need to achieve them. This means that participants can choose the best method for their company but we all have a common path," Fischer explained.

At the PV Fab Managers Forum, Fischer will present the current status of the PV roadmapping efforts, the most important and pressing topics in the PV industry and the results achieved so far.

The Forum will also cover these topics: PV Market and Manufacturing Technology Outlook, Cost Reduction Potential in Cell and Module Manufacturing, Efficiency Increase Potential in Cell and Module Manufacturing, PV Standardization Update and Overview, and Total Cost of Ownership Models.

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