PV FMF attendees lament lack of standards

March 10, 2009
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

The PV Group’s recent PV Fab Managers’ Forum in Dresden, Germany, was a successful event that saw attendance by over 200 leaders and technology experts in the PV industry. The overriding message was that the goal of grid parity would be greatly helped along by the implementation of standards – an ITRS of sorts for the PV industry.

“For the first time, Europe has a real chance to set standards in the Photovoltaic Industry,” commented Dr. Dietmar Roth, CEO of Roth & Rau AG. “To strengthen Europe’s number one position in the solar industry, it is important that innovations continue to come from here. This is how we can ensure the continued competitiveness of the companies in this sector. “

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The PV Group Fab Managers’ Forum saw the more than 200 attendees come together to discuss how PV cell and module manufacturers can better cooperate with their suppliers. Supply chain management and the implementation of standards across the PV supply chain were deemed crucial to the industry’s fast achievement of grid parity.

The PV Group has been working with Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) on campaigning for the introduction of standards in the solar industry.

“To ensure the solar industry’s survival, setting standards is crucial,” says Heinz Kundert, President of SEMI Europe. “But it is a difficult process, because it requires a major commitment from all involved, and because companies concerned often have different interests. We have long standing experience in moderating these processes, and have at our command the international network required to involve all parties world-wide. For this reason the PV Group is the ideal platform to enact standards in the photovoltaic sector. We aim to support companies in lowering costs so they can work economically in even the most difficult market environments until grid parity is achieved and new markets are opened.”

Read Next

November 21, 2025
BNZ has started commercial operations at a portfolio of solar PV projects in Spain with a combined capacity of 150MW.
November 21, 2025
Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) Australia has submitted an environmental referral for a 200MW solar PV project paired with a 550MW/2,200MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in New South Wales.
November 21, 2025
JUWI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MVV Energie AG, has completed the sale of a 156MW solar PV portfolio in Greece to Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers specialising in sustainable investing.
Premium
November 21, 2025
A modestly sized solar PV project in central Germany might have just ushered in a new era of renewables’ relationship with the grid.
November 21, 2025
CPS Energy has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to acquire 600MW of new solar capacity through power purchase agreements (PPA).
November 21, 2025
ib vogt has entered a strategic partnership with Ingka Investments for a 210MW solar project in Rajasthan, India.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Lisbon, Portugal
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA