PV FMF attendees lament lack of standards

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. “

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.”