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Southeast Asia

Simon T. Bircham, Product Manager, Cooper Bussmann Interview Inside

Volume 4 Number 1 January/February 2013

For Solar and PV Manufacturing Professionals

www.globalsolartechnology.com

Covering India, Thailand, Malaysia,Singapore, The Philippines and Hong Kong

SMART POWER MANAGEMENT DURING ISLANDING CONDITION

• SOLAR CELL THERAPY: TRANSFORMING SECOND-RATE GOODS INTO FIRST-CLASS PRODUCTS • 2013: OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW • FAST IN-LINE EVA CROSS-LINKING TEST

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Designed and Published by Trafalgar Publications, Bournemouth, United Kingdom

contentsEDITORIAL2 Pressing the reset button Trevor Galbraith

FEATURES6 Li-ion energy storage for distributed energy sources Michael Lippert, Energy and Storage Division, Saft

10 Smart power management during islanding condition Giridaran Srinivasan, RESolve Energy Consultants

20 Solar cell therapy: Transforming second-rate goods into first-class products Christine Himpel, Innotech Solar

SPECIAL FEATURES 22 In Haiti, solar is not only about saving money— it’s about saving lives28 Event Report—Solar Industry Summit Middle East 28 Event Report—Intersolar China Conference

COLUMNS30 2013: Out with the old, in with the new Jon Custer-Topai

OTHER REGULAR FEATURES4 Industry news24 Analyst Buzz30 New products for manufacturers32 New products for integrators25 Solar Developments 36 International diary

Visit www.globalsolartechnology.com for the latest news and more, every day.

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On the cover: Thanks to the fire protection laboratory of L.S. Fire Testing Institute Srl, one of the few laboratories in Italy authorized by the Italian Ministry of the Interior to carry out such testing and classifications, TÜV Rheinland is able to offer compulsory flammability testing for PV modules.

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EDITORIAL2. Solar demand in Asia set to soar in 2013

- Usha Prasad

FEATURES5. Smart power management during islanding

condition- Giridaran Srinivasan, RESolve Energy Consultants

10. Solar cell therapy: Transforming second-rate goods into first-class products

Christine Himpel, Innotech Solar

SPECIAL FEATURES14. Interview—Eaton’s Cooper Bussmann offers new

combiner box range designed specifically for the Indian market

8. MicroSun Solar expands portfolio of solar products

12. Fast in-line EVA cross-linking test (For LayTec attachment)

18. Event Report—Solar Industry Summit MiddleEast

18. Event Report—Intersolar China Conference

16. 6th Renewable Energy India 2012 Expo

COLUmn20. 2013: Out with the old, in with the new

– Jon Custer-Topai

OTHER REGULAR FEATURES3. Industry News

27. New Products for manufacturers

29. New Products for integrators & installers

32. International Diary

Volume 4, no. 1January/February 2013

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Global Solar Technology Southeast Asia – January/February 2013 – 1www.globalsolartechnology.com

Editorial OfficesEuropeTrafalgar Publications Ltd.Globals SMT & PackagingCrown House, 72 Hammersmith Rd,Hammersmith, London, W14 8THUnited KingdomTel: +44 (0) 207 559 1467Fax: +44 (0) 207 559 1468E-mail: [email protected]: www.globalsmt.net

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Editor-in-ChiefTrevor GalbraithTel: +44 7924 581 523 (Europe)Tel: +44 20 7792 0792 (UK)Tel: +1 (239) 245-9264 x101 (US)E-mail: [email protected]

Managing EditorTel: +1 (239) 245-9264 x108E-mail: [email protected]

Business Dev. / Marketing ManagerElisangela DahlkeTel: +1 239 245 9264 x110 (US)Cell: +1 239 287 5398 (US)Cell: +44 7924 554456 (UK)E-mail: [email protected]

BillingTel: +1 (239) 245-9264 x106E-mail: [email protected]

Web DeveloperTorrence GermanyTel: +1 (239) 245-9264 x105E-mail: [email protected]

AdvertisingEuropeAlex KlocksinCell: +49.1577.893.4884 (Ger.)[email protected]

North America—SalesSandy DaneauTel: +1 (239) 245-9264 [email protected]

Southeast Asia—IndiaAmitava [email protected]

Solar demand in Asia set to soar in 2013

Usha PrasadTechnical Editor

Hello friends, this is the first issue of GST SEA in 2013. Firstly, let me wish you all a very successful

and business-filled year ahead. Looking at the industry trend so far this year, the future looks sunny for the solar market in Asia.

Various research reports have indicated solar demand to skyrocket in 2013 in key Asian countries like Japan, China, India, Thailand etc. Increase in installations, capacity additions, government-backed subsidies and incentives promise a better future for the solar industry in the region.

A report from EnergyTrend, a research division of global market research firm TrendForce, states that Asia will be the spotlight of PV demand in 2013. Asia is expected to take over Europe as the demand driver for PV products in 2013, the report added. With the respective governments trying to create demand and boost investments in the sector, the PV market in Asia is expected to flourish in 2013.

The Q1’13 report of industry analyst NPD Solarbuzz states that 90 percent of solar demand this year is expected to come from market leaders such as from China, Australia, Japan and India. The report suggests that solar demand across the Asia Pacific region will increase by 13.5 GW in 2013, a 50 percent growth year-over-year.

According toa report from Research and Markets on “Indian Solar Energy Market Analysis”, the annual PV installed capacity is anticipated to reach 1,000 MW by 2016. As per the report findings, various state governments are focusing on solar power plants installation to increase the solar power-installed capacity in the country.

Meanwhile, in India, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released the draft document of Phase-II of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, which envisages installation of around 10 GW utility scale and 1 GW off-grid solar

power projects thus expecting to achieve grid parity before 2017.

One of the main objectives of the mission is to rapidly scale up deployment of solar projects across the country on the similar lines that Phase–I was built aiming to ramp up grid connected solar energy to 1100 MW by 2013 with participation of both Solar PV and Solar Thermal technology.

Let’s hope these growth indicators will propel the Asian solar industry to end 2013 on a high.

— Usha Prasad

2 – Global Solar Technology Southeast Asia – January/February 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com

Industry newsInspiraMartifer Solar signs contract for its first rooftop project in India

InspiraMartifer Solar, a subsidiary of Martifer Solar for the Indian market, has signed an EPC contract with Mapro Foods for the construction of a 350 kW rooftop project in India.

The photovoltaic system, to be installed on Mapro’s food processing factory, will be located in Wai, city of Mahabaleshwar. With a capacity to produce 580 MWh/year, the equivalent of the average consumption of 400 families, the installation will prevent the emission of more than 500 tons of CO2 per year into the atmosphere.

The system will be made up of 1210 modules installed on flat structures and its construction will be completed in February. InspiraMartifer Solar will be responsible for EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) and for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the project, which will involve a total of 50 workers during the construction phase.

Emmvee installs two BIPV systems at its manufacturing unit

Emmvee Photovoltaic Power Pvt Ltd has recently installed 300kWp photovoltaic systems at the new expansion of its photovoltaic and toughened glass manufacturing plants in Bengaluru in India.

The 259kWp roof top system was designed to be the actual roof top for the newly constructed storage area. The roof top was built with the PV modules and a well-designed metal structure to guarantee full insulation of the roof. This BIPV (Build Integrated Photovoltaic) system was installed with poly- and mono-crystalline modules to support further testing on both technologies on-site.

To demonstrate multiple integration of solar photovoltaic applications,Emmvee has designed a 39kWpPV system on its new façade at a tilt of 65 degree to horizontal facing south. The façade BIPV system has 169 modules of 230Wp. The PV panels are integrated aesthetically into the architecture of the building and give an appealing view from the International Airport Road, on the way to the Bengaluru Airport.

India to develop 54 solar cities

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in India has given in-Principle approval to develop 54 Solar Cities.

The draft Master Plans have been prepared for 28 cities, out of which eight Master Plans have been approved by his Ministry for implementation. “So far, Rs.19.23 crore has been sanctioned for preparation of Master Plans, Solar City Cells and promotional activities for 41 cities, out of which Rs. 4.22 crore has been released,” DR. Farooq Abdullah, minister for New and Renewable Energy said. Further, an amount of Rs.11.98 crore has been sanctioned for execution of renewable energy projects in five cities, out of which Rs.3.87 crore has been released for utilization by the concerned State Nodal Agencies/Municipal Corporations.

PR Fonroche commissions 5-MW solar plant in Rajasthan

PR Fonroche in collaboration with Mahindra EPC has commissioned a 5-MW solar photovoltaic project in Rajasthan, India.

PR Fonroche is a joint-venture between PR Clean Energy (India) and FonrocheEnergieS.a.S (France) while Mahindra EPC is part of the Mahindra Group. The plant, set up under the National Solar Mission, is located at Gajner Village in Bikaner.

This project is the first of two projects totalling 20 MW to be commissioned by PR Fonroche and executed in collaboration with Mahindra EPC. The 5-MW solar PV plant can supply more than nine million units of clean and green energy.

It is expected that the clean energy generated by the plant will displace nearly 7,200 MT of CO2 annually.

Equity Solar signs former GT Advanced Technology executive to oversee Asia sales

Equity Solar, Inc., a company specifically established to commercialize a leading-edge solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, has signed Lawson Huang, formerly of GT Advanced Technologies, to direct its sales efforts in Asia.

Equity Solar’s licensed technology has completed commercial validation and will begin commercial rollout in 2013. The technology increases the efficiency of crystalline PV cells through the use of a unique, patented room temperature silicon oxide growth process.

Equity Solar expects to sign its initial customer for beta trials in the first quarter of 2013 and to complete its first high-volume manufacturing demonstration by the end of the second quarter of 2013.

Solar Business Expo Southeast Asia launches in Bangkok in March with a programme of top industry speakers

Top solar energy experts, politicians, developers, contractors and financiers from across the ASEAN region will be gathering in Bangkok for a new international conference and exhibition “Solar Business Expo Southeast Asia”, which takes place on March 19 and 20 at the prestigious IMPACT Arena.

Across the whole ASEAN region, solar markets are forecast to grow by 50%-plus a year for the next five years.

Heading the conference programme will be Thailand’s Minister of Energy, HE PongsakRuktapongpisal who will talk about the government’s plans to develop solar energy and the country’s experiences to date.

The theme will be developed by Dr.DusitKruangam , chairman of the Thai Photovoltaic Industries Association, who will consider some of the key issues facing Thailand’s solar sector.

Aeon Renewable Energy to install 25MW solar power generation plant in Tamil Nadu, India

Aeon Renewable Energy Solution, a solar energy venture of Madurai Appu chain of restaurants, has announced its strategic plan for setting up 25MW solar power generation plant in Tamil Nadu. The company has roped in ‘Yingli Solar’, one of the world’s largest solar panel manufacturers with over 4.5GW of solar module installation around the globe as their technical partner. It is also entering


into a tie up with ‘Anna University’ as part of its industry - academia initiatives.

Announcing the entry into solar business, Aeon Renewable Energy aims to attain the leadership position in the domestic household market initially through roof top installations and then to set up its solar power plant in Tamil Nadu, with an investment of Rs. 250 crore in a phased manner.

The company will operate through a strong 150 distributor network across South India. The funds for the investment will be raised through promoters, investors and financial institutions.The company plans to recruit around 300 engineers to strengthen their installation and after sales service support.

Singapore International Energy Week 2013, 28 October to 1 November

The Singapore International Energy Week 2013 will be held from 28 October to 1 November 2013 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

The Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) is the foremost gathering of leading conferences, exhibitions and workshops held in Singapore and a platform for policymakers, business leaders and academics to exchange ideas, strategies and best practices that shape global industry energy agendas. Now in its sixth year, SIEW 2013 is a much-anticipated event in Asia’s energy calendar.

SIEW is organised by the Singapore Energy Market Authority (EMA), a statutory board under the aegis of the Ministry of Trade & Industry.

China Sunergy’s first shipment to Malaysia

China Sunergy Co., Ltd., a specialized solar cell and module manufacturer, has signed its first solar module contract with Pekat Solar SdnBhd, a leading local engineering, procurement and construction company in Malaysia, a subsidiary of PekatTeknologiSdn Bhd. The 343KW shipment is anticipated to be completed in February 2013.

PekatTeknologiSdnBhd is a solution provider specializing in the design, supply, distribution and installation of lightning protection, earthing system and surge protection technology. In 2006 PekatTeknologiSdnBhd expanded its horizons and venture into photovoltaic technology and energy LED lighting under the name Pekat Solar Sdn Bhd. The

solar modules sold to Pekat Solar SdnBhd by the company will be installed on the rooftop of a real estate property in Kuala Lumpur which was developed by a well-known Malaysian real estate developer.

Malaysia’s tropical location enables it to enjoy rich solar energy potential. According to the Solarbuzz research report, buoyed by the nation’s Renewable Energy Act 2011, Malaysia’s new FIT has generated considerable commercial interest and the country is poised to significantly increase its PV generation over the next few years. Malaysia has set a goal of achieving 10% renewable generation by 2020, with as much as 1GW coming from PV generation.

Smart Grid receives $434 million in VC funding, reports Mercom Capital Group

Mercom Capital Group, llc, a global clean energy communications and consulting firm, released its report on funding and mergers and acquisition (M&A) activity for the smart grid sector during 2012.

After a slow start, venture capital (VC) funding in the smart grid sector came in at $434 million in 40 deals, compared to $377 million in 50 deals in 2011.

There were a total of 66 investors that invested in 2012 compared to 92 investors in 2011. Only six of the 40 deals were early stage transactions compared to 16 in 2011. The average VC funding round in 2012 was $10.9 million compared to $7.5 million in 2011. The $136 million raise by Alarm.com skewed the average deal size upward in 2012.

Despite struggles, Home and Building Automation companies continued to raise majority of the funding ($198 million in nine deals); followed by Demand Response ($82 million in 10 deals), Grid Optimization ($76 million in nine deals) and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) companies ($63 million in eight deals).

The top VC deal in 2012 was the $136 million raised by Alarm.com from ABS Capital Partners, Equis Capital Partners, NJTC Venture Fund, and Technology Crossover Ventures; followed by $30 million raised by Silver Spring Networks, a smart meter networking company, from Hitachi; $25 million raised by Tendril, an energy management company, from VantagePoint, Good Energies, RRE Ventures, General Electric and Siemens; $23.3 million raised by GridPoint, an energy management company; and $16 million raised by demand response

company Comverge from Triangle Capital Corporation..

Conergy strengthens leading market position with an additional 31.5 MWp order

Conergy continues to strengthen its leading position in Thailand in 2013, heading into the new year with a major 31.5 megawatt order. It is already the second large-scale project for the Bangkok-based client and investor Siam Solar Energy 1 Co., Ltd. (SSE), a subsidiary of Thai Solar Energy Company Limited (TSE). In autumn 2012, Conergy started constructing two power plants for SSE with a total installed capacity of 21 megawatts. Both plants are scheduled to be connected to the grid in the first quarter of 2013. Three additional solar parks with an installed capacity of 10.5 megawatts each are now to follow. Hence, the two partners’ commitment towards each other allowed the three additional solar parks to be realized within a few months of the first two solar parks now under construction, for a total combined installed capacity of 52.5 megawatts.

The three new power plants are located in the provinces of Suphanburi and Kanchanaburi in western Thailand, some 80 miles from Bangkok. Once again, Conergy is acting as general contractor for this major order, assuming responsibility for the entire planning, engineering and design as well as for the supply of the components and the installation of the three large-scale solar plants, which will cover around 195 acres in total. For the construction work on the ground, Conergy is collaborating again with its long-standing local partners Annex Power and Ensys.


Industry news

Power cuts are very common in developing countries like India. It is quite natural that under such circumstances, a solar rooftop owner will try to consume all the power generated through solar and reduce his dependence on diesel as fuel. However, the problem begins when the grid tie inverter fails to start without the reference voltage and frequency parameters that are non-existent during power cuts. As a result, the rooftop owner cannot use the solar power generated. This is disappointing because they consider solar as a backup for power cuts and for payback through sale of excess power generated. The only existing solutions in the market today are off grid inverters that come with bulky battery banks, which are very expensive compared to direct grid connected inverters. Similarly, hybrid inverters are also expen-sive compared to grid tie inverters hence payback or ROI gets prolonged, making it a financially less- viable option.

What about installations with existing grid tie inverters? Most of the rooftop owners are not aware of these islanding conditions and most of the EPC vendors just install existing grid inverters without the alteration proposed below. Recently, MNRE has launched a pilot project scheme for large scale grid connected rooftop solar PV projects in six cities in India and SECI (Solar Energy Corporation of India) has

been allotted as the implementing agency. The published RFS (Request for Selection) document by SECI has also stressed on synchronization of grid tie inverters with diesel generator during power cuts: “In case of grid failure, or low or high voltage, solar PV system shall be out of synchronization and shall be disconnected from the grid. Once the DG set comes into service PV system shall again be synchronized with DG supply and load requirement would be met to the extent of availability of power.”

ProposalThe grid inverters are usually connected to a common distribution bus bar (India—3phase/1phase, 415V/230V). In this proposal all sources such as grid, diesel generators, battery backup inverters and solar grid inverters can be connected along with the load on a common bus bar. What usually happens during power failure is, the grid inverters trips sensing loss of refer-ence parameters and stops generation, now the DG sense this situation and switches ON to support the load automatically with help of AMF panels. Once the generator switches on, this creates a reference voltage and frequency on the common bus bar and this starts up the solar grid inverters (we actually deceive the GT inverters here).

Once the inverter is ON, the load will be supplied by both GT inverter and DG sets (at low RPM). Is it practically possible to synchronize a grid tie inverter with a

Smart power management during islanding condition

In a grid tie solar PV system, no energy is wasted, i.e. any excess electricity is given to the electri-cal grid. Grid tie solar systems are particularly worthwhile during periods where there is absence of load, that is weekends or holidays when your solar system continues to give out electrical power. Hence there is very good potential for grid tie inverters in India, but is Indian grid infrastructure, strong enough for these latest distribu-tion generation technologies? This article will speak more about the issues associated with the above concern and explain the meth-ods to overcome these conditions by integrating/synchronizing the grid connected inverter with diesel generator during a power cut/grid failure.

Giridaran Srinivasan, RESolve Energy Consultants, Chennai, India

Figure 1. Smart power management using PLC.



diesel generator (DG sets) and make it work? That is during a power failure or when grid power is not available?

Yes, it is possible. Following are the conditions at which it is possible:

• We have a stable/good quality generator which gives good steady voltage and frequency.

• The generator should not sag, dip or create any surge current when the inverter turns ON during the above mentioned condition.

Let us now consider that the inverter has turned ON using the DG sets reference voltage and frequency from the generator. There are two possible conditions now:

1. The load is always more than the PV generator supply

2. Load can be less than PV generator supply

During condition 1, no issues will occur, if everything works fine. But during the condition 2, the power generated from PV will be greater than the load require-ments and hence there is a possibility that this excess power will be fed back to the DG sets (stator of DG sets). What will happen under this situation? This condi-tion can damage the vital parts of the generator so the protection of generators becomes very critical and make it work as a motor (reducing its speed). We can

expect an increase in AC line voltage above critical level. If this happens, the condition can trip the inverter due to over-voltage/frequency protection circuits. Now the rooftop owner cannot consume power from the solar and therefore he is forced to operate the DG sets.

How to custom design a smart power management system to use the solar generator during the condition 2 and also protect the DG sets? We also foresee very high requirement for an effective control system, which can handle all the above conditions such as DG protection

• Using a dump load to remove the surplus power generated with help

Figure 2. Staten Solar installation—150 kWp.

Figure 3. SMA Sunny Island Inverters.




• of an effective control system. • Effective control of loads (To

increase or decrease the load as per requirements using PLC based controls)

• And also include a reverse power relay to protect the diesel genera-tors from back feeding/reverse currents.

A 150 kWp rooftop grid connected system with synchronization of Diesel generators and solar inverters has been designed and successfully commissioned by Staten Solar India Private Limited (a leading solar EPC company in India) at Guru Nanak Dev Charitable hospital building at Punjab. Mr.Rakesh Singh, Co-founder and Director of Staten Solar says that “The system will operate without any problem if the load is at least two times greater than the solar power generated during the power failure period”.

This solar installation was commis-sioned in less than a month and Staten Solar have used SMA string inverters which works upon synchronization either with the grid or DG set (3*750KVA). The generated electricity from the plant during the daytime can be consumed by the hospital load and there is no need for battery bank considering the huge loads. The grid and DG set are connected through auto-changeover panels (AMF Panel) and the diesel generators start automatically during power cuts (Check SLD—Figure 4).

economicThere is less commercial benefit in running a generator just for reference voltage and current for the entire daytime. But this can be economical for the above discussed condition i.e. just during the power cut period. The DG sets running at lower effi-ciency (20-30%) or less than its rated value can consume more fuel than during rated power (i.e. 85-100% efficiency), so oper-ating it during the entire day just for refer-ence parameters or in parts where there is no grid power (remote locations or forest regions) is not economical.

In such remote regions where there is no grid connection or very less grid power, off grid solar PV/wind systems with battery backup will be the best option, and even along with DG sets when the loads are huge. In regions of frequent power cuts, there is also an option of using a smaller DG set, to synchronize with the solar GT inverters just for the emergency load rather than the required full load size. But the disadvantage here is during power failure in the evenings or during the night, the load will be much higher than the gener-ator system. So care must be taken care during system sizing, and we must make sure that the size of the generator is suffi-cient enough to supply required amount of energy during emergency or power cuts.

Developed counties like Germany and the USA have good potential for backup

power models such as SMA island inverters. These Island inverters can be connected to the common busbar during power outage with help of backup batteries. These backup batteries will be charged during excess power generation from solar system. This will also generate the necessary reference voltage and frequency for the GT inverters during power cuts. Unfortunately, this is an additional expense and a huge invest-ment on batteries. This additional cost on batteries and their maintenance, and also considering higher interest rates from local banks makes it unviable for developing countries like India and directly affects the payback. So existing /medium sized diesel generators will be the best option for rooftop owners and also more economical when compared to these island inverters.

conclusionWhile considering a GT inverter the load pattern (early morning and evening peaks), grid availability (GT inverters can be tricky at times of frequent power failures), grid quality, feed in tariff (if available) have all to be reckoned and coordinated with. However, the challenge lies in designing an efficient power management control system for smart and economical power consumption.

SECI document: http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/adver-tisement/adv_rfs_rooftop_pv_seci_jan2013.pdfFigure 3 credit: SMA

Punjab hospital building—SLD (Staten Solar India).



Bangalore-based MicroSun Solar Tech Pvt. Ltd. was established in September 2007, with a humble

beginning in manufacturing of solar photovoltaic modules in an 8MW capacity plant with products ranging from 3Wp to 270Wp Mono & Poly Crystalline solar photovoltaic modules. Subsequently, MicroSun Solar Tech got its products tested at CPRI/ERTL/ETDC for their modules and products. For its quality and after sales service, the company was accredited with ISO 9001:2008 certification from TUV. With the available resources, MicroSun Solar Tech increased its state-of-the-art manufacturing capacity area of 25000 Sq ft. from 8MW to 50MW.

A. C. Eswar, chief executive officer, MicroSun Solar Tech Pvt.Ltd. shares more information on the company and the products it manufactures.

MicroSun Solar Tech offers a wide range of prime quality solar photovoltaic modules from three Watt Peak to 270 Watt. “We use prime quality Solar Cells, IEC Certified PV back Sheet & textured fast cured EVA, textured toughened glass, rigid anodized aluminium frame, high quality junction Box and edge tape (instead of Silicon sealant). Framing is done by press key method to give better aesthetic and use of screw is eliminated in the module assembly process and yields maximum energy throughout with durable quality,” he explained.

“Our street lighting system is an ideal lighting system for illuminating streets, squares, gardens and cross roads located in areas that are not connected to the power grid or where the grid is not available. The fully integrated system combines the latest and most innovative technologies available, providing years

of convenient and trouble-free lighting. Fully assembled and factory tested kits are available,” he added.

“Our range of modules are tested and approved by TUV Rheinland. Our solar lighting products have DGS&D rate contract. MicroSun Solar Tech has been awarded SP2B from CRISIL as per the National solar Mission,” said Eswar.

MicroSun Solar has a wide range of solar streetlights, for different lighting applications.

Features :• Automatic dusk to dawn controller

(DTDC) / Timer operation• Highly efficient charge controller and

inverter• Two step charging algorithm• Temperature compensated battery set

points• Weather-proof luminaries• Adequate protections and indications• Anodized aluminium reflector• PC/Anti corrosive galvanized Poles

and mounting accessories• ABS battery box

Solar Home SystemThe Solar Home System offered by

MicroSun Solar has high performance, is cost effective, reliable, long lasting, complete and easy to install. Incorporating years of experience and with the latest solar technology, it harnesses the power of sun to provide reliable, cost-effective electricity wherever it is needed. These systems supply electricity for lighting, entertainment and information to homes that are not connected to grids or erratic grids. The Solar Home System is an excellent solutionfor household level electrification in rural and urban areas.

MicroSun Solar expands its portfolio of solar products

Solar lighting systems1. Non-polluting, inexhaustible energy

from the Sun2. Omni-directional pure white light3. Safe and easy to operate4. Excellent protections and

indications5. Approved as per MNRE

specifications6. Rugged and attractive body made of

ABS plastic7. UV stabilized acrylic light diffuser8. Micro-controller based electronic

circuit9. Mobile charging options.10. Backups.

MicroSun AC Solar Power Pack System consists of a solar module, which converts the sunlight into electricity and a low maintenance, lead acid tubular or VRLA battery for storing electricity. The charging of the battery is done through a highly sophisticated and efficient solar charge controller, which is in-built to the inverter.

AC appliances within the rated power of inverter can be connected to the outlet of the inverter (230V, 50Hz). The inverter uses the most advanced technology and provides a clean sine wave output.

“Solar Power Systems can be employed for any application where the power requirement is clean, reliable and uninterrupted. Solar Power Systems are convenient and safe compared to diesel generators due to its outstanding advantages such as Silent and automatic operation and low maintenance.

A C Eswar,CEO, MicroSun Solar Tech Pvt. Ltd.


“MicroSun Solar’s main customers are spread across India including corporates, OEM clients, state and central government, defence, educational institutions, hospitals, hotels and many more,” Eswar explained.

On the challenges the company faced in this market, he said, “Demand for power has been doubling every year. In addition to conventional power sources, UPS and renewable energy, government bodies, corporates, NGOs and domestic consumers are looking for new technologies for power generation and power saving products. The products that are available in the market are not up to the mark and have a lot of after sales service problems.Gradually, large-scale PV product adoption will lower the dependency of highly volatile oil, gas and coal. Customers find PV products prohibitively priced despite declining PV module prices. Yet, people buy the same due to precarious condition of conventional power supply.The market choice is very critical because solar projects are having wafer thin margin. Reduction in modules prices, invasion of spurious products and too much competition in the Indian market with imported modules are the main challenges.”

Market for PV modules in the present situation

“In the present situation, marketing of solar products in India is becoming an uphill task due to a lot of price fluctuation of solar photovoltaic modules and products in addition to immense competition from imported modules, Eswar said. “During the first quarter, it is very difficult to predict the market. It may stabilise and get stronger from the second quarter onwards. With immense support from the MNRE sponsored JNNSM program, and a lot of state governments’ procurements and the customer awareness on the solar products, the marketis expanding every day and for every application of power.”

MicroSun Solar saw a good business in 2012, closing at Rs.252 million. This year, the company is planning to achieve Rs.500 million with its 20MW per annum module manufacturing capacity. It has orders to the tune of Rs.12 millionin the pipe line and is also at expanding its module manufacturing facility to 50 MW per annum from 20MW per annum.

The company has plans to launch energy- efficient LED lamps, smart grid inverters, high-efficiency charge regulators and other solar related products like solar tracking equipment, transformers, control panels with SCADA systems along with solar power pack for existing AC pumping systems from 5HP to 15HP in the near future.

www.globalsolartechnology.com

“Optimizing solar cells requires signifi-cantly less energy than melting them down and recycling them. Putting 100 percent of the solar cells produced worldwide into actual use would make the manu-facturing process both more economical and more environmentally sound,” states Dr. Thomas Hillig VP Module Sales & Marketing. Manufacturers reject cells on the basis of visual flaws such as marks, a lower electrical output or simply as a result of technically imprecise perfor-mance measurements. It took two years for Innotech Solar to develop a process for treating under-performing cells. The defec-tive areas are identified using an infrared camera, before being automatically isolated using a special laser. The result: the cells are returned to their full capacity. The isolated area is so small that a difference in output in comparison to conventional cells is no longer discernible following the treatment.

“This may sound easy. But the challenge is that the process must be easily adaptable to different cell materials and thicknesses,” explains Hillig. However, Innotech Solar is not just limiting its optimization process to correcting minor cell defects: “We are also able to isolate larger impure zones: a laser separates unusable areas of the cell, leaving us with a half or third of a cell, which are then integrated into modules for off-grid power supplies.“

Quality certified by test institutesTo prove just how effective the processed cells really are, Innotech Solar has sent them for analysis to independent test insti-tutes such as TÜV, Fraunhofer Institute and Max Planck Institute, who have certi-fied the quality of the ITS modules. Experts at the Photovoltaik-Institut Berlin have tested the modules according to IEC 61730 and IEC 61215 standards, and have been unable to find any differences between ITS modules and modules with conventional cells produced by other manufacturers.

“Innotech Solar is one of the few manu-facturers known to us who carry out tests

Solar cell therapy: Transforming second-rate goods into first-class products

Measurement of electrical data.

The photovoltaic industry has reached a new record: while 2010 saw the worldwide manufacture of solar cells with a total output of more than 27 gigawatts, production in 2011 reached over 50 gigawatts. Unfortunately, between around three and five percent of these cells are immediately rejected after manufacture because they do not pass the visual checks or do not work to their full capacity. Had they been in perfect condi-tion, these cells would have been able to provide electricity to more than 500,000 households. Norwegian company Innotech Solar (ITS) has developed a groundbreaking process to return rejected solar cells to their full performance capacity, ensuring that even imperfect cells can be used in photovoltaic modules to produce electricity. In addition to undergo-ing the most stringent of tests the industry has to offer and having a very high power output, these modules are reasonably priced, thanks to the fact that the solar cells do not need to be manufactured from new.

Christine Himpel, Innotech Solar, München, Germany


such as the hot-spot risk test,” explained an expert from the Photovoltaik-Institut. ITS modules show a significantly reduced risk of hot spots - these are defective areas on the cell’s surface which can lead to over-heating, damage to the module and, in rare cases, fire.

Independent test institute SGS Germany GmbH subjected the modules to an additional durability test by carrying out salt mist testing to determine the effects that long-term exposure to sea air has on the modules. Ammonia resistance testing, also performed by the institute, simulated conditions representing a minimum of 20 years’ use installed on livestock buildings. Neither of the tests found any impairment in the mechanical or electrical quality of the modules, even once stringent test cycles had been completed. The test results confirm that the modules are excellently suited to coastal and agricultural use.

In line with other suppliers, Innotech Solar provides its modules with a ten-year warranty on an output of 90 percent and a 25-year warranty on an output of 80 percent. The product warranty for standard modules lasts for twelve years.

customers invest in green returnsInnotech Solar is in a position to offer its modules at an excellent price-performance

ratio: The Norwegian company purchases off-spec cells for a favorable price and, at the same time, producing modules with optimized cells requires around 90 percent less energy than needed to produce standard crystalline modules.

Over the past three years, ITS modules have been used in solar projects in 17 countries. More often than not, these projects have multiple megawatt outputs.

In addition to the reasonable price, the low carbon footprint plays an important role for customers. Green City Energy is a company that puts a lot of value on sustain-ability when selecting its suppliers: “Our more than 2,800 investors do not only wish to see a favorable and stable return; they also want to use their investment to make

Inspection of frontside.

Inspection of backside of the cell.

Continued on page 23


“Optimizing solar cells requires signifi-cantly less energy than melting them down and recycling them. Putting 100 percent of the solar cells produced worldwide into actual use would make the manu-facturing process both more economical and more environmentally sound,” states Dr. Thomas Hillig VP Module Sales & Marketing. Manufacturers reject cells on the basis of visual flaws such as marks, a lower electrical output or simply as a result of technically imprecise perfor-mance measurements. It took two years for Innotech Solar to develop a process for treating under-performing cells. The defec-tive areas are identified using an infrared camera, before being automatically isolated using a special laser. The result: the cells are returned to their full capacity. The isolated area is so small that a difference in output in comparison to conventional cells is no longer discernible following the treatment.

“This may sound easy. But the challenge is that the process must be easily adaptable to different cell materials and thicknesses,” explains Hillig. However, Innotech Solar is not just limiting its optimization process to correcting minor cell defects: “We are also able to isolate larger impure zones: a laser separates unusable areas of the cell, leaving us with a half or third of a cell, which are then integrated into modules for off-grid power supplies.“

Quality certified by test institutesTo prove just how effective the processed cells really are, Innotech Solar has sent them for analysis to independent test insti-tutes such as TÜV, Fraunhofer Institute and Max Planck Institute, who have certi-fied the quality of the ITS modules. Experts at the Photovoltaik-Institut Berlin have tested the modules according to IEC 61730 and IEC 61215 standards, and have been unable to find any differences between ITS modules and modules with conventional cells produced by other manufacturers.

“Innotech Solar is one of the few manu-facturers known to us who carry out tests


Measurement of electrical data.

The photovoltaic industry has reached a new record: while 2010 saw the worldwide manufacture of solar cells with a total output of more than 27 gigawatts, production in 2011 reached over 50 gigawatts. Unfortunately, between around three and five percent of these cells are immediately rejected after manufacture because they do not pass the visual checks or do not work to their full capacity. Had they been in perfect condi-tion, these cells would have been able to provide electricity to more than 500,000 households. Norwegian company Innotech Solar (ITS) has developed a groundbreaking process to return rejected solar cells to their full performance capacity, ensuring that even imperfect cells can be used in photovoltaic modules to produce electricity. In addition to undergo-ing the most stringent of tests the industry has to offer and having a very high power output, these modules are reasonably priced, thanks to the fact that the solar cells do not need to be manufactured from new.

Christine Himpel, Innotech Solar, München, Germany


such as the hot-spot risk test,” explained an expert from the Photovoltaik-Institut. ITS modules show a significantly reduced risk of hot spots - these are defective areas on the cell’s surface which can lead to over-heating, damage to the module and, in rare cases, fire.

Independent test institute SGS Germany GmbH subjected the modules to an additional durability test by carrying out salt mist testing to determine the effects that long-term exposure to sea air has on the modules. Ammonia resistance testing, also performed by the institute, simulated conditions representing a minimum of 20 years’ use installed on livestock buildings. Neither of the tests found any impairment in the mechanical or electrical quality of the modules, even once stringent test cycles had been completed. The test results confirm that the modules are excellently suited to coastal and agricultural use.

In line with other suppliers, Innotech Solar provides its modules with a ten-year warranty on an output of 90 percent and a 25-year warranty on an output of 80 percent. The product warranty for standard modules lasts for twelve years.

customers invest in green returnsInnotech Solar is in a position to offer its modules at an excellent price-performance

ratio: The Norwegian company purchases off-spec cells for a favorable price and, at the same time, producing modules with optimized cells requires around 90 percent less energy than needed to produce standard crystalline modules.

Over the past three years, ITS modules have been used in solar projects in 17 countries. More often than not, these projects have multiple megawatt outputs.

In addition to the reasonable price, the low carbon footprint plays an important role for customers. Green City Energy is a company that puts a lot of value on sustain-ability when selecting its suppliers: “Our more than 2,800 investors do not only wish to see a favorable and stable return; they also want to use their investment to make

Inspection of frontside.

Inspection of backside of the cell.

Continued on page 23Continued on page. 13


Fig. 1: LayTec X Link system

Fast in-line EVA cross-linking test

The quality of the cross-linking of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) encapsulants is crucial for the market success of solar modules. Premium suppliers need their products to be ahead of competition not only by cost-effectiveness and by the efficiency of their modules. It is also the long-term stability of the modules that is receiving much attention by customers since it is affecting the sustained profitability of solar installations. PES investigates…

The lamination process is key to the long-term stability and therefore the most critical production step of module manufacturing. Currently, a major issue why modules fail in the field is insufficient EVA cross-linking caused by difficulties during the vacuum lamination process itself or by unstable EVA foil feedstock.

Only high quality EVA encapsulation guaranties sustainable protection of the solar cells against the environment e.g., moisture and mechanical stress.

The most common setup of state-of-the-art solar modules is a laminated stack of glass/ EVA/solar-cells/EVA/backsheet. The degree of cross-linking between polymer chains in laminated EVA is a decisive parameter governing the long-time stability of a solar module. Poor control over the EVA cross-linking has detrimental economic consequences not only for the investor but also for the producer, since the lamination process is one of the last steps of the value chain.

Despite of this key importance of encapsulation, the methods of testing EVA cross-linking that are available today (e.g. gel content test), have significant weaknesses and drawbacks. Common tests take a couple of hours, are performed manually and they involve the destruction of the laminate. Hence, only small sample fractions are being tested, the procedures are time-consuming and leave large room for uncertainties.

Therefore LayTec and Fraunhofer USA joined forces and successfully developed a novel method to measure the degree of EVA cross-linking within only a few seconds.

This fast and non-destructive method is now commercially available and enables module manufacturers to evaluate the degree of cross-linking of each produced module. The measurement takes just five seconds per measuring point and can be performed directly in-line and automated. The method achieves and even exceeds the accuracy of gel content tests.

Hence, quality assurance and homogeneity analysis with 100 per cent coverage of each module are available. Manufacturers can proof a complete track record of modules produced to customers and certifiers.

Due to the temperature requirements (module temperature ≥ 80°C), the system is ideally employed in-line, right after the laminator. During first deployments of the metrology system in industrial production lines, multi-point measurements were carried out. In some cases, a considerable spatial inhomogeneity of the degree of cross-linking was revealed over single laminates.

The LayTec X Link system ensures a perfect control over the lamination process, which is key to high-quality modules, as cross- linking quality and

uniformity are essential in terms of quality over time.

The metrology system integrates seamlessly into production lines. It can be controlled completely by the process equipment. The machine interfaces are highly customisable and cover simple data exchange via wires, field buses and software protocols like SECS/GEM and TCP/IP. Monitoring data can be fed directly into the MES and SPC software systems.

On the other hand, the system can be utilised stand-alone controlled by the LayTec Insight software with its own visualising, storing and routing of measured data to the fab control systems in real-time.

In summary the LayTec X Link system provides the following metrological, technological and economic advantages over current common tests: • In-line applicability – 100 per cent

coverage of production • Automated monitoring • Short measuring time (< 10 s per

point) • High accuracy • Non-destructive and therefore

repeatable method • No use of hazardous chemicals • Optimised production cycle time

(mean time between cleans) • Fast and controlled ramp-up • Improved yield • Improved material use • Fast return of investment (within first

year) • Improved bankability of PV projects


t

limit of g.c. ex- cluded from t

Fast in-line EVA cross-linking test

LayTec, founded in 1999, is world market leader of in-situ metrology for LED and LASER production systems. LayTec offers optical and electrical in-situ & in-line metrology solutions for thin film applications.

Founded as a spin-off of the Technical University Berlin, LayTec quickly became the leading supplier of compound semiconductor process monitoring instrumentation, especially for LED production. Its in-situ metrology is used in industry and R&D institutes world-wide for optimising compound semiconductor material quality and obtaining run-to-run reproducibility in epitaxy-based opto-electronic and electronic applications. During MOVCD and MBE the LayTec metrology gives direct access to all key epitaxial growth properties with extreme precision. Thereby LayTec’s metrology became a key enabling factor for new technologies and devices, specifically in the ongoing Solid-State-Lighting revolution.

Since 2008, LayTec makes its proven expertise also available to the

PV industry. The advanced in-line metrology is designed and optimised for large-area deposition techniques such as amorphous, polycrystalline and organic thin-films.

Currently, the company has 100 employees and worldwide more than 1500 metrology systems installed, 60 per cent at Asian, 15 per cent at North American and 25 per cent at European customer sites. LayTec offers a worldwide customer support and service network including local representations.

In 2009, 2010 and 2011 LayTec was rated among the 50 fastest growing technology companies in Germany.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: BERGEN ASSOCIATES Pvt. Ltd. 305-306, MAGNUM HOUSE 1, COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, KARAMPURA, NEW DELHI – 110015 Ph: +91-11-25920283 – 86 Fax: +91-11-25920289 Email: [email protected]

Figure 2 above illustrates the clear correlation between the LayTec cross-linking metric (LXM) and the gel content (g.c.) test. Both values were determined for five modules prepared under varying lamination conditions. Measurements were carried out at five different locations of each module. First, the LXM was determined non-destructively using the LayTec X Link system. Afterwards, EVA samples were extracted from the same locations for the g.c. test using Soxhlet extraction. The error bars demonstrate that the LXM bears a better accuracy than the g.c. test, in particular for g.c. < 85 per cent. Here lies a huge potential for process optimisation. It needs to be noted, that the classical g.c. test loses sensitivity for highly cross-linked material. This is why the measurements on the best laminated module were neglected for the fit. The fit is based on the physical connection between the applied methods. The distinct correlation presented in the figure above demonstrates that the LayTec X Link system can readily replace time-consuming and unreliable wet-chemical g.c. tests. Data courtesy of Q-Cells SE.

Solar cell therapy: Transforming second-rate goods into first-class products— Continued from p. 11

an active contribution towards protecting the environment. Therefore ITS modules suit our company’s ideals perfectly,” claims Thomas Prudlo, Chief Executive of Green City Energy AG in Munich.

Manufacturers profit from areliable distribution channelWhy do manufacturers sell their rejects to Innotech Solar? The low quantity of rejects means that processing the cells themselves is, in most cases, simply not worth their while. Selling their cells to Innotech Solar, however, provides them with a reliable distribution channel with guaranteed prices. Innotech Solar only buys cells from leading manufacturers and resells the modules under its own brand.

About Innotech SolarInnotech Solar currently has a cell production capacity of more than 160 megawatts. The company’s original production line is in Narvik, Norway, where the paren company’s headquarters are located. Since June 2011, they have also been optimizing cells in a new factory in Halle an der Saale, Germany. The company produces a large proportion of its modules in a former REC solar factory in Glava, Sweden. With its fully automated production lines, it is one of Europe’s most modern production plants. The various module series are sold via subsidiaries in Munich, California and Shanghai.


In this issue, we bring to you Eaton’s Cooper Bussmann business in India and talk in detail about the various

products the company has released into the market and the new ones it is manufacturing.

In order to demonstrate the full functionality of its combiner box range to visitors, the company decided to have a live demonstration running during the Intersolar India show. This enabled people to see the monitoring, switching and protection functions working as if it were a proper PV installation.

Running over the Eaton’s Cooper Bussmann industrial wireless, visitors could see real-time Modbus data on a large monitor displaying the current input from the strings, the state of the surge protection devices and the overall health of the system. “We simulated a number of typical fault scenarios to demonstrate the product’s ability to notify the operator of system failures, while also highlighting the ease and flexibility with which the combiner box can be operated and maintained,” says Simon T Bircham, product manager, Cooper Bussmann in an exclusive interview with Global Solar Technology, Southeast Asia.

Excerpts:

Tell us about Eaton’s Cooper Bussmann business in India?

In India we have sought to position ourselves successfully as the leading provider of fuse and technology solutions to a broad range of industries. We have invested in our facility in Pondicherry

for the long term so that it will be able to meet the demand from customers in a timely and effective manner. Our product range will continue to develop to reflect advances in markets like the renewables sector, where the drive towards 1500Vdc systems will continue as increased efficiencies are sought.

At the manufacturing facility in Pondicherry, we produce a number of products for industrial applications, power distribution and for the photovoltaics (PV) and wind market. These include low voltage industrial, power semiconductor and medium voltage fuses for industrial applications, the NH690V fuse range, typically used in wind power, and a comprehensive suite of fuses for the PV market up to 1500Vdc.

Following its participation in the Intersolar India show in November 2012, the facility is also manufacturing its new range of combiner boxes for the PV market, which were launched at the show.

Products like the combiner box mean that we are now actively engaging with a number of EPCs to explore how we can best meet their requirements and in the long term play a part in helping to build India’s much needed energy infrastructure.

Traditionally, we have served the industrial market. For instance, in manufacturing plants, where our high-speed fuses might protect the machines and equipment and our BS 88 range might protect the electrical systems within that plant. We are also helping some of the private distribution companies protect their systems more effectively. However, the growth of PV and wind energy means we are increasingly doing business with companies in those sectors as well.

Interestingly enough we are doing a lot of manufacturing for export as well.

Explain in detail about your protection systems specifically developed for PV systems. How is the market for these products in India?

We have developed a comprehensive range of products to fulfil the needs of the PV market. These include PV fuses up to 1500Vdc. With the highest ratings ever achieved by a fuse manufacturer, the line represents a breakthrough in fuse performance that permits OEMs to design more efficient solar power systems that use smaller conductors, components and therefore reduce costs.

With UL, IEC and CCC approvals, the entire line permits designers to create systems that are globally accepted. PV system manufacturers can select from sizes ranging from a 10x38mm ferrule fuse to four NH XL sizes, ranging from 1 to 400 amps.

Designed specifically to protect and isolate PV array combiners and disconnects, these high performance fuses are capable of interrupting low over currents associated with faulted PV systems, such as reverse current and multi-array faults. The XL size PV fuses with their compact dimensions and options for blade or bolt mounting provide simple cost effective project design and installation. The14x65mm size comes with ferrules, bolt tags or 10mm fixings to accommodate multiple mounting designs.

There is also our compact modular fuse holder for PV applications. Designed

Eaton’s Cooper Bussmann offers new combiner box range designed specifically for the Indian market- Usha Prasad


to accept our 10x38mm range of 1-20 Amp PV fuse links, the fuse holder offers a number of benefits including space saving, speed of installation and global acceptance.

The unique nature of PV installations makes them vulnerable to overvoltage and surges from lightning strikes and static

discharges. Eaton’s Cooper Bussmann has a range surge protection devices designed specifically for PV application, with Class I for protection against direct lightning strikes and Class II for indirect lightning strikes. The Class II also benefits from fast acting Short Circuit Interrupting (SCI) technology which adds an additional level of protection in the event of a voltage surge.

The India PV market is an exciting, developing market, which we are ideally positioned to support with the industry’s leading PV range of circuit protection and combiner box solutions.

Could you elaborate on your solar combiner box offerings?

Our philosophy for the combiner box was that far from it being a ‘dumb’ component, the combiner box can add appreciable value to the Balance of System hierarchy. If system productivity is to be maximised and efficiencies maintained then the combiner box needs to fulfil three important roles: protection from overcurrent and overvoltage events; switching so that parts of the subsystem can be safely isolated in the event of a malfunction or for maintenance; and monitoring the condition of the system.

To that end we began a rethink for the design, manufacture and supply of the

product for the Indian market. We started by listening to what local companies wanted and the view expressed was that they didn’t want just another commodity product shipped from Europe that somehow could be reconfigured for the market.

So first and foremost it is worth saying that the new combiner box range has been designed specifically for the Indian market. Mindful of the harsh environments of typical solar installations, the combiner box range features superior thermal characteristics eliminating the need for forced ventilation in extreme ambient temperatures.

It is completely customisable from 3 to 24 strings offering genuine PV circuit protection with our industry leading gPV fuses in ratings from 1A to 32A up to 1000Vdc, PV over voltage surge protection and true PV DC rated disconnect switches.

PV system performance and combiner box status can be remotely checked with a choice of monitoring solutions including wireless communications and a range of power supply options.

It’s been engineered to make installation and operation safe and easy; each combiner box is fully IEC compliant with options for MC4 connectors, features an interlock handle, and all monitored units incorporate an external Modbus connector for quick diagnostics. All this is wrapped up in durable IP65 rated enclosures as standard.

With a global manufacturing base and an integrated common system approach Eaton’s Cooper Bussmann can locally develop and manufacture customised combiner boxes within competitive timeframes while maintaining exceptional levels of quality.

You are ahead of the market in increasing the system voltage from 1000 to 1500VDC. Could you share details on this?

The driver towards 1500Vdc is that system losses are reduced. At higher voltages, the main improvement is in the efficiency of the inverters, plus losses in cables become proportionally less. Whilst the efficiencies are currently over 95%, improvements of maybe less than 1% of, say, 5MW is a lot of extra power available

and a lot less (waste) heat to be removed from the equipment. So by having a fuse that can operate at 1500Vdc, it confers major advantages for the overall system.

With the solar industry being flat in almost all major markets, what will be the scene in 2013 for the PV industry?

This is a tough question and indeed it’s hard to predict exactly what will happen. However, we do believe that there will be a lot of focus on system efficiencies, the use of monitoring solutions to ensure optimum system performance with the ability to report any deviations in power production. In essence it’s all about ensuring optimum payback of the investment.

System productivity is much more than the sum of its constituent parts. It is as much about how those parts interact to achieve sustainable, efficient and reliable power production. As systems increase in size and complexity, this interaction becomes even more critical. Hence it’s important to get the Balance of System(BoS) components right first time; the industry can’t afford to have costly mistakes from poor performing unreliable product and this is where we feel we have a clear advantage.

Are you planning to launch new products in the near future?

As it stands, we have a pretty comprehensive range of products for the PV market. So, the emphasis really is on looking at where we can make improvements to existing products such as extending ratings for certain applications.

Eaton’s Cooper Bussmann offers new combiner box range designed specifically for the Indian market


6th Renewable Energy India 2012 Expo: sets high standards as Asia’s top RE show

Organised by UBM India, the 6th Renewable Energy India 2012 Expo was the epicenter

for deliberations on the potential of renewables in India. Held during 7-9 November, 2012 at the international standard venue facility of the India Expo Center, Greater Noida (National Capital Region of Delhi), the event culminated with a call to the industry to step up innovations and leverage the multiple investment opportunities being created by the government. The expo played an important catalyst role in creating a common business forum for global and local stakeholders. Evolving the format of the expo with the changing dynamics of the industry, a diverse approach was adopted to promote financing required by the RE sector in India. A three- day concurrent conference having 36 interactive sessions and 172 high profile speakers was the hub for knowledge exchange that widened the market insights of the attending delegates. Besides pre-arranging several

business meetings, business interaction and meetings between project developers and funding communities were further facilitated through the “Investor Lounge” concept.

The vibrant expo forum attracted key stakeholders and leading industry stalwarts to network and tap new markets. 475 domestic and international exhibitors from 25 countries and 10,169 trade professionals comprising of 6,056 qualified buyers participated at the expo despite the challenges faced by the industry.

Commenting on his participation, Dr. Charlie Gay, president, Applied Solar, Applied Materials, Inc. said, “We are delighted to be associated with the 6thRenewable Energy India (REI) 2012 Expo. REI is a timely and meaningful forum providing an opportunity for key renewable energy stakeholders to business success experiences which enable accelerated adoption of clean technologies on a global scale. I feel that the Government of India continues to set

forth thoughtful policy that can maximize energy self-reliance across the country and around the world.”

Funding was identified as the biggest bottle-neck for the domestic solar industry, as foreign investments are, many a times, subject to condition of importing equipments from respective countries. Amongst the various key events held, the ‘CFO Conclave’ set the stage on the opening day with a discussion on defining the way forward towards adding 30,000MW in 13th five year plan (FY 2012-17). The panel explored various elements of policy, financing and power markets for the target to be achieved.Emphasis was placed on the clarity of goals set by the government and enforceability of policy measures such as Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPOs) to promote the solar energy sector in India.

Supporting the initiative, Deepak Gupta, chairman – CREWA and Former Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India


during the inauguration said, “These are indeed exciting times for players in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors in the Asia-Pacific. We are at a point in which the political will to secure sustainable energy supplies and reduce energy-related carbon emissions has never been greater. Governments in the region are setting the agenda and direction for businesses to follow, creating a multitude of opportunities for energy organizations. 6 th Renewable Energy Expo has been strategically positioned as a key platform to power the growth in these sectors,” Considering collaboration with India, Dr. Mari PantsarKallio, director of Finnish Cleantech Strategy Council, Ministry of Employment & Economy, Government of Finland remarked during the inauguration that the Government of Finland is targeting to position itself as first country in Europe to get rid of coal-based energy by 2025.

Similarly, Dr. Vicky J Sharpe, President & CEO - Sustainable Development Technology Canada, Government of Canada highlighted the opportunities that could emanate through combined synergies between the two nations. While delivering the special address, she remarked that Canada is well poised for innovations in cleantech with sevenpercent of its GDP linked to energy and 60 percent of its investments directed towards energy exploration.

The Industry White Paper – "Harnessing the Potential: the India Renewable Energy Story’ was prepared by the Knowledge Partner of the event - Ernst & Young India. While delivering the theme, Sanjay Chakrabarti, partner and Cleantech Sector Leader, Ernst &Young remarked that to an outsider India may not seem proactive in innovating clean technologies, but the issue is ‘not the ingenuity to come up with these technologies, but rather the lack of adequate funds available in the country to commercialize these solutions."

The expo played host to several informative workshops conducted by L&T, Cleantech Finland & EBTC; Canadian High Commission; First Solar; Ecobuild; ASEAN, KOTRA etc as well as, offered a launch pad to WinWinD Power Energy Pvt. Ltd. for introducing WinWinD 3 model having hybrid turbine which is lighter, performs better and requires low maintenance.

6th Renewable Energy India expo reinforced its leading position by touching multitude aspects and comprehensively covering diverse sectors of renewables

during the conference. Sessions on Wind Energy deliberated on developing, building and operationalizing Indian wind assets. Highlighting the challenges, Lead- Cleantech Advisory, Ernst & Young, Mr.RupeshAgarwal, noted that the generation based incentives (GBI), which came to an end in March 2012, was the key driver that gave impetus to investments in wind energy, particularly the IPP model.

Speaking further, COO of Green Infra, Sunil Jain, said, “In addition to incentivizing the investors, the government needs to remove road blocks, such as the multiple approvals required to set up wind farms.”

Concurrently, a session on Geo-thermal Energy saw an impressive mix of speakers across industries, government bodies and academia. The session explored the current state of energy consumption and concerns around it. The session further touched upon the three applications of geo-thermal energy that is power generation, production of thermal water and driving sustainability.

The session on ‘Bio-mass: Driving Sustainable Development in Rural Communities’ began with Gupta stating that the development of the domestic bio-mass sector could transform the rural economy by increasing local employment and generating rural income. Lack of awareness of the immense potential of bio-mass in India was identified as one of the major challenges facing the industry.

The closing day of the expo played host to the ASEAN workshop steered by Prof.Dr.ChristophMenke on “Business opportunities for renewable energy in ASEAN countries”. He deliberated on the diverse market potential of ASEAN

countries in promoting business of renewable energy and possibility of collaboration with their Indian counterparts. He candidly said that amongst the ASEAN region, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand are escalating as a favourable country for business and trade of renewable energy.

The expo concluded with giving away of 2nd Youth Entrepreneurial Green Awards followed by an interactive Youth summit. As part of their CSR initiatives, the organisers invited Indian engineering youth to showcase innovative and scalable alternative energy projects to the global industry congregation present during the expo. An array of exciting display of theme on the exhibit floor made the event vibrant and engaging for general visitors. Booths on display by Waaree Energies; Rittal and Minda were felicitated as winners, while the MNRE, stall won accolades from many.

The event was actively supported by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India which has a robust growth target of 30GW of renewable energy generation by 2017. Laying significance to transmission and distribution of RE generation, Ministry of Power, Government of India also extended their support to the initiatives undertaken by UBM India.

Promoting a Democratic Industry Forum - UBM India is all set to host the 7th Renewable Energy India 2013 Expo from 12-14 September 2013 at the India Expo Center, Greater Noida (National Capital Region of Delhi). The forthcoming expo promises to unfold in an exciting format bringing all stakeholders, once again, at Asia’s biggest industry meet.

6th Renewable Energy India 2012 Expo: sets high standards as Asia’s top RE show


The biggest challenges facing the develop-ment of the solar market in the United Arab Emirates are, according to market experts, the lack of a feed-in tariff and an inadequate legal framework. This is the conclusion of a new study on the barriers to the widespread use of renewable energy, in particular solar energy, in the United Arab Emirates. The study was carried out by the Emirates Solar Industry Association (ESIA), together with PricewaterhouseCoopers. The results were presented for the first time at the “Solar Industry Summit—Middle East 2012”, held on 14th November 2012 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The survey included 20 questions about the solar industry in the United Arab Emirates. Experts, members of the solar industry and local players in the solar market were ques-tioned on topics including the technology, financing and political conditions. The study was supported by the Prime Minister’s Office. Hannes Reinisch of PricewaterhouseCoopers stated that 84 percent of respondents were of the opinion that the public sector will be a key driver for solar projects in the United Arab Emirates. 89 percent believe that feed-in tariffs would be the best incentive scheme for encouraging the solar industry in the region.

Andrea Bodenhagen of China Sunergy considers that the solar market in the Middle

East will develop into a significant market within the next five years. “Up to then at least 1 gigawatt per year should be added across the Middle East. Saudi Arabia needs to cut its own oil consumption soon, and the more experimental and adventurous nations like the United Arab Emirates could prepare the way,” said the marketing director. In less wealthy or more classical energy-importing countries, such as Jordan, this change might take somewhat longer, she said.

Proposals for creating a significant solar market in the Gulf States were outlined by Dr. Michael Kramer of Taylor Wessing. He explained the pros and cons of possible incentive schemes. Large, open space plants in the megawatt range are currently too expensive for all but state-owned investors. This is hindering market growth. He went on to say that the market is still growing too slowly to allow a really strong local solar industry to become established, for example with commercially viable local manufac-turing facilities.

The Gulf States are characterized by very good solar irradiation and stable grid networks. Electricity is heavily subsidized and power consumption is high. Currently there are few private investors. Kramer recommends a subsidy for power that is used privately, without being fed into the grid. This

way to the arresting the high power consump-tion, which currently places little burden on the consumer, but which is connected with large opportunity costs on the state’s side.

Dr Alper Çelebi of Siemens gave a talk on internal rate of return (IRR) and the factors that influence it most. He also explained that although Siemens has decided to pull out of solar energy, it is still committed to this field in the Middle East.

Matthias Schwärzle from the organizers of the conference, Solarpraxis, presented information about the use of photovoltaics in industry and commerce. An IRR of up to 20 percent is possible within two to three years here. In other countries of the Middle East and North Africa other arguments still speak for the installation of a private plant. These include poor and unreliable grid networks (with all the associated costs) as a reason for trade and industry to explore alternatives to the current power supply infrastructure.

The depth of interest in the Middle East solar market was demonstrated by the more than 100 participants at the event.

Middle east to become significant market

Event Report

For the second time the Intercontinental Hotel Beichen in Beijing played host to the Intersolar China Conference, a valuable platform for the Asian solar markets of the future, from December 11-13, 2012. Sixty-nine speakers from around the world discussed current developments in the solar industry in front of 549 Chinese and international conference attendees. Developments within the Chinese market formed the central theme of the event and the conference focused on innovative technologies and trends in photovoltaics

and solar thermal technologies. Around 70 expert presentations shed light on the most recent developments in the areas of energy storage, solar cities, large-scale photovoltaic plants, PV production and recycling, and a networking event on the first day of the conference allowed attendees to engage in intensive expert discussions.

Both the organizers and attendees were extremely satisfied with the success of the Intersolar China Conference 2012, which saw an increase in attendees of 17 percent in comparison to the previous year. 549

industry representatives from 24 countries used the conference and its 16 sessions, which covered the topics of photovol-taics and solar thermal technologies, to find out about current industry trends. Presentations on developments within the Chinese solar market were particularly well attended. The conference sessions on the decentralized power supply in the cities and the latest developments in the area of storage technologies were also met with a particularly enthusiastic response from visitors. Other sessions dealt with

experts from across the solar industry met in china

Event Report

Event Reports

sustainable PV production and recycling, the production of crystalline silicon solar cells as well as various testing methods and certification guidelines.

The chinese solar market is enjoying growth“It’s now conventional wisdom in the PV world that China will become the top market, if not in 2013 then certainly in 2014,” said Dr. Reinhold Buttgereit, Secretary General of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and one of the keynote speakers at the official opening of the conference. “This new global development means it’s time for China to send clear signals to the rest of the world: Our markets are also open to non-Chinese PV companies.”

According to figures from the Chinese National Energy Administration (NEA), a total PV capacity of 21 gigawatts (GW) is expected to be installed in China by 2015. In light of this, the session “Global PV Markets: China Perspectives”, which took place on the first day of the conference, dealt with the political conditions, strate-gies and programs vital for the expansion of solar power. “A series of incentive policies Chinese government released have already made China one of the fastest growing PV

markets in the past several years,” said Dr. Ray Lian, Solar Energy Industry Analyst at Solarbuzz, China. “With new supporting mechanisms such as encouraging distrib-uted PV generation, cumulative PV instal-lation in China is expected to exceed official targets to reach 35 to 40 gigawatts by 2015.”

The construction of large-scale PV plants will assume a central role in ensuring that the targets set out in China’s 12th Five-Year Plan (2011 to 2015) are achieved. The current challenges of developing, imple-menting and maintaining large-scale PV power plants therefore formed the focus of the double session PV Power Plants. The expert presentations on the grid integration of solar power were also well received by conference attendees.

Joint forces for Solar The People’s Republic of China is under-going enormous growth with the coun-try’s increasing urbanization leading to a continuous increase in energy consump-tion. While 51 percent of the Chinese popu-lation lived in towns or cities in 2011, this proportion is expected to rise to a total of 60 percent by 2020. In the wake of this, the double session held by the Joint Forces for Solar initiative looked at both concepts for decentralized power generation in a session

entitled Distributed Generation, as well as examining solar cities, model cities that cover a large part of their energy consump-tion with solar energy. A panel discussion involving representatives from research and industry gave conference attendees detailed insights into the future of photo-voltaics in town planning.

The market situation and the latest technological developments in the area of solar thermal technologies took center stage on the final day of the confer-ence with the sessions Large-Scale Solar Thermal Application and Concentrating Solar Power providing attendees with a comprehensive discussion of developments in the Chinese solar thermal market. An overview of the latest technologies in the area of concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) and their role in the PV market of the future concluded the varied program offered by the Intersolar China Conference 2012.

© Solar Promotion International GmbH


Happy New Year! For many, it is nice to say good riddance to 2012 and move forward into 2013. Last year will be remembered as the year of the great experiment of dimin-ishing Feed-in-Tariffs.

Some markets did surprisingly well with FiT reductions. For example, Germany actually exceeded 2011 solar PV installa-tions with 7.64 GW installed in 2012. The U.S., Japan, France, India and Central and South America also had record growth due to strong government support and very large utility completions.

Globally, the solar photovoltaic industry experienced another record year in installations (based on very preliminary data) with almost 30 GW installed, but revenues primarily collapsed on overca-pacity, economic uncertainty and incentive reductions.

As many countries (Germany, UK, Italy, Spain, etc) reduced dependency on FiTs, India, Japan and China introduced very aggressive government backed subsidy programs which are designed to greatly stimulate indigenous demand for manu-facturing and consumption.

Since the 2H10, the solar market has fallen into an abyss that is deeper and wider

than the “great recession of 2009” based on a 3/12 rate of change (Chart 1) and has many searching for the bottom. Almost the entire global electronic supply chain had a difficult 3Q12 in comparison to the prior year (Chart 2) but the solar photo-voltaic industry suffered the worst with a whopping 44% average drop in revenue.

Cells, Modules, Panels (-69% y/y), Inverters & Power Supplies’ (-56% y/y), revenues suffered the most in 3Q12 (Chart 3), but the pain was shared throughout the solar photovoltaic supply chain with the exception of the Battery & Storage sector which enjoyed an average 11% y/y growth on IT systems, back-up power supply units and electric vehicles.

On a whole, the solar photovoltaic industry revenue fell 43% in 3Q12 versus 3Q11 based on a composite of 60 publically traded companies (Chart 4) and inven-tory levels exceeded revenues for the 3rd straight quarter in 2012. Notably, revenues have fallen roughly in half compared to the previous year and so did prices, while efficiency levels rose by an average 15-30% (depending on technology).

Not surprisingly, the Vertically Integrated industry revenue fell 43% in

3Q12 as inventory gluts pressured pricing (Chart 5) resulting in five quarters of underwater earnings reports for publically traded solar companies.

Although the Cells, Modules, Panels makers took the biggest hit, they also appear to be the first to get in position for a recovery with better inventory control and improving profits (Chart 6). Custer Consulting Group’s composite contains many Taiwanese companies that are posi-tioning themselves to profit from anti-dumping/ import tariffs placed on China for by the U.S. and possibly Europe.

The Thin-Film market (Chart 7), led by First Solar (Chart 8) is showing profits and certainly feeling relieved with strong 2nd and 3rd quarter revenues which are appearing to clean up inventories.

Semiconductor Materials & Manufacturing (Chart 9) are in the back part (Chart 10) of the recovery and suffering from bloated inventories and over-capacity. The BIG surprise is that not all companies are in the doldrums, espe-cially those that are diversified such as U.S. based Globe Specialty Metals (Chart 11) which published a quotation from CEO, Jeff Bradley in its fiscal 2012 earnings report

Jon Custer-Topai

2013: out with the old, in with

the new

World Solar/Photovoltaic, Electronic Equipment & Semiconductor Shipments

3 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 900 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12

CALENDAR YEAR

0.5

0.7

0.9

1.1

1.3

1.5

1.7

1.9

3/12 rate of change

PV "0" Growth SIA El Equip

Source: Custer Consulting Group

20121201 Global Electronic Supply Chain Growth 3Q'12 vs. 3Q'11

-0-6

-52

-03

5-4

17-14

-4-1

-7-3

-1-6

-3-4

-7-44

Electronic EquipmentMilitary

Business & OfficeInstruments & Controls

MedicalCommunication

InternetComputer

StorageSEMI Equip

Semiconductors (SIA)Passive Components

Component DistribEMS-Large

ODMPCBs

PCB Process EquipMaterials

Rigid & Flex LaminateSolar/Photovoltaic

0 10 20-10-20-30-40-50% Change

20121123

US$ equivalent at fluctuating exchange; based upon industry composites including acquisitions

Chart 1. Chart 2.


Happy New Year! For many, it is nice to say good riddance to 2012 and move forward into 2013. Last year will be remembered as the year of the great experiment of dimin-ishing Feed-in-Tariffs.

Some markets did surprisingly well with FiT reductions. For example, Germany actually exceeded 2011 solar PV installa-tions with 7.64 GW installed in 2012. The U.S., Japan, France, India and Central and South America also had record growth due to strong government support and very large utility completions.

Globally, the solar photovoltaic industry experienced another record year in installations (based on very preliminary data) with almost 30 GW installed, but revenues primarily collapsed on overca-pacity, economic uncertainty and incentive reductions.

As many countries (Germany, UK, Italy, Spain, etc) reduced dependency on FiTs, India, Japan and China introduced very aggressive government backed subsidy programs which are designed to greatly stimulate indigenous demand for manu-facturing and consumption.

Since the 2H10, the solar market has fallen into an abyss that is deeper and wider

than the “great recession of 2009” based on a 3/12 rate of change (Chart 1) and has many searching for the bottom. Almost the entire global electronic supply chain had a difficult 3Q12 in comparison to the prior year (Chart 2) but the solar photo-voltaic industry suffered the worst with a whopping 44% average drop in revenue.

Cells, Modules, Panels (-69% y/y), Inverters & Power Supplies’ (-56% y/y), revenues suffered the most in 3Q12 (Chart 3), but the pain was shared throughout the solar photovoltaic supply chain with the exception of the Battery & Storage sector which enjoyed an average 11% y/y growth on IT systems, back-up power supply units and electric vehicles.

On a whole, the solar photovoltaic industry revenue fell 43% in 3Q12 versus 3Q11 based on a composite of 60 publically traded companies (Chart 4) and inven-tory levels exceeded revenues for the 3rd straight quarter in 2012. Notably, revenues have fallen roughly in half compared to the previous year and so did prices, while efficiency levels rose by an average 15-30% (depending on technology).

Not surprisingly, the Vertically Integrated industry revenue fell 43% in

3Q12 as inventory gluts pressured pricing (Chart 5) resulting in five quarters of underwater earnings reports for publically traded solar companies.

Although the Cells, Modules, Panels makers took the biggest hit, they also appear to be the first to get in position for a recovery with better inventory control and improving profits (Chart 6). Custer Consulting Group’s composite contains many Taiwanese companies that are posi-tioning themselves to profit from anti-dumping/ import tariffs placed on China for by the U.S. and possibly Europe.

The Thin-Film market (Chart 7), led by First Solar (Chart 8) is showing profits and certainly feeling relieved with strong 2nd and 3rd quarter revenues which are appearing to clean up inventories.

Semiconductor Materials & Manufacturing (Chart 9) are in the back part (Chart 10) of the recovery and suffering from bloated inventories and over-capacity. The BIG surprise is that not all companies are in the doldrums, espe-cially those that are diversified such as U.S. based Globe Specialty Metals (Chart 11) which published a quotation from CEO, Jeff Bradley in its fiscal 2012 earnings report

Jon Custer-Topai

2013: out with the old, in with

the new

World Solar/Photovoltaic, Electronic Equipment & Semiconductor Shipments

3 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 9123 6 900 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12

CALENDAR YEAR

0.5

0.7

0.9

1.1

1.3

1.5

1.7

1.9

3/12 rate of change

PV "0" Growth SIA El Equip

Source: Custer Consulting Group

20121201 Global Electronic Supply Chain Growth 3Q'12 vs. 3Q'11

-0-6

-52

-03

5-4

17-14

-4-1

-7-3

-1-6

-3-4

-7-44

Electronic EquipmentMilitary

Business & OfficeInstruments & Controls

MedicalCommunication

InternetComputer

StorageSEMI Equip

Semiconductors (SIA)Passive Components

Component DistribEMS-Large

ODMPCBs

PCB Process EquipMaterials

Rigid & Flex LaminateSolar/Photovoltaic

0 10 20-10-20-30-40-50% Change

20121123


Chart 1. Chart 2.

2013: Out with the old, in with the new

on August 20, 2012 that said, “The diverse end markets that we serve including steel, autos, consumer goods and solar continue to grow despite headwinds in Europe.”

The Process Equipment market (Chart 12) has proven to be less volatile as some of the sectors in the food chain, primarily from competitive technological environ-ment in the solar photovoltaic industry and also their ability to absorb the industry’s growing pains with a diverse product mix such as ATS Automation Tooling Systems (Chart 13) which appears to have non existent inventories and a very minimal y/y revenue decline in 3Q12. Reuters reported on August 14, 2012 that ATS Automation Tooling Systems “reported a higher 1Q12 profit driven by strong performance in its transportation segment and that the Eurozone crisis could reduce demand and order bookings at its European operations.”

The Solar Materials sector also hit a headwind in 3Q11 (Chart 14) which continued into 2012. This industry has very few pure play players and many

provide similar product lines to solar and electronics manufacturing. The economy in 2012 never really got going and admin-istrative irresolution tempered consump-tion.

The Inverter and Power Supply (Chart 15) fell 66% y/y in 3Q12 due to large business swings in geographical regions that collapsed once the lucrative incentives were exhausted.

For example, Schneider Electric’s (Chart 16) Power (solar inverter) division represented roughly 37% of total sales in its Q3 earnings report (October, 25 2012), stated that its “solution business was impacted by the decline of the solar conversion and connection activity which reported strong performance in the same period of 2011, particularly in Italy, France and Thailand.”

The Batteries & Storage market (Chart 17) is the only solar photovoltaic sector that had growth in revenues and net income in 3Q12 due to its diversification in IT, auto-mobiles and back-up power supplies.

2012 was a year that pricing squeezes moved downstream to Installations & Applications (Chart 18) which fell 26% y/y on an average as remaining OEMs fought for market share and customers made purchasing decisions based on price.

The industry has moved into the growth portion of the product life cycle where industry technologies become more standardized and companies differen-tiate on added value rather than solely on price. The FiT induced seasonality should fade away and geography production is becoming more aligned with consumption which points to more assembly in emerging markets and large baron land. Housing and unemployment are showing some signs of recovery but are far from a consumer driven recovery. Pricing will continue to drive purchasing decisions until competi-tive differences are made apparent to the consumer.

2013 should be a year that solar compa-nies increase stock valuations with acqui-sitions, more competitive business models

Global Solar/Photovoltaic Suppy Chain Growth 3Q'12 vs. 3Q'11

-43

-43

-69

-18

15

-36

-26

-24

-56

11

-26

Total Industry

Vertically Integrated

Cells, Modules, Panels

Thin Film Processes

Thin Film Process Equip

Crystalline Semiconductor Processes

Other Process Equip

Materials

Inverters & Power Supplies

Batteries & Storage

Installations & End Applications

0 20-20-40-60-80% Change

201212


20100918

Preliminary 3Q'12 estimates based upon partial data

Vertically Integrated6 Company Composite

Revenue, Net Income & Inventory

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 306 07 08 09 10 11 12

0

1000

2000

3000

-1000

-2000

US$ (millions)

Revenue 161 228 324 407 312 552 671 876 934130214111016 658 916126616811561183921302510217124492205 1837152615711263Income 23 46 99 38 26 47 81 96 129 152 113 -66 -1 -30 126 6 102 151 190 352 149 80 -144-1271 -135 -457 -380

Inventory 221 312 456 521 638 667 751 905 102211071281127414221461160014881499140415301308169019122094 1595187519271654

-43%

20121201

Converted @ fluctuating exchange rates

Canadian Solar, Motech, Solarfun, SolarWorld, Trina Solar, Yingli Green Energy

Solar/Photovoltaic FinancialsComposite of 60 Public Companies


1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 306 07 08 09 10 11 12

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

-5000

-10000

US$ (millions)

Revenue 3029 3435 3626 4394 4214 4917 6117 6965 6746 9142 9399 7597 5181 6297 7812 10343 8836 11438 1297114583 11842 12984 14670 10909 9051 8923 8300Income -493 -242 -433 -681 -773 -249 -713 -840 -484 -95 -1065 -1517 -1620 -2183 -4099 -2994 -2607 -2098 -1584 -1316 -1711 -2680 -1457 -4869 -2603 -2341 -2617

Inventory 2022 2271 3073 3126 3649 4495 4845 5334 6350 7394 7483 7061 7455 7566 6786 5844 6915 7509 8851 9330 11566 12437 12398 9817 10325 9483 9119

-43%

20121201

Note: currencies converted to US$ @ fluctuating exchange

3Q'12 estimated based upon partial data

Cells, Modules & Panels19 Company Composite


1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 306 07 08 09 10 11 12

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

-1000

US$ (millions)

Revenue 430 570 687 879 834 110613591667177321762623188312391422197925552312282633043740302528722571218614941066 805Income 16 48 124 28 25 96 104 94 155 138 89 -198 -681 -593 -398 -615 -26 -79 78 151 1 -852 -322 -881 -519 -139 -157

Inventory 324 351 456 513 593 668 641 681 755 879110411231265140312601088123412511559163721041792175810221112 499 488

20121201


AleoSolar, Arise Tech, Big Sun Energy, Centro Solar, China Sunenergy, Day4Energy, Emcore, Ersol Energy, E ton Solar TecEvergreen Solar, Gintech, Green Energy, JA Solar, Ligitek, Neo Solar Power, Q-Cells, Solar Enertech, Suntech Power, Sunways

-69%

Chart 3. Chart 4.

Chart 5. Chart 6.




and added market share.The good news is that the sun will rise

tomorrow and throughout 2013 and by this time next year, the bar will be a little higher.

Here is to a record 2013 and lesson’s learned in 2012.

biPVTotal BIPV system capacity is expected to quintuple from over 400 MW in 2012 to 2,250 MW in 2017.—Pike Research

cells modules panelsSolar market consolidated from more than 750 global solar module and cell companies in 2010 to fewer than 150 in 2012.—IHSCanadian Solar appointed Guangchun Zhang, COO.China Sunergy began operating 150MW solar module line at jv manufacturing facility in Istanbul, Turkey with Seul Energy Investment.Equity Solar appointed Lawson Huang to Oversee Asia Sales.Gintech will introduce P-type mono-crys-talline solar cell in 1H13.Hanwha SolarOne • named Eran Kopel, Sales and Marketing

Director for Modiin, Israel office. • received 3 billion Yuan ($481 million)

credit line from Bank of Beijing.Hokkaido University developed new type of solar cell with theoretical 85% efficiency.Isofoton manufactured solar photovoltaic cells with 19.5% efficiency.JA Solar • began mass production of 6-Inch full-

square monocrystalline modules. • regained compliance with NASDAQ

minimum bid price rule.Kaneka and Belgium’s imec developed next-generation heterojunction solar cells

with 22.68% certified power conversion efficiency.Kyocera’s North American manufacturing facilities surpassed production of two million photovoltaic solar modules.LDK Solar closed the share purchase agreement with Heng Rui Xin Energy.Martifer Solar USA named Roland Kiser, CFO.Motech Industries opened a Waterbury, Connecticut distribution center.Myrae Energy invested 120 billion rupiahs (about $12.48 million) to build a solar cell plant in Sabang, Aceh province, Indonesia.Natcore Technology commissioned construction of upgraded AR-Box™ solar cell processing station that will include black silicon capability from MicroTech Systems.Neo Solar Power • and Delta Group entered strategic

cooperation plan to create the largest solar cell company in Taiwan.

• named Sam Hong, CEO; Andy Shen, President and Chairman Quincy Lin as Chief Strategy Officer.

• revised down its capital equipment to US$77 million and materials to US$150 million as a result of the planned merger with DelSolar.

NLAB Solar received 60 MSEK loan from Energimyndigheten to develop and demonstrate the industrial production of its new solar cell technology at 2000 m2 factory in Stockholm.Panasonic opened 45 billion yen solar panel factory in Kedah, Malaysia.ReneSola began providing locally produced PV modules to the Indian market.Sandia National Laboratories is building regional testing centers in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Denver, Colorado; Orlando, Florida; Burlington, Vermont and Las

Vegas, Nevada.Sanko Solar Mongolia began manufac-turing solar panels in German standards in Mongolia.Sharp • abandoned Solar jv with Enel.• achieved world’s highest solar cell

conversion efficiency of 37.7% using triple-junction compound solar cell in which three photo-absorption layers are stacked together.

• outsourced some production of resi-dential solar panels to SunPower.

• Shunfeng Photovoltaic International appointed Wang Yu, Executive Director.

Silevo • named Aaron Thurlow, VP Of Sales

And Marketing.• proprietary tunneling junction cell

architecture achieved 22.1% cell conversion efficiency as measured by Sandia National Laboratories.

Solartech is investing RM500 million over the next five years to add eight manufac-turing lines with a total capacity of 360 MW in Penang, Malaysia.SolarWorld appointed Europe Solar Innovations to support sales activities in Tokyo, Japan.SunPower began supplying Toshiba with 20.1% efficiency solar panel for Japanese market.Suntech cut two of its three production shifts and about 50 jobs in Goodyear, Arizona.Sunways reduced production and develop-ment activities in Arnstadt, Germany.U.S. Department of Energy’s III-V multi-junction photovoltaics group created solar cell with 44% efficiency.Unitech Printed Circuit Board consoli-dated its PCB and solar cell plants in Yilan, Taiwan into a single subsidiary.Willard & Kelsey owes state of Ohio $10.3

Thin Film4 Company Composite


1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 305 06 07 08 09 10 11 12

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

-200

-400

-600

US$ (millions)

Revenue 103 93 110 110 132 136 152 168 191 199 278 334 317 387 495 569 513 640 590 769 683 689 910 700 668 6561123 771 5901045 916Income 3 -4 1 -7 -10 -7 2 10 -5 39 41 48 22 35 78 116 161 170 132 131 161 120 147 118 77 -46 176-438-468 81 64

Inventory 55 95 38 39 52 43 69 56 67 94 155 179 159 161 198 218 183 207 227 211 227 323 398 486 558 682 701 684

20121123


Ascent Solar Technologies, DayStar Technologies, First Solar, Moser Baer India

-18%

preliminary 3Q'12 estimate based upon partial data

First Solar, Inc.Revenue, Net Income & Inventory

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 305 06 07 08 09 10 11 12

CY

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

-200

-400

-600

$ Millions

Revenue 9 9 17 14 14 28 41 53 67 77 159 201 197 267 349 434 418 526 481 641 568 588 798 610 567 533 1006 660 497 957 839Income -1 -0 2 -7 -6 -2 4 8 5 44 46 63 47 70 99 133 165 181 153 142 172 159 177 156 116 61 197 -413 -449 111 88

Inventory 7 10 8 11 17 15 27 32 40 59 107 126 122 131 163 178 153 172 194 184 196 271 323 433 476 583 581 538

FSLR

20121110

- 17%

Chart 7. Chart 8.




million ($5,684,365 to the air authority and $4,615,843 to the development services agency).Yingli was world’s largest PV module maker in 2012 with estimated 2.2 GW shipped.

energyGlobal energy-demand growth is esti-mated to grow 35% to 705 quadrillion British thermal units by 2040 as expanding populations in Africa and India use more electricity.—Exxon MobilU.S. • power demand in 2012 averaged 10.46

billion kilowatt-hours a day.• produced about 78 quadrillion Btu

(quads) of energy in 2011.World added net 3 GW of nuclear capacity in 2012 with new additions in South Korea and Canada partly offset by more U.K. shutdowns.

finance & venture capitalRenewable energy investment fell for the

first time in 8 years in 2012, from record US$237 billion (€183.08 billion) in 2011.—Ernst & Young

fiT & policyChina allocated 13 billion Yuan ($2 billion) in 2012 from central government funds for domestic solar installations totaling 5.2 GW of capacity.India’s Central Electricity Regulatory Commission fixed solar photovoltaic tariffs at Rs 7.87/unit for 2013-14.Italy introduced EUR 900 million (USD 1.2 billion) subsidy programs for solar thermal and other renewable heat systems.Malta introduced new PV feed-in tariffs ranging from 16c/kWh—18c/kWh for 20 years.Spain’s total payable premiums dropped from €307 million in August to €121 million in September.—Spanish Photovoltaic Union UNEFTaiwan government will cut tariffs by between 9.23% and 11.88% for solar power plants in different capacity categories in

1H13.Victoria, Australia’s Solar PV feed-in tariff rates were cut to AUD 0.08 (USD 0.08) per kWh for solar photovoltaic plants up to 100 kW.

integrationNon-hardware costs make up 41% to 50% of the expenses of selling and installing a solar electric system.—National Renewable Energy LaboratoryU.S. federal government approved plan to transform 285,000 acres of vacant land in the western United States into solar energy farms.Utility-scaled solar installations reached record 8.5 GW in 2012.—PV-TechLarsen & Toubro appointed R. Srinivasan, VP and Head of Clean & Alternative Energy.NRG Energy and GenOn Energy, merged.OPEL Solar sold non-cash assets used in connection with the operation of its single axis solar power tracker business to Northern States Metals.

Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.Revenue, Net Income & Inventory

2H'06 1H'07 2H'07 1H'08 2H'08 1H'09 2H'09 1H'10 2H'10 1H'11 2H'11 1H'12

CY

0.0

100.0

200.0

300.0

400.0

-100.0

$ Millions

Revenue 111.0 111.0 190.8 261.8 268.5 157.8 213.7 258.9 293.1 348.7 340.4 365.1Income 5.9 5.9 7.7 28.8 -44.6 2.6 27.0 7.1 13.9 38.9 34.1 20.4

Inventory 39.1 51.1 63.6 74.2 67.4 54.5 87.2 100.0 109.3 118.7 119.4

20120825

http://investor.glbsm.com/index.cfm Consolidated Results

Revenue and income averaged based on 12 month results

Aquired Globe Metallurgical, Inc. in Nov. 2006 and Solsil, Inc. in Jan. 2008

GSM

Process Equipment4 Company Composite


1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 306 07 08 09 10 11 12

0

200

400

600

800

-200

US$ (millions)

Revenue 286 261 251 250 252 287 363 339 468 433 521 514 388 301 346 417 443 415 530 608 628 532 545 450 664 456 404Income -47 11 10 7 -58 -1 18 8 47 34 57 66 22 -1 17 48 39 34 57 65 47 63 -16 34 93 31 19

Inventory 175 191 185 194 198 212 242 250 317 355 360 399 372 353 348 349 294 305 369 394 424 390 371 409 414 424 436

20121123


ATS Automation Tooling, GT Solar, Rofin-Sinar, Spire

-26%preliminary 3Q'12 estimate based upon partial data

Chart 11. Chart 12.

Semiconductor Materials & Manufacturing9 Company Composite


1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 306 07 08 09 10 11 12

0

500

1000

1500

2000

-500

-1000

US$ (millions)

Revenue 114 142 191 232 247 293 395 456 549 8391000 803 536 453 572 666 776 110613581657148811781108 854 644 723 708Income 9 18 28 18 46 62 80 82 103 195 141 -341 -70 -241 7 -83 25 85 139 241 228 -65 -110 -700 -258 -301 -350

Inventory 67 71 70 75 235 334 407 576 796 10111189 982 862 693 687 717 774 761 763 829 9561439162911751043 928 841

20121201


5N Plus, Amtech, LDK Solar, Precision Silicon, Renesolar, Sino-American Silicon, SUMCO, Timminco, Wafer Works

-36%

preliminary 3Q'12 estimate based upon partial data

BUSINESS CYCLE Supply Chain Effect

%Growth

PanelsCellsRaw MaterialsProcess Equipment

0

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InventoryIncreases

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20090107

Chart 9. Chart 10.




Pfister Energy appointed Andrew Nekus, VP of Business Development and Engineering, and Robert Vessie VP of Operations.QBotix received $1 million to develop more solar robots under SunShot Initiative sponsored by US Department of Energy.RevoluSun promoted Nicholas Huntz to GM.Sungevity appointed Daniel Guest, VP of Field Sales.

inverters & power suppliesAEG Power Solutions appointed Luis Garcia to manage Santiago de Chile Branch Office.CEPRI and GL Garrad Hassan entered Strategic Cooperation for PV inverter testing.Enphase Energy appointed Ciaran Fox, VP of Quality and Reliability; Martin Rogers, VP of Customer Service and Support and Steve Lapointe, VP Human Resources.Ideal Power Converters completed $4 million convertible debt financing.

KACO New Energy set up a factory and offices in San Antonio, Texas.Mastervolt • opened new test laboratory suitable for

photovoltaic inverters of up to 50 kW. • received ISO 9001 certification.• Phoenix Mecano acquired 80% stake in

Bond Tact.Princeton Power Systems developed 2MW inverter for U.S. Department of Energy.Schneider Electric added iTAC Software as a MES solution across its 14 facilities worldwide.SMA Solar • plans to cut the price of inverters

by slashing production costs and purchasing prices in 2013.

• acquired majority stake of 72.5% in Jiangsu Zeversolar New Energy.

• Sunways cut 40% of workforce.Sustainable Energy Technologies • sold limited scope non-exclusive

license for $2.5 million to tenKsolar. • closed $500,000 equity financing with

Doughty Hanson Technology Ventures.

Market & business conditionsWorldwide PV grid-connected systems reached a total of 29.7GW in 2012.—EnergyTrendSolar PV To Grow 26-fold from 32 TW/ hrs in 2010 to 846 TW/hrs in 2035; European Union solar PV capacity will grow to 146 GW over the next two decades and China will grow to 113 GW; India, 85 GW; US, 68 GW and Japan, 54 GW.—IEASwanson’s Law = the cost of the photovol-taic cells needed to generate solar power falls by 20% with each doubling of global manufacturing capacity.Asian clean tech-company revenue rose 20% to $56 billion as sales by European companies fell 32% to $49.5 billion.—Ernst & YoungAsia-Pacific solar power market revenues are expected to grow from over US$7.60 billion in 2011 to US$11.11 billion by 2016 on falling solar panel prices and acceler-ated Feed-in-tariff deployment.—Frost & Sullivan

ATS Automation Tooling Systems, Inc.Revenue, Net Income & Inventory

2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 303 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12

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Revenue 137 137 160 183 181 180 200 209 189 152 176 209 166 145 152 151 155 147 174 186 212 219 222 202 153 148 138 139 151 162 192 199 127 146 149 174 152 141Income 2 0 -2 -3 3 0 6 0 5 -3 -6 -66 0 -2 -2 -81 -9 -19 -4 8 13 9 12 14 0 6 4 2 6 3 -12 -16 -5 -67 10 3 10 8

Inventory 76 76 73 74 79 74 72 67 65 67 71 70 72 73 75 75 78 92 88 94 102 107 126 138 136 128 125 80 79 96 95 96 13 11 11 10 11 11

20121110

www.atsautomation.com/

- 3%

Materials3 Company Composite


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Revenue 411423468512474544480518489482532566528520557590554614661714686535493563599644702759732754764847704563596596535Income -16 -10 2 -6 7 65 -11 1 0 -5 2 9 3 -7 -1 -9 -2-116 16 19 16 -50 -19 -28 -5 -52-382 -13 -16 -7-233 -16 -47 -37 -11 -12-329

Inventory 195197214217228234251246237236254263277286329331314287342348341300269296363362357345355361455451411334346335298

20121111


Daxon Technology, Energy Conversion Devices, Ferro

-24%Very preliminary 3Q'12 estimate based upon partial data

Chart 13. Chart 14.

Inverters & Power Supplies5 Company Composite


1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 306 07 08 09 10 11 12

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Revenue 10401039 921101312111082 14811540 9711665 1116 942 635 853110218481202215923632532183427054499 2513219918031978Income -492 -391 -735 -844 -801 -476-1056 -803 -923 -695-1528 -857 -991-1457-4006-2490-2564-2466-2230-2369-1961-1696 -557-1397-1248-1477-1384

Inventory 676 7631171118310801518 1572175119712646 210119002142 23401344 9481564229931203596432848904356 3818383636583695

20121111


Delta Electronics, Satcon Technology, SMA Solar, Sustainable Energy, Sysgration

-66%Very preliminary 3Q'12 estimate based upon partial data

Schneider ElectricRevenue, Net Income & Inventory

1H'02 2H'02 1H'03 2H'03 1H'04 2H'04 1H'05 2H'05 1H'06 2H'06 1H'07 2H'07 1H'08 2H'08 1H'09 2H'09 1H'10 2H'10 1H'11 2H'11 1H'12

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Revenue 4576 4485 4236 4544 4977 5373 5399 6280 6586 7144 8254 9055 8946 9365 7755 8038 8571 11009 10336 12051 11408Income 187 260 200 254 373 485 427 602 622 725 749 873 871 852 346 478 735 985 802 1018 890

Inventory 1234 1147 1156 1409 1435 1409 1581 1637 1826 2056 2634 2481 2539 2584 2343 2174 2746 3139 3684 3349 3598

20120803

www.schneider-electric.com/ Consolidated Results

Aquired Xantrex Technology Inc in Oct. 2008

Chart 15. Chart 16.




Australia achieved 2 GW of cumulative sub-100kW PV installations in November, 2012 month and 45MW of solar panel installations larger than 100kW in capacity.Bangladesh reached a cumulative of 1 million solar home installations in November, 2012.California set ‘record’ for winter solar power generation when solar output reached a peak between 950-1,000 MW at around 10:30 a.m, December 19, 2012.China • added 2.71 GW of PV in first nine

months of 2012.—SERC• introduced next batch of the govern-

ment’s Golden Sun Program with 2.83 GW of solar installations.

• plans to add 10 GW of solar in 2013.—National Energy Administration

Emerging global markets are forecast to grow from 1.6 GW in 2012 to 12 GW of new photovoltaic capacity in 2017.—IHSFrance• total installed PV capacity increased

34% y/y to 241MW in 3Q12.• doubled production capacity growth

target to 1,000 MW per year.Germany • solar installations rose 2% y/y to 7,634

MW in 2012.—Bundesnetzagentur• utilities’ solar power output rose

to 25,000 GW hours in January to September period, from 16,500 GW hours a year earlier.—BDEW

• had record 1.3 million photovoltaic systems in 2012; accounting for about 5% of country’s total electricity usage.

India • launched anti-dumping investigations

regarding imported solar cells from China, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia and U.S.

• solar power installed capacity was 1047 MW in November 2012, and is expected to add another 610 MW by March 2013.

Japan• installed more than 1.8GW of solar

power capacity in 2012.—NPD SolarBuzz.

• total generating capacity of solar cells surged 80% y/y to 626,900kw for 3Q12.—Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association

Romania solar plant installed capacity will grow from 50-100 MW in 2012 to 500-1,000 MW in 2013 and 1,500 MW in 2016.—ANRESolar market industry revenues—measured as system prices multiplied by total GW installed—peaked is expected to fall from $94 billion in 2011 and $77 billion in 2012 to $75 billion in 2013.—IHSTaiwan government drafted action plan to help photovoltaic manufacturing industry expand into overseas markets.U.S. • International Trade Commissioner

implemented five-year duties on Chinese solar products.

• solar industry created 8,500 instal-lation jobs in 2012 and has grown to support 119,016 U.S. jobs across all 50 states.—Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census 2012

• solar PV installations hit record 1.2 GW in 4Q12 and 3.2 GW for 2012.—GTM Research

UK added 95.6 MW solar photovoltaic installations in 3Q12.—Solar Power Portal UKUkraine installed cumulative photovol-taic capacity tripled y/y to 415 MWp in 2012.—Inea Consulting

Materials & componentsGlobal ethylene vinyl acetate market is expected to grow at 4.4% CAGR from 2,286,193 tons in 2011 to 2,966,078 tons in 2017.—ReportsandReportsSilver consumption by the solar industry

plunged to 40 million ounces (1,244 tons) in 2012 after touching a record of more than 60 million ounces in 2011.—Thomson Reuters GFMSSilver inks and pastes in the PV sector will decline from a value of $4.9 billion in 2013 to about $3.4 billion in 2020.—NanoMarkets Asahi Glass shut down its Kingsport, Tennessee plant.BioSolar entered contract manufacturing agreement with Stevens Urethane.Dow Chemical opened photovoltaics films application laboratory in Shanghai, China.DUNMORE named Patrick Anglim, Development Manager for Gemini contract manufacturing.Ferro named Peter Thomas interim President and CEO after James Kirsch stepped down.FLEXcon promoted Michelle Ostiguy to Director of Photovoltaic and Barrier business group.Giga Solar added production lines at its photovoltaic conductive-paste plant in the Southern Taiwan Science Park.HELUKABEL moved HQ to new location in Elgin, Illinois.Mitsubishi Materials developed gallium recovery technology that doesn’t involve smelting.PPG introduced heat-strengthened 2-millimeter glass for solar applications.

Monitors & trackingNorthern States Metals bought Opel Technologies’ non-cash assets used in connection with its single axis solar power tracker business.SPG Solar moved corporate HQ to Petaluma, California.

Chart 18.

Batteries & Storage4 Companies


1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 306 07 08 09 10 11 12

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Revenue 167 207 287 299 259 321 413 464 406 456 564 504 367 452 532 512 465 565 573 555 521 649 745 690 644 796 826Income 11 13 22 21 16 23 36 35 25 32 47 28 20 29 38 39 31 50 41 31 32 44 51 47 40 48 45

Inventory 96 111 130 112 143 179 180 134 154 157 216 230 162 219 251 235 279 289 257 220 289 364 397 299 319 402 454

20121111


Celxpert Energy, China Ritar, DynaPack International, Simplo Technology

+11%

Installations & Applications5 Company Composite


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Revenue 167 284 283 623 348 485 601 674 666 1168 980 828 351 695 825 1249 690 107810681525 741 109511671045 693 865 863Income -5 12 14 47 -21 -31 -15 -282 -57 -4 -78 -214 -60 -31 -10 22 7 20 9 101 -50 -191 -489 -226 -100 -116 -144

Inventory 114 169 287 189 392 516 681 682 898 733 712 692 799 604 714 473 706 625 688 757 996 800 894 605 696 607 568

20121123


Akeena Solar, Conenergy, Phoenix Solar, Real Goods Solar, SunPower

-26%preliminary 3Q'12 estimate based upon partial data

Chart 17.




Process equipmentAMETEK acquired Atlas Material Testing Technology.Applied Materials • hired Ali Salehpour to head Energy and

Environmental Solutions and Display business units.

• named Thomas Larkins as Sr. VP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.

ASYS opened new office in Zapopan, Mexico.BTU International promoted Peter Tallian to COO.centrotherm photovoltaics • trading on Frankfurt Stock Exchange

will be switched from prime standard to general standard on March 1, 2013.

• received 300-MW order for solar cell production systems from China for anti-reflective coating and phospho-rous diffusion.

JYT successfully sued LDK for breaching equipment procurement agreement in July 2008 for up to 580 JYT660 polysilicon ingot furnaces.LPKF named Christian Bieniek, Board Member.Manz cut 62 jobs in its solar division in Reutlingen, Tübingen and Karlstein, Germany.Meyer Burger cut additional 250 jobs after reducing the workforce 19% in 2012.Nordson MARCH named Jonathan Doan, Director of Marketing.SCHMID Group appointed Ralf Lüdemann to lead the Energy Storage Business Unit.Tokyo Electron • acquired Oerlikon’s solar business.• dissolved JV solar cell production

equipment subsidiary with Sharp.Twin Creeks Technologies was liquidated.

Silicon ingot waferAUO spent NT$3.5 billion (US$116.7 million) to boost stakes in M.Setek subsid-iary to 93.47%.Daqo New Energy appointed Arthur Wong, Independent Director.Ferrotec restructured its solar product business and cut 800 jobs.GCL-Poly Energy acquired 20% stake in Motech from TSMC.IBM developed silicon wafer recycling system.JX Nippon Oil & Energy ended silicon wafer production.LDK Solar • named Xingxue Tong CEO and

Chairman of the Board. • was awarded RMB 248.9 million by

CIETAC for the loss of profitability and arbitral fees accrued as a result of this

proceeding with Canadian Solar.• terminated contract to supply products

to Sumitomo for $33.4 million settle-ment.

Mayaterials and Wadham Energy devel-oped environmentally friendly and cost effective method for producing ultra-pure polysilicon feedstock.Newport introduced PV wafer testing and calibration for bare cells up to 156 mm x 156 mm.Nexolon was offered $12 million incen-tive package to move its U.S. HQ to San Antonio and build a manufacturing plant in Brooks City-Base, Texas.PV Crystalox Solar • lowered its wafer shipment guidance

to between 100-105MW. restructured operations and cut jobs.

• shuttered its polysilicon production facility in Bitterfeld, Germany.

SiC Processing filed for insolvency in Porsgrunn, Norway.Sino-American Silicon hired 350 workers to fulfill improving orders.

Thin filmFlexible PV is expected to grow from less than 70 MW of CIGS cells in 2012 to over 240MW by 2017.—IDTechExaleo solar sold its 9.23% equity interest in Bosch Solar CISTech to Robert Bosch.Ascent Solar Technologies • appointed Robert Roche, VP of Sales,

Marketing and Communications. • received Air Force Small Business

Innovative Research Phase 2 award to demonstrate a next-generation photo-voltaic products.

DayStar Technologies • appointed William Richardson to its

Board of Directors.• entered $3.9 million dollar debt reduc-

tion agreement.• named John Ng, CFO.• purchased Premier Global Holdings.Equity Solar appointed former DuPont Executive, David Maloney to its Board of Directors.First Solar • ended photovoltaic production in

Frankfurt Oder, Germany. • hired Johan Cilliers as Regional

Director for Sub-Saharan Africa and Tim Rebhorn as Sr. VP, Project Development.

G24 Innovations was sold out of admin-istration in pre-pack deal that secured all 42 jobs.Global Solar Energy ceased operations.Moser Baer received IEC certification for its 40MW thin film line in Greater Noida.Schüco sold its solar module produc-tion and related capital assets in

Osterweddingenand Großröhrsdorf, Germany and R&D center in Bielefeld.Signet Solar filed for Chapter 11 bank-ruptcy two years after it shut down.Solar Frontier pushed CIS thin-film effi-ciency to 19.7%.Solexel achieved record 20.62% thin-silicon cell efficiency utilizing applied nanotech’s proprietary aluminum metalli-zation material.Solyndra’s Fremont factory sale to Seagate was approved by bankruptcy judge.Stion • is expanding production capacity

to 140 MW/ year in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

• received $2M award from US Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative to continue pilot production and scale-up its ultra high-efficiency thin film modules.

Thin film process equipment & materialsGlobal Photonic Energy developed organic photovoltaic technology that achieves $0.45 cents per watt.GT Advanced Technologies acquired Twin Creeks Technologies assets.Intevac appointed Norm Pond, President and CEO.Picosun introduced roll-to-roll ALD coating system.VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and PrintoCent added roll-to-roll testing equipment from SME Probot.

Jon Custer-Topai is vice president of Custer Consulting Group and responsible for the corporation’s market research and news analysis activities. Jon is a member of the IPC and active in the Technology Marketing Research Council. [email protected]



Title

cost of ownership will be further improved. Optimised line width, higher finger conductivity and simple contacting of high emitter sheet resistances allows to reduce the overall silver consumption well above the technical potential of all available paste printing technologies. www.rena.com

TÜV rheinland offers compulsory flammability testing for photovoltaic modulesAs the world’s leading testing service provider for the solar industry, TÜV Rheinland offers the required testing services to module manufacturers in line with UNI 8457 and UNI 9174, as well as classification in accordance with UNI 9177. This is all possible thanks to a new cooperation with the northern Italian fire protection laboratory of L.S. Fire Testing Institute Srl. It is one of few laboratories in Italy authorized by the Italian Ministry of the Interior to carry out the testing and classifications. www.tuv.com/pv

new rena cell plating technologyThe new RENA InCellPlate platform targets for massive front-side cost reduc-tion on mc- and c-Si solar cells by combining seed printing and plating for up to 0.3 percent absolute efficiency gain. With the integrated silver reclaim the total

recycling of rejects—Manufacturers can get more out of porous siliconDECKER-Anlagenbau has put a silicon-purifying system on the market which is also capable of treating difficult-to-purify

new products for manufacturers


New products

porous silicon. The silicon purified in this manner is subsequently suitable for production of high-performance solar cells and can be marketed at a correspondingly higher profit. Silicon chunks are granulated in order to provide access to the surface area hidden in the cracks and crevices. The corresponding substance is vacuumed up by a separated field on the belt on which the silicon is lying. In this manner the process solves quality and efficiency problems. www.decker-anlagenbau.de

duPont Microcircuit Materials introduces highest efficiency Solamet® PV metallization pastes to dateDuPont Microcircuit Materials (MCM) has introduced its next-generation frontside metallization pastes for crystalline silicon solar cells. DuPont™ Solamet® PV18x series photovoltaic metallization pastes offer photovoltaic manufacturers improved productivity beyond that provided by Solamet® PV17x series, the current industry benchmark. Solamet® PV18A, the first product in the series, is tailored for optimal performance on mono-crystalline wafers with enhanced Lightly Doped Emitters (LDEs). PV18A is demonstrating efficiency gains despite significantly less material consumption when compared to Solamet® PV17F, further widening the gap in perfor-mance with other competitive products in the market. mcm.dupont.com

Twin laser system for higher productivityThe InnoLas Systems ILS TT DS laser processing system is equipped with laser source(s) and two optics for high throughput. Using the appropriate laser source and optics, the ILS TT DS can be used for both contact opening and selective

emitter doping. Both processes are impor-tant for a high efficiency of crystalline solar cells. The ILS TT DS design allows users to combine the main processing steps for PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact) cells with local rear contacts in one system. www.innolas.com

henkel partners with GreenVolts® on environmentally responsible metal coating process to protect cPV solar systemHenkel announced that its Aquence® Co-Cure technology has been selected for use by GreenVolts®, Inc., for its higher-performing, lower cost protection against corrosion and UV-damage. GreenVolts and its investor and global strategic partner ABB are the first to use this process for solar energy equipment.

Henkel worked with GreenVolts and AkzoNobel to customize a process that layers Henkel’s Aquence® autodeposition coatings with Akzo’s powder topcoat and “co-cures” them in a single oven, which provides solar components with higher quality finishes, increased durability, and ultraviolet protection for 25 years. www.aquencecoatings.com

ecM introduces low-cost, flexible conductive adhesive

Engineered Conductive Materials intro-duces the fast curing CA-141 Conductive Adhesive for stringing and bussing next-

generation CIGS solar modules. This material formulation has been optimized for excellent conductivity and stability on molybdenum and other substrates used in thin-film manufacturing. CA-141 is low-cost ECA designed for thermal cycling and damp heat stability on molyb-denum and other substrates used in the CIGS manufacturing process. The low Tg of CA-141 is suitable for manufacturing flexible modules using reel-to-reel manu-facturing. www.conductives.com

The next dimension of solar cell inspectionWith the new generation electrolumi-nescence (EL) inspection system, ISRA SOLAR VISION has achieved another quantum leap in the high-accuracy inspec-tion of solar cells: SOLARSCAN-EL Multispectral Dual provides the most accurate defect classification resulting in the lowest false detection and therefore lowest false downgrading rates on the market. At triple inspection speed it is also the industry’s fastest electroluminescence inspection. www.isravision.com

baker Solar set to revolutionize wet process development

Baker Solar introduces FlexTool mini, an inline wet bench designed specifically for the R&D and pilot-scale requirements of today’s wafer and cell manufacturers. In the dynamic world of process develop-ment, PV companies need flexible tools to handle a variety of wet chemistries through a range of single- and double-sided appli-cations. FlexTool mini does precisely that. Currently installed FlexTools in the United States and Europe are operating both single- and double-sided processes with patent-pending touchless ViaFlood transport technology. Rinsing and drying is achieved with Baker Solar’s propri-etary high-volume, low-pressure ViaHead module. www.bakersolarinc.com

new Products


Title

intelligence dashboard and an advanced system grouping and filtering tool. The SolarNOC™ dashboard is a highly custom-izable web interface for the display of key performance indicators and PV system diagnostic data. Users log into the applica-tion and immediately see the most relevant system information and performance metrics for their role within an organiza-tion. www.locusenergy.com

bentek Solar introduces PV 101 MdSS for safety and code complianceBentek Solar informed that its MDSS is a cost-effective means for providing safety and code compliance for PV installa-tions. The MDSS contains a bank of load-break disconnects in a

new dedicated range of solar tracking actuatorsIn the development of its new ZSA range of electro-mechanical solar actuators, the innovative ZIMM GmbH of Austria has started from scratch. Its product isn’t an adaptation of established technology, it is one that has been purposely designed for its task. And the end result is now available in the UK from HepcoMotion®. Simple design and the use of lean manufacturing techniques however have enabled ZIMM to achieve an excellent price to perfor-mance ratio for these products that are also very easy to install. www.zimm-solar.com

Locus energy to launch an enterprise-grade asset management application for distributed solar PV systemsLocus Energy is preparing to launch SolarNOC™—an enterprise-grade web application for management of fleets of residential, commercial and utility PV systems. The first SolarNOC™ components to be released will be a role-based business

compact, free-standing cabinet. Typically, the MDSS is installed next to the inverter and provides the safety and arc flash reduc-tion that is needed in all photovoltaic (PV) systems, solving a critical safety issue that is commonly overlooked. The MDSS provides code-compliant fuse isolation that inverters do not. This allows fuses in the inverter to be removed safely. www.bentek.com/solar.html

Suntech introduces new modules in europe, americasSuntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., intro-duced a new generation of their successful 72-cell module for commercial and util-ity-scale electricity generation in Europe. The SuperPoly STP305-24/Ve, with 15.7 percent efficiency, is ideally suited for large-scale commercial projects seeking a low levelized cost of energy (LCOE). The new Ve-Series modules feature a slim frame design lowering storage and shipment costs by up to 16 percent. Suntech’s SuperPoly technology achieves high efficiency by utilizing an advanced ingot casting process. Suntech is also offering a 300 watt (W)

new products for integrators andinstallers


New products

solar module for commercial and utility-scale solar projects in North and South America. The new Ve-Series module, with 72 multicrystalline cells and 15.5 percent module efficiency, comes with an improved frame design as well as a 1000 volt (V) operational certification. The improved module design also reduces frame thick-ness from 50mm to 40mm. The module is certified to withstand extreme wind (3,800 Pascal) and snow (5,400 Pascal) loads. This superior frame design reduces total shipping, handling and storage costs. www.suntech-power.com

faster solar PV system testing with the PV150

Seaward Solar has produced a new video to demonstrate the fast testing effective-ness of its PV150 dedicated solar PV tester. The short video shows how the tester can be used to take PV system open circuit voltage, short circuit current and insulation resistance measurements in less than one minute, and contrasts its use with tradi-tional test methods using a multi function tester and a current clamp.www.seawardsolar.com

anTariS SoLar introduces new standalone, portable off-grid solar PV systemsANTARIS SOLAR has launched two new stand-alone, portable photovoltaic systems. The eKiss Box and the even smaller Mini eKiss Box can be used to generate power in off grid locations such as stables, outbuild-ings, sheds, camp sites, hunting cabins or holiday homes. Available in four versions

covering a power range between 350 and 2,000 Watts, the eKiss Box (short for energy Keep it simple & safe) is easy to install and operate and uses maintenance-free AGM batteries for electricity storage. Prices start at £900 for a fully customised eKiss Box. www.antaris-solar.com/uk

Solmetric makes major upgrade to its PV analyzer i-V curve tracer softwareSolmetric has released version 2.0 of its PV Analyzer™ software. This software ships with new PV Analyzers and is avail-able as a free upgrade for all existing PV Analyzers. The PV Analyzer is an elec-trical test solution that combines I-V curve tracing with built-in, predictive PV models to provide the fastest and most complete performance verification available for commissioning and troubleshooting PV arrays. The PV Analyzer reduces the contractual and financial risks associated with PV system performance by cost-effec-tively verifying array performance under existing irradiance and temperature condi-tions. www.solmetric.com

Kaco new energy Launches next-Generation Solar PV inverters optimized with ampt Mode™KACO new energy has released its solar PV inverters with Ampt Mode™ to reduce the cost of commercial and utility-scale PV systems when deployed with DC opti-mizers from Ampt. When set in Ampt Mode™ and deployed with Ampt’s DC optimizers, system owners save up to 40 percent or more on balance of system (BOS) electrical components and labor, and benefit from higher lifetime energy production. www.kaco-newenergy.com, www.ampt.com

TMeic introduces Solar ware® 100kw inverterTMEIC Corporation introduces the new Solar Ware® 100kW Inverter, approved for outdoor installation. The new inverter is the latest addition to TMEIC’s portfolio of PV utility scale solar inverters for industrial markets. Built on decades of engineering experience with power electronics, Solar Ware® inverters offer the industry’s most advanced grid management in an efficient, compact footprint. www.tmeic.com

integrators andinstallers

new Products


New products

Vishay intertechnology introduces snap-in power aluminum capacitors for solar applicationsVishay Intertechnology, Inc. has intro-duced a new series of snap-in power aluminum capacitors with a rated voltage of 500 V at 50 °C and a category voltage of 450 V at 105 °C. Targeted at solar applica-tions, where the highest voltage is present under no load conditions, the 193 PUR-SI Solar devices also feature a long useful life and rated ripple current up to 2.52 A at + 105 °C and 100 Hz. www.vishay.com

raycap introduces new Strikesorb 35 surge protective device for PV systems up to 1500V dcRaycap has added a new product to its line of award-winning Strikesorb Surge Protective Devices (SPD). The new Strikesorb 35 modules feature enhanced performance characteristics and are specif-ically designed to protect the DC power circuits of photovoltaic systems rated up to 1,500V DC. The products deliver high performance surge protection and reli-ability while fully complying with the new prEN50539-11 standard which defines the requirements and tests for SPDs intended for installation on the DC side of photovol-taic power systems.www.raycapsurgeprotection.com

3 kw PV-kit with charge controller unit continues to power homes during grid outages; battery-ready solution includedMAGE SOLAR is introducing a convenient 3 kW emergency kit that is designed as a stand-alone solution to provide reliable power during grid outages. Geared mainly towards the residential home or small commercial market, the emergency kit contains the company’s signature MAGE POWERTEC PLUS modules, a pitched roof mounting solution, and Balance Of System. It also includes an inverter with charge controller unit to charge an existing battery system or to directly provide elec-tricity to appliances as well as other devices and communication equipment in order to stay operational. www.magesolar.com

ascent Solar debuts enerPlex™ Jumpr battery packAscent Solar Technologies Inc. has released the company’s Jumpr battery pack. The EnerPlex Jumpr is a multipurpose battery pack that gives users the capability to store solar power generated from their EnerPlex Kickr™ IV solar chargers or from a conven-tional plug in power source. The charged Jumpr can then be used to recharge or power electronic devices in virtually any setting. The Jumpr product line includes the Model 4400, rated for 4400 milliamp-hours, that can provide about 3 recharges to your smartphone. www.enerplex.biz/kickr

Powerway develops manually adjustable mounting systemPowerway has developed a low-cost, manually adjustable mounting system that provides a substantial increase in elec-trical output to improve electrical energy production per unit of land area. As there is elevation angle difference between winter and summer, the inclination of Powerway’s manually adjustable mounting has two angles, one for each of those two seasons, ensuring that the orientation of the panels to the sun is always optimum.www.pvpowerway.com

first Solar releases 92.5-watt thin-film PV moduleFirst Solar, Inc. has released its most advanced thin-film photovoltaic (PV) module, the Series 3 FS-392, which is rated at 92.5 watts. The new FS-392 module maintains all the existing IEC certifica-tions and UL listings for the Series 3 family, including UL listing for 1000-volt systems. One of the drivers of First Solar modules’ performance advantage over crystalline silicon solar modules is a lower tempera-ture coefficient, delivering higher energy yields at elevated operating temperatures typical of utility-scale power plants in sunny regions. www.firstsolar.com

arrayPower Sequenced inverter™ meets safety and grid compliance standards for solar markets in naArrayPower today announced its second generation Sequenced Inverter™ has completed and passed all certification tests required for use in solar installa-tions across the United States and Canada. ArrayPower’s Sequenced Inverter converts

the DC power produced by solar photovol-taic (PV) modules into grid-ready, three-phase AC power for use in commercial-scale PV systems. Module manufacturers integrate Sequenced Inverters into their products during the manufacturing process to reduce costs and ease system installation with a plug-and-play AC module.www.arraypower.com

idS Solar Technologies produces solar generators for distributionIDS Solar Technologies Inc. has begun production on the first commercial multi-unit order for its Solar Survivor portable electric generator. This first delivery to its distributor is expected during January. Because of its innovative storage and charge design, the Solar Survivor is the economical, sturdy, and reliable choice for portable solar energy as part of an emer-gency/disaster preparedness plan or to provide off-grid, odorless, noiseless and non-flammable power. www.IDSSolarTech.com

optimizer to boost solar panel productivitySolarlec has teamed up with global manu-facturer SolarEdge to offer customers the groundbreaking “Power Optimizer” which enables each panel to work to its maximum capacity. The Optimizer promises to make homes with solar panels up to 25 percent more energy efficient. Solarlec says this new product, which will give customers maximum value for money, cements its position at the cutting edge of solar tech-nology. The SolarEdge Power Optimizer works with any type of inverter. www.solarlec.com

new Products


EuropeAlex Klocksin+49.1577.893.4884 Skype: [email protected]

North America Sandy DaneauTel: +1 (239) 245-9264 [email protected]

South East Asia—IndiaAmitava SarkarCell: +91 9379 229397Office: +91 80 2686 0747 Skype: [email protected]

Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong Philip Lim+65 [email protected]

KoreaTel: 82-2-2273-4833Fax: [email protected]

ChinaPaul ChenOffice: +86 2154049130Mobile: +86 13611682177Skype: [email protected]

international diary26-27 February 2013PV Rollout Atlanta, Georgia, USAwww.pvrollout.com

26-28 February 2013Genera Madrid, Spainwww.ifema.es

27 February-1 March 2013PV Expo 2013 Tokyo, Japanwww.pvexpo.jp

10-12 March 20137th PV Fab Managers Forum Berlin, Germanywww.pvgroup.org

18-19 March 2013Energy StorageDüsseldorf, Germanywww.energy-storage-online.de

19-21 March 2013SolarCon China Shanghai, Chinawww.solarconchina.org

19-20 March 2013PV System Technology Forum Düsseldorf, Germanywww.solarpraxis.de

25-27 March 2013Silicon PV Hamelin, Germanywww.siliconpv.com

3-5 April 2013International Green Energy Expo Daegu, Koreawww.energyexpo.co.kr

17-18 April 2013Concentrated Solar Power EMEASeville, Spainwww.wplgroup.com

18-19 April 2013Indian Solar Summit 2013Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Indiawww.solarsummitindia.com

14-16 May 2013SNEC PV Power ExpoShanghai, Chinawww.snec.org.cn

advertising contacts


EuropeAlex Klocksin+49.1577.893.4884 Skype: [email protected]

North America Sandy DaneauTel: +1 (239) 245-9264 [email protected]

South East Asia—IndiaAmitava SarkarCell: +91 9379 229397Office: +91 80 2686 0747 Skype: [email protected]

Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong Philip Lim+65 [email protected]

KoreaTel: 82-2-2273-4833Fax: [email protected]

ChinaPaul ChenOffice: +86 2154049130Mobile: +86 13611682177Skype: [email protected]

international diary26-27 February 2013PV Rollout Atlanta, Georgia, USAwww.pvrollout.com

26-28 February 2013Genera Madrid, Spainwww.ifema.es

27 February-1 March 2013PV Expo 2013 Tokyo, Japanwww.pvexpo.jp

10-12 March 20137th PV Fab Managers Forum Berlin, Germanywww.pvgroup.org

18-19 March 2013Energy StorageDüsseldorf, Germanywww.energy-storage-online.de

19-21 March 2013SolarCon China Shanghai, Chinawww.solarconchina.org

19-20 March 2013PV System Technology Forum Düsseldorf, Germanywww.solarpraxis.de

25-27 March 2013Silicon PV Hamelin, Germanywww.siliconpv.com

3-5 April 2013International Green Energy Expo Daegu, Koreawww.energyexpo.co.kr

17-18 April 2013Concentrated Solar Power EMEASeville, Spainwww.wplgroup.com

18-19 April 2013Indian Solar Summit 2013Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Indiawww.solarsummitindia.com

14-16 May 2013SNEC PV Power ExpoShanghai, Chinawww.snec.org.cn

advertising contacts

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