Apr 6 2009
Over 150 industry executives have already confirmed their participation for Thin Film Today's forthcoming Thin Film Solar Summit Europe, scheduled to take place in Berlin next month.
The two-day conference, scheduled to take place on May 19-20, has already received confirmation from the best in the business in the wake of growing interest and strategic alliances signed in Europe.
One of the highlights of the conference is going to be the assessment of market segmentation for thin film PV in Europe.
According to Daniela Schreiber, Head of Research Operations, EuPD Research, who is scheduled to speak during the conference, flexible substrates in the segment of commercial rooftop and building integrated PV may increase. Both technologies are considered to be increasing market segments in Europe.
"C-Si and CIS/ CIGS are the technologies with the highest efficiency. But on the other hand they have a high temperature coefficient. That means that energy yield decreases by rising temperatures. In countries with comparatively temperatures like Germany, the focus is on technologies like that. Technologies like a-Si or CdTe with a low temperature co-efficient are profitable in countries with a high temperature just like in Australia, India or Mexico as the lower efficiency may be outpaced by the temperature coefficient. The future for technologies like this is in such countries," said Daniela.
A company like Phoenix Solar, which has seen its thin-film product mix growing to 57.2% in 2008 and going forward the thin-film product mix is further expected to increase to approximately 60% in 2009, is bullish about the sector.
"In general, the environment is still very positive for PV and some of the latest activities and new credit support programmes such as from KFW in Germany will certainly help the industry to overcome the lending issues," said Manfred Bächler, CTO, Phoenix Solar, who is scheduled to be a part of the inaugural session.
Other than EuPD Research and Phoenix Solar, the line-up also includes experienced professionals from First Solar GmbH, SCHOTT Solar, HelioSphera, Signet Solar and Nanosolar.