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Introduction to solarpeq 2010
Themes in Focus
Röttgen gets out his red pencil
(Photo: BEE)
The photovoltaic boom in Germany could soon be at an end. In April, the subsidies for solar energy are due to face a one-off cut of 15 to 25 percent. The manufacturers are aghast – are warning of a wave of bankruptcies, and threatening to turn their backs on Germany in favour of other more welcoming markets for their technologies. The suppliers, on the other hand, still see further positive growth opportunities.
Röttgen gets out his red pencil - Read more
Themes in Focus
Cell Surface in Focus
(Photo: Suntech)
The light-facing surface of solar cells still offers much potential for optimisation. For instance, this is the location of the emitter layer, which collects electrons and guides them to the cell contacts. Until now, this area of the silicon crystal has been useless for energy production. However, now the industry is finding ways in which to enhance it in terms of photovoltaics.
Cell Surface in Focus - Read more
Themes in Focus
Laser for More Capacity - New manufacturing techniques increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Silicon wafers are still predominantly mechanically processed into cells. As a result, precise and rapid processing of thin wafers is not possible. Now, lasers should bring more precision and speed into solar production. Researchers and engineers are working intently on new processes.
Laser for More Capacity - New manufacturing techniques increase efficiency and reduce costs. - Laser for More Capacity
Themes in Focus
Printed Light Collectors - Nanostructured solar cells promise lower costs.
(Source: Nanosolar)
Photovoltaics still are not able to compete with conventional energy sources. Solar cells in which energy is generated by nanoparticles printed on aluminium foil should considerably reduce the production costs. The technology is now entering the market.
Printed Light Collectors - Nanostructured solar cells promise lower costs. - Printed Light Collectors
Themes in Focus
Chinese Conquer the Solar Market
(Hamburg Marketing)
Among local solar producers, worries are growing: The new Federal government wants to reduce the compensation paid for electricity fed into the grid. In addition, Chinese competition is becoming increasingly stronger and is producing good quality more cost-effectively. On the other hand, machinery and plant manufacturers are benefiting from the Far Eastern solar boom: Their technology is greatly in demand in China.
Chinese Conquer the Solar Market - Chinese Conquer the Solar Market
Themes in Focus
Energy from a Thousand Suns
Since the desert energy initiative Desertec, solar heat has been the word on everyone’s lips: in the Sahara, power stations are intended to convert an enormous degree of solar heat into power for millions of Europeans. However, while Desertec has only been a bold vision up to now, the solar strongmen are already booming in Spain and the USA. Technology and expertise come predominantly from Germany.
Energy from a Thousand Suns - Energy from a Thousand Suns
Themes in Focus
Researchers Olympus of Germany
(Photo: HZB)
While the German photovoltaic manufacturers worry about their leading role due to increasing competition from China and the USA, local research into solar power is in the fast track: Innovations develop rapidly, efficiency records fall constantly. Even renowned USA science can no longer keep up.
Researchers Olympus of Germany - Researchers Olympus of Germany
Themes in Focus
Energy from the Print Shop
(Source: BASF)
Nano solar cells could make photovoltaics unrivalled in price. They manage without expensive semiconductors and can be produced like newspapers in a roll-to-roll procedure: Dye and organic solar cells should provide cost-effective solar energy in a few years on a grand scale. However, there are some obstacles.
Energy from the Print Shop - Energy from the Print Shop
Light-concentrating Solar Modules
(Source: Solaria)
After silicon and thin-film modules, a third solar technology is now entering the market: Systems, which initially intensify the sunlight and then use the concentrated power to produce energy. Various concentrator concepts are competing for a place in the sun; the one from American company Solaria is considered to be one of the most promising.
Light-concentrating Solar Modules - Light-concentrating Solar Modules
Themes in Focus
More Absorbers for Higher Capacity
Higher efficiencies and lower costs are the objective of the solar industry. Standard cells convert a maximum of approximately just 20 percent of sunlight into energy. Now, engineers have found a way to considerably increase the efficiency: By stacking several semi-conductors on top of one another.
More Absorbers for Higher Capacity - More Absorbers for Higher Capacity
Themes in Focus
Electricity Suppliers Discover the Sun
Produce clean energy with solar power stations – until now this was too uneconomical for traditional energy suppliers. However, the crisis-related decline of module prices is causing them to re-think the matter: They are investing in large solar parks, thus refreshing their portfolios.
Electricity Suppliers Discover the Sun - Electricity Suppliers Discover the Sun
Themes in Focus
Green Light for the Gigafab
Solar factories as big as car plants – what was still just a bold vision a few years ago, could soon become reality: Experts believe that photovoltaics could develop into one of the most important energy sources. Giant production lines will therefore be needed to be able to cover the module demand. The suppliers are setting up for giga-demand.
Green Light for the Gigafab - Green Light for the Gigafab
Themes in Focus
New Silicon Cells Provide More Energy
The decrease in sales in the photovoltaic sector has also been beneficial: The solar industry is focusing increasingly on innovations. There are major advances in classic silicon solar cells: New crystalline techniques absorb more light and have more power.
New Silicon Cells Provide More Energy - New Silicon Cells Provide More Energy
Themes in Focus
Enough Glass for Scores of Gigawatts
Photo: Schott
In spite of the crisis, the photovoltaic industry is increasing production and therefore requires solar glass en masse—manufacturers are keeping up with the expansion tempo.
Enough Glass for Scores of Gigawatts - Enough Glass for Scores of Gigawatts
Themes in Focus
Race for the Best Thin Film
Except for the cadmium telluride technology of the American company First Solar, thin film modules have only been niche products up to now. However, experts are forecasting a boom in the slim-line power generators: Innovations are developing quickly; companies are investing heavily in new manufacturing capacities. The race for the most successful concept has begun.
Race for the Best Thin Film - Race for the Best Thin Film
Themes in Focus
The Sun is Rising for Machinery & Plant Manufacturers
Photovoltaics are closing in on their competitive ability with huge steps. On an annual basis, the manufacturing costs for solar modules are declining by about ten percent. The factory outfitters have a definitive interest in this. They supply innovative automation solutions and special machinery for all levels of production in the solar value added chain. And they are pushing on with an upgrade in capacity with their turnkey lines.
The Sun is Rising for Machinery & Plant Manufacturers - The Sun is Rising for Machinery & Plant Manufacturers
Themes in Focus
The Light is in Sight again
(Source: First Solar)
The drop in demand and excess production are causing the prices for solar modules to sink rapidly. The consumer is happy with this development. However, it is causing companies severe hardship: Profits are melting away, bankruptcy is threatening. But experts are expecting the next boom as early as 2010; especially because the USA market is finally opening up.
The Light is in Sight again - The Light is in Sight again
solarpeq: International Trade Fair for Solar Production Equipment
solarpeq: A new Trade Fair in the Solar Industry
solarpeq is the new top event for the solar sector. The Trade Fair for Solar Production Equipment is held concurrently with the world’s leading fair glasstec and provides an international forum for all those interested in selling or buying machinery for producing and processing silicon, wafers, solar cells and modules.
solarpeq: A new Trade Fair in the Solar Industry - solarpeq: more Sun in Düsseldorf
Themes in Focus
Innovative technology makes solar power cheaper
German glass machine manufacturers are announcing that the use of innovative manufacturing technology and the world’s first laminate-free, thin-film solar module will make electricity produced by photo-voltaic systems much more competitive.
Innovative technology makes solar power cheaper - Innovative technology makes solar power cheaper
“FairFairs Hotel” service initiative commended Messe Düsseldorf wins UFI Operations Award 2008
On 1 October in Cologne, the delegates of the Operations Focus Meeting initiated by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) voted on trade fair companies’ best solutions and projects designed to enhance travel management and hotel conditions at trade fair locations, and thereby benefit exhibitors.
The UFI award is presented on a different theme each year. In addition to Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, the other finalists were Amsterdam RAI and Messe Frankfurt GmbH. With nearly 62 percent of the votes, the Düsseldorf-based trade fair organiser’s FairFairs Hotel initiative was the clear winner.
“FairFairs Hotel” service initiative commended Messe Düsseldorf wins UFI Operations Award 2008 - More about the UFI Operations Award 2008
Messe DüsseldorfMore informations and functions
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mobile.solarpeq.de
Our mobile solarpeq information system: optimized for mobile phones and smartphone. All the information at a glance for the preparation of the solarpeq visit.
Solar at glasstec
Glass is the connecting element or common denominator, which is currently the focus of attention not only for the solar energy industry. Glass equally connects the cell, module and primary product manufacturers, mechanical engineers and system integrators in the solar industry.
glasstec Exhibitor Information
The exhibitor information brochure as ePaper. Contains all you need to know about glasstec 2010.
Solar Integration
From 28 September until 01 October 2010, machines and plants for solar production will be on show in the Düsseldorf trade fair halls. At the conference, which takes place in the same location, current themes and questions concerning the topic of solar technologies will be treated scientifically and practically.
Exhibitor Information
The exhibitor information brochure and the exhibitor check in as ePaper. Contains all you need to know about solarpeq 2010.
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Seminar in Tokyo
On July 22, 2009 Messe Düsseldorf GmbH and Messe Düsseldorf Japan, Ltd. co-organized an international seminar on „Solartechnology in Japan and Germany“ in Tokyo.
