Glass industry under obligation

Cell and module manufacturers can only survive the highly competitive photovoltaic market if they rapidly reduce their costs. In particular, this must be carried out with higher levels of efficiency. Improved solar glass can significantly increase the efficiency. However, the glass manufacturers would have to invest in innovative processes in order to do this.
Glass industry under obligation - Read complete article

Solar Industry is building on high efficiency

The photovoltaic industry wants to overcome the crisis using more effective modules and falling prices. Mechanical engineers are laying the cornerstone with new lines for high-performance cells.
Solar Industry is building on high efficiency - Read complete article

Upturn for Solar Heat

The German Solar Industry Association (BSW) believes that strong growth is ahead of the solar thermal energy industry in its new “Solar Heat Roadmap”. Innovation should boost demand substantially. Glass manufacturers, who supply the collector manufacturers, would also benefit from this.
Upturn for Solar Heat - Read complete article

Positive outlook for BIPV

The building-integrated photovoltaics have only been a niche application to date. However, thanks to falling prices, higher efficiencies and better aesthetic qualities of the systems, interest from architects and construction companies is growing. Suppliers are bringing innovations into play.
Positive outlook for BIPV - Read complete article

Thin-film comeback planned

Once celebrated as the solar technology of the next generation, thin-film photovoltaics are now in crisis. Factories are closing because the slim-line electricity generators have lost their cost advantage against silicon cells. But better production lines and new concepts are allowing an upturn of the once bearer of hope to be anticipated.
Thin-film comeback planned - Read complete article

High efficiency for the trend reversal

The solar mechanical engineers have two problems: First of all, over capacities have put the brakes on the willingness to invest of their main customers in Asia. Secondly, some manufacturers in the Far East are now building their own production lines. The suppliers are therefore now reacting with the next technological step. They need to highlight investments for cells with over 20 per cent efficiency.
High efficiency for the trend reversal - Read complete article

Government begins battery offensive

Photo: DLR

There is no lack of perspective for photovoltaics in Germany. In order to tare fluctuating volumes of green energy better in the future, the Federal Government is promoting the development of energy storage.
Government begins battery offensive - Read complete article

Mechanical engineers are conquering the storage market

Equipment suppliers are circumnavigating the solar crisis by offering production lines to battery manufacturers as well. The battery industry could be very lucrative: The industry is currently building up major production capacities for electromobility as well as for the energy turnaround in Germany.
Mechanical engineers are conquering the storage market - Read complete article

Online application for solarpeq 2012

In simple and easy to follow steps we will guide you through the application procedure - your application will be sent directly to Messe Düsseldorf.
Online application for solarpeq 2012 - Click here to apply for solarpeq 2012

Solar research at a crossroads

The crisis in the photovoltaic industry is endangering the leading position of German solar scientists. However, there are some good chances to successfully continue this tandem of innovation. Germany’s laboratories are full of innovations which could help the industry gain a new competitive strength. Targeted policies could make investments in advancement easier.
Solar research at a crossroads - Read complete article

A job with a bright outlook

The current solar crisis is forcing companies to cut jobs. Yet producers, the trade and the solar engineering sector will need large numbers of qualified employees to cope with the future growth of photovoltaic technology. Universities are already expanding their range of courses.
A job with a bright outlook - Read complete article

Systems manufacturers remain optimistic

Systems manufacturers remain optimistic

Due to drastic surplus capacity, manufacturers of solar cells and modules are barely investing in new production equipment – something which is having a visible impact on the business of solar systems manufacturers. Nevertheless, companies are expecting an upturn in the market in the medium term. Until then, they are looking to other areas for support.
Systems manufacturers remain optimistic - Read complete article

Turning solar power into green gas

Where does electricity come from when renewable energies cannot deliver during calm spells and in the hours of darkness? Storage media are essential for the overhaul of energy policy. The conversion of green power into storable methane is one of the most promising options.
Turning solar power into green gas - Read complete article

The advance of solar concentrators

Solar modules which trap light are an upcoming alternative to conventional photovoltaic technology. By means of this system, the American firm Semprius has been able to convert one third of their sunlight into electricity for the first time. For solar mechanical engineers, this promising technology of the future could potentially be a new pillar in the industry.
The advance of solar concentrators - Read complete article

Solar industry goes on strike

The photovoltaic industry protests vehemently against the planned solar subsidy cuts. Companies and researchers are seeing Germany’s technological edge disappear before their very eyes and fear that, as a result of these cuts, many companies will declare bankruptcy and thousands of jobs will be lost.
Solar industry goes on strike - Read complete article

Solar power from the desert

Solar power from the desert

Solar thermal plants generating thousands of megawatts are to be built in the Middle East and North Africa. In the United Arab Emirates, the world’s first desert solar thermal energy plant is currently under construction. German glass specialists and mechanical engineers are providing the key components.
Solar power from the desert - Read complete article

New accumulators for the energy turnaround

New accumulators for the energy turnaround

In order to replace conventional power plants, renewable energy must be stored. The German federal government is therefore investing heavily in research. Various solutions are feasible, but what technology will be used is not yet apparent.
New accumulators for the energy turnaround - Read complete article

Costs fall faster than expected

Solar modules are becoming rapidly cheaper due to the enormous competitive pressure on the market. Now, prices of the other solar plant components are also set to fall. It appears that the photovoltaic sector may reach its cost objectives considerably faster than anticipated.
Costs fall faster than expected - Read complete article

Mechanical engineers under pressure

The falling demand for solar modules and emerging equipment manufacturers in Asia is making life difficult for German photovoltaic suppliers nowadays. In order to confidently maintain their leading position in this market, they want to collaborate more closely with solar cell manufacturers. Nevertheless, they seem reluctant.
Mechanical engineers under pressure - Read complete article

Discover the World of Solar Production

More Light for Solar Cells

The slackness in sales in the photovoltaic industry does not only have a dark side: In the battle for customers, the manufacturers are focusing more intensively on innovations. The greatest advancements have been in the classic silicon cell style: New crystalline technology absorbs more of the sun’s rays and provides a higher performance.
More Light for Solar Cells - Read complete article

Module Recycling to Become Obligatory

Because solar companies could not agree on a concept for voluntary module recycling, the EU is now slapping them with the dreaded WEEE waste regulation. It obligates them to keep high levels of reserves for the collection and recycling of panels and is connected with major administrative cost.
Module Recycling to Become Obligatory - Read complete article

Photovoltaics for Solar Heat?

Because modules are rapidly becoming cheaper, large open-air photovoltaic systems are set to be built in the earth’s sunbelt instead of solar thermal power plants. This would be problematic for the global energy turnaround. This is because, in comparison to photovoltaics, solar heat provides base load electricity, which is essential for safe power supply.
Photovoltaics for Solar Heat? - Read complete article

Photovoltaics Drives Industry

Photo: Bosch

From small technical nuclei, such as Berlin and Erfurt, strong manufacturer and supplier clusters have developed in Germany. They bring jobs to their regions and enrich the global solar industry with their innovations.
Photovoltaics Drives Industry - Read complete article

Solar Companies Increase the Speed of Innovations

Foto: Q-Cells

Subsidy cut-backs are slowing down the development of photovoltaics and forcing manufacturers to seek cost-cutting new developments. Increases in efficiency are being focussed on here. To do this, companies are improving the quality of their semiconductors, changing the architecture of their cells and using state-of-the-art production technology.

Solar Companies Increase the Speed of Innovations - Read complete article

Solar markets are shifting

You would think that, after the nuclear disaster in Japan, there would be a global rush for solar modules. However, reductions in subsidies in many countries in Europe are putting the brakes on the photovoltaic industry. Experts are initially only expecting large growth in Asia and the USA. But it will be difficult for European manufacturers to gain a foothold there.

Solar markets are shifting - Read complete article

Lull on Space

Major photovoltaic (PV) projects will only be carried out with difficulty in Germany in 2011. Solar energy subsidies are sinking drastically; outdoor installations in fields have not even received commission since the summer. For this reason, project developers are pushing to move onto large-scale rooftops and abroad with their power plants.
Lull on Space - Read complete article

Solar Industry in Catch-22 Situation

The German solar industry fears that the government is going to slap a subsidy cap on it, due to its rapid growth. It now wants to show ways to reach a competitive capacity for photovoltaics as quickly as possible with the help of a roadmap.
Solar Industry in Catch-22 Situation - Read complete article

Dispute among the Renewables

There is no love lost between the solar and wind industries any more. The undamped photovoltaic development in Germany is driving the subsidy costs to be paid by the consumer in 2011 to unforeseen heights. Wind energy, the cheapest renewable source, is afraid of unjustified criticism – and threatening to pull out of the Renewable Coalition.
Dispute among the Renewables - Read complete article

Solidarity with Photovoltaics

The glass and solar industries agree to work more intensively together at the solarpeq/glasstec.

The glass and solar industries could benefit heavily from one another. However, they have not quite managed to get together up to now. solarpeq, the new sister exhibition to glasstec, is now paving the way for closer cooperation and synergies.
Solidarity with Photovoltaics - Read complete article

Spirit of Optimism at solarpeq/glasstec 2010

After difficult economic times a spirit of optimism is now once again prevailing in the glass sector. This was made clear by the 1,274 exhibitors to glasstec, the world’s most important glass trade fair, and solarpeq, the new trade fair for solar production technology. A total of roughly 45,000 trade visitors attended the closely dovetailed events. Of these over one third also stated interest in the range at solarpeq.
Spirit of Optimism at solarpeq/glasstec 2010 - Read complete press release
Spirit of Optimism at solarpeq/glasstec 2010 - Exhibitors' Opinions

Complete halls filled with glass panes, glass and solar technology and more than 45,000 visitors - this is the simple summary of the fairs glasstec and solarpeq, which attracted visitors from all over the world to come to Düsseldorf over the past four days. The economy has recovered quite well in the glass and solar industries.

- Visit our channel at Youtube.com/solarpeq

ABB has come to solarpeq 2010 with a lot of exhibits. Carsten Busch and Fred Kruse are Heads of different areas in this company and talk about robotic knowledge for both the glass industry as well as the solar industry.

- More at Youtube.com/Solarpeq

Machines and the solarpeq 2010

The solar industry requires a lot of machines - to be seen at solarpeq 2010.

Steffen Günther, Sales manager Solar at Reis Robotics, speaks about innovations brought to glasstec 2010 as well as testing procedures the company undertakes before and after the lamination of glass.

- More at Youtube.com/Solarpeq

Interview with Hans Werner Reinhard, Deputy Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf.

Solar Glass is Becoming Cheaper

Up to now, glass production, glass refinement and the manufacture of solar modules have been developed separately to one another. Long transportation channels and lots of glass breakages have driven up costs. Integrated factories, in which panes and modules are produced under one roof, should save logistical costs in the future - thus contributing to making photovoltaics more competitive.


Solar Glass is Becoming Cheaper - Solar Glass is Becoming Cheaper

Too Little Money for Innovations

International competition is threatening to leave German photovoltaics manufacturers in the dust. Speedy cost reduction in the production of solar cells could ward off the looming second-class status. But in these times of tough price wars companies are left with few resources for research and development.
Too Little Money for Innovations - Read complete article

The Excecutive Director of Messe Düsseldorf Hans Werner Reinhard who is in charge of solarpeq 2010 about the preparations of the trade fair.

Heiko Stutzinger, account manager of solarpeq, on the scientific conference and which target groups are expected in Düsseldorf.

Order tickets & catalogues online

Order tickets at reduced pre-sale prices. All you have to do is to register as glasstec trade visitor. Tickets and catalogues at the cashdesks on the fairground are sold at regular prices.
Order tickets & catalogues online - Click here to order tickets & catalogues

Photovoltaics are Becoming More Versatile

The global demand for modules is rapidly increasing. However, the photovoltaic industry is growing even more quickly. In the battle for customers, companies are getting creative: They are developing more efficient cells, expanding their range of panels and optimising their systems. It is becoming more colourful on the rooftops.
Photovoltaics are Becoming More Versatile - Read complete article

Thin Panels Having Problems

Thin-film is coming under pressure: In particular, the belief is that modules made from thin-film silicon can be manufactured much more cost-effectively than thick crystalline ones. However, the technology is trailing far behind its efficiency and cost objectives. By contrast, innovations are developing more quickly than thought in terms of crystalline innovations.
Thin Panels Having Problems - Read complete article

Incalculable Solar Giant

(Foto: aleo solar)

The German photovoltaics market booms against expectations.
Despite the credit crunch and funding reductions, the development of photovoltaics more than doubled in Germany in 2009, with 3800 megawatts. Analysts anticipate another doubling in 2010 – despite decreasing commission.
Incalculable Solar Giant - Read complete article

Light Collector in Nanoformat

Photovoltaics are still unable to compete with conventional energy sources. Solar cells, on which isolated molecules generate energy on cost-effective thermoplastic foil, could considerably reduce production costs. The technology should soon be on the market.
Light Collector in Nanoformat - Read complete article

“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