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.
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Silicone A-Plenty

Silicon producers want to double their production by 2010. Although the demand for the raw material is growing rapidly, it is unlikely to be able to keep pace with the planned expansion speed. It will be tricky especially for newcomers: They will only be able to keep pace with the established giants if they rapidly reduce their production costs.
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Companies Want to Save the Sun - The photovoltaics industry and battery manufacturers are developing batteries for solar energy.

Using solar energy from your own roof – with the planned increase of bonuses for using your own energy, this is becoming more and more attractive for consumers. The industry is getting wind of a new mass market: The battery for the cellar. However, storage is still too expensive.
Companies Want to Save the Sun - The photovoltaics industry and battery manufacturers are developing batteries for solar energy. - Read complete article

New Life for Old Modules

Modules not only produce clean energy, they are also being taken back by the manufacturers at the end of their life to recycle their components. The voluntary take-back system in the solar industry, PV Cycle, is considered an important milestone on the way to a really green industry. However, problems are threatening the realisation of this scheme.
New Life for Old Modules - Read complete article

Europeans on a Course for Innovation

In 2009, it was primarily Chinese photovoltaic producers who provided the excitement: They came up with more efficient technology, massively reduced their costs, thus capturing shares in the market. Europe’s solar industry is now catching up: Many very promising techniques should soon be ready for series production.
Europeans on a Course for Innovation - Europeans on a Course for Innovation

More CIS for Solar Performance

Up to now, CIS thin-film modules have played virtually no role in photovoltaics. However, now, the solar industry wants to boost the great potential of the technology, investing in better and higher-volume production. German manufacturers are leading the way.
More CIS for Solar Performance - More CIS for Solar Performance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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: 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

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