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

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

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