Applied Materials and Thin film solar cells
Two years ago, Applied Materials acquired Applied Films, successfully entered the solar cell and related equipment market, a year ago, Applied Materials introduced thin film solar cell module production line Sunfab, changed the size of thin film solar cell panels, and in October of this year, Signet Solar Applied Materials Sunfab using production line has achieved volume production. Applied Materials (China) Co., Ltd. General Manager Wang Ruiping solar business, said that in the field of photovoltaic solar energy, Applied Materials will continue to follow the established practice of the company, high goals, a large-scale forward.
Editor: Over the past two years, Applied Materials invested a lot in the PV business, covering the crystalline silicon thin-film batteries and battery equipment investment, can talk about the application of material in these two areas of current operating status, and future planning?
Dr. Wang Ruiping work at Applied Materials, a total of 14 years. 7 years ago she was in the United States, most recently in China for 7 years. Applied Materials in solar energy as a division general manager in China, she at Applied Materials China, Shanghai office as director of semiconductor technology jobs.
Wang Ruiping: In the film batteries, Applied Materials introduced in 1 year SunFab thin film solar cell module production line in the industry to establish a new standard size, will be the area of thin film solar glass substrate increases to 2.2 m X 2.6 m mainly to lower production costs and installation costs. Through our efforts, there is already a client and we have signed the final acceptance certificate, which for the Turn-key production line equipment supplier is not easy to do. As for the future planning, in order to increase productivity and reduce costs, we will continue to strive to make Sunfab more efficient production lines, 1 U.S. dollar per watt below target. In crystalline silicon, we have also acquired several competitive companies to increase our product range, especially in relatively high-tech products. Application materials have been acquired over the past few years, HCT, Applied Films and Baccini companies in the sales of these products, we consider how to increase product differentiation, to distinguish it from other suppliers in the crystalline silicon industry to do it their own achievements, commitment to the whole factory automation and high conversion efficiency. Continue along the established practice of Applied Materials: high goals, a large-scale forward.
Edit: In order to improve industrial competitiveness, reducing battery module manufacturing cost is very important, do you think of the product cost reductions will be mainly reflected in what areas?
Wang Ruiping: lower costs, a bit like the "chicken and egg" relationship, there is no application would not promote the development of new technologies, no new technology there is no way to reduce costs and expand more applications. Many cases, is not high and the low cost, but there with no problems. In the peak, the solar power grid does have a very small difference between the phases. From this perspective, the cost of solar power is not very far away from the traditional use of electricity. In the past 30 years, reduce the cost of semiconductor 2,000 times in the past 10 years in reducing the cost of flat panel display 20 times, and reduced by 5 times as long as the solar PV, with the current thermal power, hydroelectric power, compared absolute cost competitive advantage. Although in most cases the cost of solar power quite far away from grid parity, but as a supplement peak power now exists, does not need to lower prices. China's large population, energy demand is big country, if not soon, then stimulate domestic demand clean energy, it is difficult to solve China's energy and environmental issues. Now there are two relatively small photovoltaic projects supported by the State, but I think the support is not enough. We hope to see a more active policy to support small-scale solar power generation application development to the GW-level large-scale power plants. PV scale itself is a need for continuous learning and improvement process, the state should support the PV industry in the whole industry chain has chosen to focus on support.
Editor: How to deal with small and medium enterprises to re-shuffle in 2009?
Wang Ruiping: I think the small and medium enterprises to enter the industry will become increasingly difficult because the industry is in rapid development to larger scale stage, large-scale industry will be realized in the near future. SMEs need to survive according to their own advantage to avoid weaknesses. Economic recession and the downturn in the next year not only for the solar photovoltaic business, for all the world's enterprises are particularly challenging year. PV industry in China is too dependent on external demand, the financial crisis on the domestic impact of large solar energy companies. The emergence of the economic crisis companies with limited cash flow is a huge challenge, good cash flow for the company, but it is a good opportunity for development. Important that the strategy of each company, with limited funds to do the most important thing. I think no matter what the economic situation is, as long as to effectively stimulate the market demand there will be way out.
Editor: PV equipment industry made in the past few years has been some development, your Chinese domestic equipment suggestions on how internationalization?
Wang Ruiping: I think the country is still very competitive these companies, the technical content, quality, although still to be improved, but the relatively low cost price, in China's environment, which is the largest competitive. This is the place to learn of large international companies, Applied Materials will combine the technological advantages of our cost advantage of China quickly into the idea of being product development. In a competitive process, whether international or domestic business enterprises are facing the same challenges, but points from different angles. I think this is each other, mutual learning process, who learn quickly, one who will do better.
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