Photon Expo: German Photovoltaic Industry Remains Optimistic

Berlin (ots) - Germany's photovoltaic (PV) industry is emerging as
a success story despite the economically trying times. Start-ups and
established solar companies alike will be showcasing their successes
at this year's Photovoltaic Technology Show 2009 Europe in Munich,
Germany from March 4 - 6. Germany is an appropriate setting, as the
country remains the global leader in PV and has seen an increase in
investments across the entire industry.

The PV industry's positive signs for continued growth come
primarily as a result of research breakthroughs, increasing demand,
continued government investment in the sector, and comprehensive
business incentives for investors. Recent estimates put Germany's PV
power output at 5.3 Gigawatt-peak (GWp) of cumulated power and 1,500
Megawatt-peak (MWp) of newly installed PV power. The latest progress
in this sector has been seen in the field of research. Most notably,
the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Freiburg,
Germany has recently set a new energy retention record. Reporting an
efficiency of 41.1 percent, these solar cells open up new
possibilities for the entire industry. At this rate, significantly
more sunlight can be converted to energy compared to standard solar
cells currently on the market.

While this important research hurdle has been cleared, investment
in R&D continues to promise further progress. The Fraunhofer
Gesellschaft has recently opened the "Center for Organic Materials
and Electronic Devices Dresden" (COMEDD) in order to develop
economically viable processes for organic semiconductor devices, such
as organic solar cells and light-emitting diodes. At the same time,
the Fraunhofer ISE inaugurated its new laboratory for silicon
material research in Freiburg, the "Silicon Materials Technology and
Evaluation Center" (SIMTEC). This institute hopes to improve silicon
crystallization and wafer technology as well as crystallizing silicon
thin film technology.

2009 and Beyond

In other market segments, a large number of companies are
investing in Germany's PV industry. Examples of recent announcements
include TÜV Rheinland Group, Alfasolar, Euroglas, Solibro, Wacker,
and Ersol (part of Bosch Group). This year alone, a number of
developments in the industry will occur: Alfasolar plans to open a
highly automated production center for crystallized silicon solar
modules this spring. In addition, Euroglas, one of Europe's largest
glass manufacturers, is investing in a solar glass manufacturing
facility in Haldensleben, Saxony-Anhalt, which is expected to
initiate production in May 2009.

Significant announcements have been made that will continue to
bolster the PV industry beyond 2009: Wacker has announced plans to
construct a new production plant for polysilicon in Nünchritz, Saxony
- a total investment of EUR 760 million. Slated to begin operations
in 2011, this plant will be supplemented by a further expansion of
the Burghausen site as well. Additionally, Ersol is expanding its
manufacturing capacity for crystalline solar cells and modules in
Arnstadt, Thuringia. By 2012 the site hopes to triple its production
capacity and double its workforce through an infusion of EUR 530
million.

Germany Trade & Invest will be in attendance to help PV companies
interested in entering or expanding in the German market. The
organization will have industry experts present at this year's
Photovoltaic Technology Show in Munich in Hall C2 B 28 in order to
showcase the opportunities available to potential investors.

Germany Trade and Invest is the foreign trade and inward
investment promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The
organization advises and supports foreign companies seeking to expand
into the German market and assists companies established in Germany
looking to enter foreign markets. All inquiries are treated
confidentially.

Originaltext: Germany Trade and Invest
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Media Contact:
Eva Henkel
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Fax: +49-30-200099-111
Email: eva.henkel@gtai.com
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