Interview
information technology and business over the next five years, due in part to its In view of the considerable fall in the
process solutions. versatility and its potential to reduce costs silicon prices globally, don’t you think
significantly. TFPV is losing its price advantage too
Moser Baer Photovoltaic Ltd. is now The solar applications in rural areas early? When do you think the impact
the world’s first manufacturer to will also see tremendous growth potential of innovative approaches in the TFPV
implement Applied Materials SunFab as solar lamps provide an alternative to landscape be felt, possibly organic PV
thin film line for the mass-production kerosene. and dye sensitive cells?
of solar modules. Would you like to tell We also foresee more installations of
us how you acquired your first SunFab solar PV for small, medium and large off According to Nanomarkets, The thin-
customer in India? grid applications. At Applied Materials we film photovoltaic (TFPV) market will
are striving towards all PV technologies so produce the equivalent of 26 gigawatts
India holds tremendous potential as a as to make India’s solar dream come true. (GW) by 2015 and will generate well over
center for solar panel production and as $20 billion in revenues in that same time
a large end market for PV electric power. Amorphous silicon has always been frame.
India’s manufacturing capability is based hampered in the market place by its The fact that thin-film technology is
on a strong technical community which is low efficiency; still it is the dominant going down the cost curve only signifies
reflected by Moser Baer. The company has thin film PV (TFPV) technology used gaining manufacturing excellence.
a long history of success, having developed today. What are your views on other Amorphous silicon based photovoltaic
cutting edge technologies to become the competing technologies like CIGS and is slated to dominate the TFPV space for
world’s second largest manufacturer of CdTe? several years to come with $1.3 billion in
optical storage media formats like blu- revenues this year that will grow to $4.1
ray discs and HD DVD. Like Applied, Amorphous silicon is dominant in the billion in the year 2014.
the company has transformed itself market due to its maturity. This is an TF modules especially Applied’s
into a multi-technology organization, advantage for companies who want to 5.7m2 module have an advantage
with products for solar energy, home enter the thin-film PV business have over cSi modules in that they are not
entertainment and IT peripherals and manufacturing equipment and materials space constrained. Unlike cSi modules,
consumer electronics. are readily available in the market. TF modules are ideal for residential,
According to a report released by commercial and utility scale applications.
How do you see solar market trends Nanomarkets, cadmium telluride (CdTe)
over the next few years in India? will be the single largest segment of How is Applied Materials planning to
the TFPV market by 2015. CdTe has maintain its position as the leader in
Although India ranks sixth in the world many advantages such as a high optical developing advanced technologies?
in terms of power generation with an absorption coefficient and a band gap
installed capacity of 147,000 MW, it still that has been described as close to perfect Applied Materials with its leadership in
faces a shortage of power. Solar PV is a for PV. Also, many of the environmental chip equipment will apply its engineering
proven technology to address this shortage. concerns that have been associated with expertise to the solar industry. Reducing
The solar industry stands to create an CdTe in the past seem to be dissipating. the cost per watt for thin film module
entire ecosystem which will create demand However CdTe still remains only about manufacturing will make a significant
for solar cells, modules and systems and 10.7% efficient. impact on cost for solar energy
serve as an economic engine as well as a On the other hand, CIGS is cost development.
solution to our energy concerns. Applied effective and it promises to combine all Applied Materials is dedicated to
predicts that there is a huge potential the advantages of thin film with higher reduce the cost by relying on the benefits
for India to take the lead position in conversion efficiencies approaching of its large-scale manufacturing expertise
the solar segment. The Government of those of conventional crystalline PV. The in the semiconductor segment and by
India, for instance, has recently released technology has however, outstanding employing its engineering and technical
semiconductor policy that gives incentives manufacturing challenges expertise to bring down the production
and subsidies to manufacturing units. This Since different cells have different cost.
has generated interest in manufacturing applications to say technologies such as Applied Materials’ strong emphasis on
in India. Many state governments are also CIGS or CdTe will take precedence over innovation has enabled its customers to
enable ease of investments. Amorphous silicon will be a premature reach out globally. The company was also
The solar industry in India is also comment at this stage. named as the world’s largest supplier of
seeing many new players. The growth Applied Materials will remain photovoltaic cell manufacturing equipment
through harnessing solar power in India is committed to developing products for in 2008 by VLSI Research.
leading venture capitalists to look favorably our customers based on their prevailing Foresight combined with innovative
at potential start-ups. technology needs. We recognize the technology is the strength Applied
India has a favorable technological advantages of amorphous silicon as a low Materials will rely on to emerge as a
landscape for solar power as well. Though cost material which is nontoxic and in stronger leader in all of our markets when
crystalline solar represents the largest abundant supply. In addition to the low the economic environment improves.
market share, thin film technology, cost, amorphous silicon has achieved 8%
according to Navigant Consulting, efficiency in volume production today with Dr. Atre, many thanks for talking to us today.
represented 14% of the market in 2008, a clear path towards 10% by 2010.
up from 5% in 2004. Thin film technology
will continue to experience rapid growth
www.globalsolartechnology.com
Global Solar Technology – July/August 2009 – 19
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