SEMI and Intersolar to Collaborate on Photovoltaic Innovation

New Exposition will be Held in Conjunction with Intersolar 2009

BRUSSELS, Belgium–12 June 2008–SEMI, the global industry association of companies providing equipment, material and services for the manufacture of semiconductors, displays, photovoltaic cells and related products; Solar Promotion GmbH and Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik and Messe GmbH & Co. KG, organizers of Intersolar, today announced an agreement that will expand the technology and manufacturing presence at Intersolar, the world’s largest solar energy exhibition, held at the New Messe Munich in Germany on May 27-29, 2009. Under the agreement, SEMI will manage the PV manufacturing equipment and materials segment in a dedicated area and co-organize a manufacturing and technology conference and other meetings related to manufacturing and materials.

The market for photovoltaic and solar thermal and products, equipment, materials and services, is exploding worldwide with recent estimates projecting the PV market to grow from US$13 billion today to over $40 billion in 2012. As many new players enter the market, there has been an increase in the number of technical conferences and exhibitions in the solar industry. With this collaboration, SEMI and Intersolar are able to bring together the latest innovations in solar energy technologies from the entire value chain under one roof, resulting in increased efficiency and market impact. Having dedicated area will allow visitors, looking for manufacturing technologies, to focus on their needs. On the other hand the presence of all players will allow for cross-fertilization and benchmarking.

“Solar technologies are not only becoming a pervasive part of the new energy framework, but are of crucial importance to the sustainability of our environment and the global economy,” said Heinz Kundert, president of SEMI Europe. “SEMI members are at the forefront of new developments to increase the efficiency and lower the cost of these technologies, and the association has active PV initiatives in place across every major manufacturing region in the world to effectively support member needs and ensure ongoing industrial and technological advancements.”

This agreement comes as a result of a rapid expansion of solar energy markets worldwide, and the need for a comprehensive exposition, which will address all aspects of the supply chain. In addition to the European agreement, Intersolar and SEMI have partnered to bring Intersolar North America to the US through a co-location agreement with SEMICON West 2008 in July.

“Intersolar is an event of worldwide impact in an industry that is expected to more than triple in size by 2012,” said Markus Elsässer, Solar Promotions Chief Executive . “By adding the SEMI membership’s vast technological and manufacturing expertise, as well as global reach to Intersolar, the event will only become more substantial, and pave the way for an exponentially greater penetration of these technologies in our economies and daily lives.”

We are delighted that the partnership with SEMI which has begun in the context of Intersolar North America is continuing to bear fruit. This partnership is also of great importance for Intersolar Europe,” said Klaus W. Seilnacht, CEO of Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH & Co. KG.

SEMI will be co-organizing the event with Intersolar, occupying portions of the New Messe Munich. Registered visitors to Intersolar will be able to attend the exhibition part of both events without additional fees or separate badges.

Source: SEMI.org Jun. 12, 2008