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Georg Fischer Piping Systems Ltd.
8201 Schaffhausen
Switzerland
www.piping.georgfischer.com
Ralph Schreiber
Public & Media Relations Manager
Tel +41 (0) 52 631 3374
Fax +41 (0) 52 631 2830
Mobile +41 (0) 79 830 2803
ralph.schreiber@georgfischer.com
Schaffhausen, December 2008
Best in Class Photovoltaic Technology
Photovoltaic cell production is not only a rapidly growing market, but also
a key factor in the fight against global warming. GF Piping System offers
superior solutions for traditional thick film and new thin film production.
The production of electricity by means of photovoltaic cells has experienced
rocketing growth rates in recent years. Since 2002, the capacity has doubled every
two years. At the end of 2007, global photovoltaic (PV) electricity production
amounted to approx. 12 400 megawatts.
Front-runner
GF Piping Systems recognized the importance of the photovoltaic cell manufacturing
business right from the start, from the pioneering days of today's leading producers,
such as Q.Cells from Germany.
Plastic solutions for large-scale PV manufacturing plants
The total plastic solution (TPS) approach of Georg Fischer Piping Systems is ideally
suited for the global trend towards large-scale, integrated PV manufacturing plants.
We meet our customers' expectations by supplying plastic piping system solutions for
a standard basis of design in combination with worldwide set-up and specialist
resource deployment.
The high volume industrial production of silicon-based multicrystalline thick film
photovoltaic cells (c-Si) achieves efficiencies in the area of approx. 14%. Examples
of further optimization potential are commercially available. High-efficiency
monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, for example SunPower's all-back contact
cells or Sanyo's HIT cells, achieve efficiencies towards 22%.
Growing market share of thin film production
Besides the traditional (c-Si) cell manufacturing technology, the rapidly emerging thin
film cell production technology with efficiencies of approx. 8% (a-µc-Si, CIS, CdTe) is
projected to reach approx. 20% market share out of a total worldwide projected
capacity in the range of somewhere between 12-20 gigawatts in 2010.
Annual growth rates for the demand of photovoltaic cells, up to 30%, will drive this
highly interesting market for the coming years despite some concerns regarding
oversupply in the market.
The «tipping point» is projected to start around 2011-2015. This means that the
levelized cost of energy (LCoE) from photovoltaic technologies will start to equal grid
power – i.e. reaching the so-called «grid parity» – and then go lower than
conventional electricity rates. In the current market, for larger MW orders, the price
difference between crystalline and thin film modules could rise to ~$1/Wp (watt peak).
Watt peak is the DC output in Watts of a solar module as measured under an
industry-standardized light test before the solar module leaves the manufacturer's
facility. Thin film manufacturers have already been able to produce cadmium
telluride (CdTe) modules at $1.18/Wp. When production capacity reaches the 1
gigawatt scale, which is projected before 2010, the goal is to achieve a production
cost substantially below $1/Wp.
Wide range of GF Piping Systems solutions
We are successfully supplying numerous applications in traditional thick film
production, for example DI/specified-water supply in PROGEF Plus, chemical
delivery in Contain-IT Plus, SYGEF Standard, PFA, waste handling in PROGEF
Standard, PE, PVC, PVC-C and other customized solutions.
In view of the rapidly growing thin film production technology, the world's leading
manufacturers are already relying on, for example, our SYEGF/PROGEF systems for
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DI-water supply and PE/ELGEF in large diameters to convey process cooling water
for the deposition/coating equipment.
GF Piping Systems is the perfect partner to support the ambitious goals of this
industry in regard to «grid parity» by delivering reliable total plastic solutions tailored
to the needs of the photovoltaic industry and ultimately contributing to a greener
world.
Author:
Hanspeter Müller, Market segment Microelectronics, GF Piping Systems, Switzerland
Georg Fischer – Adding Quality to People`s Lives
GF Piping Systems is one of the three core businesses of the Georg Fischer Corporation and a leading supplier
of piping systems in plastic and metal with global market presence. Connecting technology, fittings, valves,
measuring devices and pipes are used for water conveyance and treatment as well as the transport of liquids and
gases for industrial purposes. GF Piping Systems provides innovative, engineered solutions for the segments
building technology, chemical process industry, cooling, life science, microelectronics, ship building, water and
gas utilities and water treatment. Sales companies in more than 25 countries and representatives in another 80
countries ensure customer support 24 hours a day. Production sites in Europe, Asia and the US are near the
customers and meet local requirements. The Georg Fischer headquarters is based since its foundation in 1802 in
Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
Key figures GF Piping Systems 2008
More than 4’700 employees worldwide (per 31 December 2008)
1224 MCHF sales
122 MCHF EBIT
Further information is available at www.piping.georgfischer.com
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