Technology Status - NET Nowak Energie & Technologie AG

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PV manufacturers have developed diverse strategies for competing in global
markets. Some of these methods include:
● Locating near end-use markets: Manufacturers benefit from feedback by
end-users on product design. Distance from end-use markets can be
partly compensated by making technically trained marketing
representatives available.
● Starting local and small: Reduced transportation costs and more direct
feedback. Small plants can be expanded as demand increases.
● Starting big: Large plants achieve economies of volume and scale that
reduce production costs. This technique has also led to financial
problems when companies try to expand too quickly, particularly into
new technology manufacturing.
● Separating cell and module production: PV cell manufacturing requires
expertise and infrastructure. Because assembly of cells into modules does
not require the same level of expertise, manufacturers often ship cells for
assembly to countries with end-use markets.
● Establishing in-country corporate presence: Manufacturers located incountry
obtain preferential treatment, such as exemptions from certain
taxes. Additionally, some countries, such as Germany, provide
investment incentives for building plants.
The manufacturers can be subdivided into two broad categories: those that
purchase ready-made cells and assemble them into modules, and verticallyintegrated
manufacturers who manufacture their own cells and modules.
Amorphous silicon manufacturers normally have vertically-integrated
production lines, as the cell and module are usually assembled in the same
process.
The manufacture of balance of system components such as inverters,
batteries and battery charge controllers, and array support structures
constitutes a large industry. In the absence of an international standard for
grid connection, inverters are largely selected on the basis of compliance
with connection requirements in a particular country.
A number of countries with little or no module manufacturing capacity are
active in other areas of the industry. For example, Isovolta/Werndorf of
Austria produces and exports approximately 50% of world demand for tedlar
used in PV modules. Crystalox of the UK and ScanWafer of Norway are major
exporters of multi-crystalline silicon ingots and wafers. Automation Tooling
Systems of Canada has developed and marketed automated PV cells and
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