Representatives of Qimonda, AMD, Applied Materials, and Signet Solar discussed Germany as a location for both high-tech investments and groundbreaking cooperation between the PV and semiconductor industries. The event was attended by 140 executives from both industries.

Qimonda, the top 3 DRAM manufacturer worldwide, operates in Dresden its largest semiconductor development center in Europe. "We are placed in Silicon Saxony - one of the most dynamic technology hot spots in the world," said Frank Prein, Senior Vice President for Technology and Managing Director of Qimonda Dresden. Qimonda's current R and D activities in Dresden cover technology development, including cell concept development, material investigation, equipment improvement and novel mask technology. "We are working on the region's excellent cooperation environment to improve our R and D results and to further follow the aggressive shrink roadmap of our industry."

Another leading semiconductor investor in Germany is AMD. The company sees its presence in Germany, and specifically in Dresden, as essential to its global market success. "With over $5 billion total investment in Dresden to date, AMD continues to utilize the excellent skill base in the region to develop and optimize next-generation microprocessor solutions. Two state-of-the-art manufacturing fabs as well as dedicated design, engineering and operating system research centers play a central role in our worldwide operations," said William Haerle, Associate General Counsel and Vice President for Worldwide Government Relations at AMD.

The strong communication and cooperation structures among equipment makers, materials suppliers and chip makers are distinctive characteristics of the semiconductor industry. These same types of relationships across the semiconductor value chain have the potential to become beneficial for the (PV) cell and module makers. They could provide the opportunity for establishing more technical standards and production improvements, leading to lower prices and stronger demand for solar power. "The synergies between these two industries are increasing, providing promising business opportunities. In this respect Germany plays a key role as the European leader in both semiconductor and PV technology," said Claus Habermeier, Senior Manager at Invest in Germany's Palo Alto office.

Dr. Winfried Hoffmann, Chief Technology Officer of the Solar Business Group for Applied Materials, confirms that the fast growth of the solar energy market in Germany creates an enormous market potential for international semiconductor firms. "Germany has the largest density of PV producers worldwide. Between 2007 and 2008 another 15 PV companies are planned with investments of about EUR1 billion in all steps of the value chain," said Dr. Hoffmann.

But the success of the PV industry is still strongly linked to the existing government support programs. Equipment manufacturers with experience in both the semiconductor and the PV industry could offer PV producers the most effective technology to become competitive under market conditions. "In the long run integrated manufacturing of thin wafers and subsequent cell and laminate making is probably the most effective route. With this technology cell efficiency gains of up to 24 percent - or even more for Si wafer technology by introducing nanomanufacturing technologies - could become a reality by 2020," according to Dr. Hoffmann.

In Germany, Applied Materials and California-based Signet Solar are demonstrating how the cooperation between these two industries can work. Signet Solar's first low cost silicon thin film PV module plant in Dresden will use Applied Material's technology. "Signet Solar combines decades of semiconductor experience from Silicon Valley and Silicon Saxony to accelerate the adoption of PV thin-film silicon technology," says Gunter Ziegenbalg, Managing Director of Signet Solar GmbH. "We are aiming for achieving grid parity with solar modules designed and built first in Saxony in the next 5 years."

Invest in Germany is the official investment promotion agency of Germany. Its mandate is to assist and advise international companies about investment opportunities in Germany. Invest in Germany provides comprehensive support from site selection to the implementation of investment decisions.

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