Reported By Jeanny H. Lim (swied@infothe.com)

Could you tell us some of the competitive edges that differentiate you from your competitors?

We have long-time experience in the PV industry with a high number of installed systems (more than 1,600) and expertise along the entire value chain. Specialized technical know-how with in-house research and development activities is our pride as well.

We also have strong partnerships with major companies such as centrotherm, Monocrystal, Semilab and can provide direct customer support all over Asia (China, Taiwan, Korea, India, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore).

Where do you put your focus this year, in terms of both business and technology development? What is your priority this year?

In the current year, GP Solar focuses on increasing sales in Asia of our successful chemical additives to improve mono-silicon solar cell production (GP Materials). Furthermore, we emphasize R&D and sales of our stand-alone process and quality control systems for wafer, cell and module production.

We also offer upgrade kits for existing vision inspection customers to handle advanced cell concepts (like selective emitters).

Could you please tell us about your 2010 performance? And how much growth do you expect for this year?

2010 was a good year for GP Solar with significant growth and revenue of more than 25 million euros. We gained many new customers in Asia, especially in China.

We expect a constant growth of about 20% for Asian sales (which is about 80% of our total sales volume).

What does your growth strategy look like?

We expect to grow together with leading PV companies. We will support the PV industry with advanced inspection systems and materials for latest processing technology.

Recently, governments around the world, especially in Europe, have slashed subsidies for solar. What has the impact of that been so far for your company?

We have noticed a slight slowdown of running projects. However, simultaneously we experienced a growing interest in quality inspection and advanced processing for the PV production.

What is your view on technological development of solar cells and modules in the coming years?

In the coming years, I assume that there will be many different types of selective emitters available including improved module technology to overcome significant embedding losses. Additionally I expect front-side metallization with extremely narrow front grids (>75μm) as well as innovative rear-side passivation and contacting concepts.

Consequently, I expect further improved efficiencies of standard cell production.

What is your perspective on the Asian solar market this year? What are the market drivers and inhibitors, to your mind?

Due to increasing governmental support, big growth of Chinese PV projects is expected in the second half of 2011 and 2012.

Drivers

The Asian solar market shows large potential because of high solar radiation throughout the year.

Also, an increasing willingness to adopt energy efficient measures is visible because of the growing awareness of climate changes and greenhouse gas emissions.

China may double its solar power capacity goal for 2015 from 5 to 10 GW and even up to 40 GW for 2020.

Inhibitors

Government support (national policies, regulations, tax incentives) is an important factor for realizing China’s PV goals, but hard to predict.

Installation costs are crucial for low income households.

China’s massive energy needs are mainly satisfied with nuclear power and there are plans to raise nuclear power up to 80 GW until 2010 (from now 11 GW).

China, a global solar manufacturing hub, has great potential to become one of the world’s largest solar markets. Do you think that’s true? Then, how can a foreign solar company be successful in the Chinese solar market?

Yes, China has great potential, but for module production, we, in the future, believe more in a regional trend. If the Chinese government proceeds with challenging installation aims of 5 to 10 GW in 2015, China can become one of the world’s largest solar markets very soon.

A foreign solar company can be successful when supplying new technology for installation of large-scale projects, production equipment and inverters.

How the recent quake and nuclear crisis in Japan will change the dynamics of the solar market in the coming year, do you think?

A trend towards renewable energy is already visible. A switch from nuclear to solar/wind investments of worldwide governments is very likely.

Jeanny H. Lim is Editor-in-Chief of InterPV. Send your comments to swied@infothe.com.