SEMI is the global industry association serving the manufacturing supply chains for the microelectronic, display and photovoltaic industries, and member companies are the engine of the future, enabling smarter, faster and more economical products that improve our lives. Here, Steve Buehler, Sr. Director, Communications, puts forward a future vision for the industry that is built upon strategic thinking and a coherent global framework.
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Despite difficult economic conditions, an expected significant decline in worldwide PV systems installations in 2009 and an inconsistent policy landscape, the PV industry continues to gain traction as the most promising alternative energy industry of the future.
And yet, on the ‘Energy Solutions’ heart monitor, renewable energy sources, including PV, barely have a pulse – at least compared to oil, nuclear and natural gas.
That makes sense, given that PV has major stumbling blocks obscuring progress. These include the cost per watt of installed systems compared to the grid, a lack of industry standards, fragmented and competing roadmaps for industry direction and goals, inconsistencies in advocacy across global regions, and insufficient industry and government collaboration to move the industry forward rapidly.
