A visionary figure in the solar/PV sector, Jochen Schneider is one of our industry’s most recognisable ambassadors. We headed to Germany to catch up with the CEO of Schmid Silicon Technology and ask him a handful of questions about his background, the current state of the solar energy arena and his future ambitions.
PES: Welcome to PES magazine, can you firstly explain a little about your role, and how it relates to the solar/PV industry?
Jochen Schneider: I´m in charge of the Schmid Silicon Technology Group of companies, which consists next to the Schmid Silicon Technology Holding of the Schmid Silicon Technology (“SST”), of Schmid Polysilicon Production (“SPP”) and of Schmid Silicon Ukraine (“SSU”).
SST is a technology and engineering company specialised on the development, design, construction, start up and maintenance of turnkey facilities, engineering services and components for the polysilicon and monosilane production, like Hydrochlorination, Disproportionation (Anm. d. Red. TCS to MS) and monosilane CVD reactors.
The SPP is a production size facility in Saxony/Germany for the manufacturing of monosilane and polysilicon, as well as the process and equipment development platform and client training centre for SST. SSU is providing support and services for operation management.
PES: How did you first become involved in the industry?
Jochen Schneider: In 2010 during a consulting project I´ve met Christian Schmid, the owner of the Schmid Silicon Technology Group and president of the private owned Schmid Group, a 148 years old, successful company and the equipment manufacturer for the PV and electronic industry. He found that my many years (16) of international and senior management experience at a global chemical company would be a great asset to SST and I was fascinated by the company culture and the overwhelming potential of the Schmid Silicon technology, so …
