EQ in Exclusive Conversation with Mr. Thomas Frank, Global Marketing Head, Heraeus Photovoltaics
EQ Magazine: Interview with Heraeus for REI 2019
Thomas Frank
Global Marketing Head of Heraeus Photovoltaics
- Technology as a Game Changer in Solar PV Modules with emergence of 1500V, BiFacial Cells, PERC/PERT, 5-6 BusBars, Glass to Glass etc….Please comment on the technology roadmap, its cost trends, adaptability, your preference
Basically, Heraeus embraces all the new technologies and offers a broad range of silver paste products to adapt and boost every new technology.
Earlier this year, we launched SOL9661 family of silver metallization paste which has received a very good response from the market and boosted our global market share. The industry has appreciated the ultra-fine line print capability, excellent long-term printability, high open circuit voltage (Voc), reduced laydown and overall higher efficiency generated by using the SOL9661 family of pastes.
Our new solution for upcoming technologies like HJT and Top-con has found great level of appreciation from world’s leading Research Institutes and we foresee wide level of acceptance at commercial level in the next 2 years.
For module technology, we have launched Electrically Conductive Adhesive (Hecaro®) for Solar Module Manufacturing to increase the overall efficiency without affecting the cost. This product mainly applies for shingled modules.
- Whats your view on the Government of India target of 100GW Solar and 75GW Wind Power by 2022…. Can we achieve that and what would be the challenges?
Starting from 2 GW in 2014 to 30 GW in 2019, what India has achieved in last 5 years in terms of Solar Installations is phenomenal. Surely the Target of 100 GW by 2022 looks achievable with the support of policy initiatives by Indian Government. For global Investors & Project Developers, India is a lucrative market in terms of strong forecast on Energy demand side and opportunity to sign PPA with AAA rated off-takers like SECI & NTPC. Solar parks are helping to bring cost reduction with economy of scale across BOM & recent announcement of Ultra Mega Solar project will take this cause further. So lower the cost, widespread the adaption and 100 GW is surely within the range or maybe India can surprise everyone by doing better than this.
- How much is your R&D budget as % of your sales / profits
As the technology leader, Heraeus always regards R&D as our core competency. We will introduce a new state of the art innovation center in China which will significantly expand current R&D capabilities. The new innovation center, will focus on the technical requirements of China-based customers. The facility, which will be fully staffed and operational by September 2019, will work with customers on current-generation of metallization pastes to accelerate customers’ speed-to-market. At the same time, Heraeus Photovoltaics will significantly strengthen its current R&D capabilities at its Singapore Technology Center, which focuses on current generation paste for global accounts in the South East Asia region and also India.
- What are the top 5 markets for your company in the past, present and future
We are a global company and dedicated to serve all key markets. We are active where our customers are, meaning especially in China, SEA and India markets, etc. For our beyond paste products that focus on components for solar cell modules, also USA and Europe are our target markets.
India is a key market for us. With the establishment of a dedicated local sales team in India, Heraeus will intensify its customer relationship and provide a secure supply chain. Heraeus will also establish dedicated resources in its R&D Center in Singapore, to better tailor and further speed up customization of silver pastes for Indian cell manufacturers.
- Whats is your market share in the solar pv manufacturing market
Heraeus Photovoltaics is the market leader globally with our broad metallization products portfolio and solutions.
In last 2 years, we have been able to grab more than 50% market share in India working together with the largest Solar cell Manufacturers in India. We are also proud Receipt of “Solar Cell Material Supplier of the year award 2019 “by First Media.
- Explain tech features of your materials, its importance, USP’s, distinctive and competitive advantages etc…
Heraeus is the world’s leading company in silver metallization paste and the only company in its industry offering products for all solar cell architectures and photovoltaic technologies, ranging from n-type, black silicon and PERC to double printing and knotless screen. The paste of Heraeus Photovoltaics holds several efficiency records in these technologies and is constantly increasing the efficiencies of its products with photovoltaic experts in its R&D centers all around the world.
In the last ten years, Heraeus has continuously invested in both short-term operational projects and long-term strategic initiatives to support its customers. This year, Heraeus Photovoltaics became the first metallization paste maker to achieve the feat of supplying paste over the last years to manufacture a total sum of 200 GW of PV cells.
