Applied Materials
announced that Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang toured the company's state-of-the-art
SunFab Solar Module Reliability Testing facility yesterday in Xi'an, China,
and met with company executives to discuss the future prospects for solar photovoltaic
(PV) electricity in China. The Vice Premier viewed the solar PV array at the
campus, the largest in Shaanxi province and one of the largest in China, and
watched a demonstration of the rigorous solar panel testing process conducted
in the laboratories.
China Vice Premier Li Keqiang (front C) leans forward to watch as an engineer (sitting) demonstrates sophisticated tests being performed on solar panels at the Applied Materials SunFab Solar Module Reliability Testing facility yesterday in Xi'an, China. (Photo: Business Wire)
“Vice Premier Li's visit to Applied underscores the importance
the Chinese government is placing on renewable energy and in particular solar,”
said Barry Quan, President of Applied Materials China. “We are honored
that he chose to visit our facility and look forward to working closely with
the government in Xi'an and at the national level to help accelerate the
utilization of solar throughout China.”
Vice Premier Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau
of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee was accompanied by Mr.
Yuan Chunqing, Governor of Shaanxi Province, Mr. Zhang Ping, Chairman of the
National Development and Reform Commission, and Mr. Sun Qingyun, Party Secretary
of Xi'an City.
Applied Materials established an Engineering and Development Center in Xi'an
in 2007 and opened the SunFab Module Reliability Testing laboratory there in
2008. The lab is the first of its kind in China which enables Applied to test
solar modules in-house as it continues to improve its processes and product
offerings over time. Applied was recently named the world's largest producer
of equipment for the solar PV industry.
The company also recently broke ground on phase two of its new Global Solar
R&D Center in Xi'an. When completed, the facility will include a state-of-the-art
solar technology center for R&D, engineering, demonstration, validation
and training for both crystalline silicon and thin film solar equipment and
processes. Applied Materials has a long history in China and is celebrating
its 25th anniversary of operations in China in 2009.
Today, the U.S. and China together use about half of the total energy consumed
in the world and produce a similar share of greenhouse gas emissions. The world's
energy demands are increasing, creating an unprecedented urgency for solutions.
More than two-thirds of China receives over 2000 hours of sunlight each year
providing a great opportunity to harness the power of the sun as a clean, renewable
source of energy to help meet the needs of a growing economy.
“There is a tremendous opportunity for the United States and China to
work together to our mutual benefit and to make solar a more meaningful part
of the energy supply of both countries,” said Charles Gay, President of
Applied Solar and co-chair of the Renewable Energy Working Group for the U.S.-China
Clean Energy Forum. “With the government's support and commitment
we can help make solar a more affordable option and grow the market for solar
panels throughout China.”
The U.S.-China Clean Energy Forum is a high-level, private-sector-led forum
focused on addressing how the U.S. and China can cooperate on clean energy technologies
and alternative fuels. The Forum includes experts in energy, finance and public
policy who are cooperating to identify priorities and explore solutions in three
broad topical areas: energy conservation and efficiency, environmental protection
and renewable energy. Applied Materials is a charter supporter of the Forum.
Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in Nanomanufacturing
Technology solutions with a broad portfolio of innovative equipment, service
and software products for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panel
displays, solar photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics and energy efficient
glass. At Applied Materials, we apply Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve
the way people live.