Responding to emerging opportunities in the U.S. solar market as well as economic
stimulus funding, SVTC Technologies
and Roth + Rau have renewed and expanded their partnership and are establishing
a 30 megawatt (MW) world-class photovoltaic (PV) development and manufacturing
center located in California's Silicon Valley in the City of San Jose.
SVTC Technologies is a provider of technology development and commercialization
services to global semiconductor-based clients, and Roth + Rau is a world-leading
solar equipment manufacturer based in Germany.
Through the new 30 MW Silicon Valley Photovoltaic Development Center, SVTC
and Roth + Rau will offer a full range of manufacturing equipment and services
to companies engaged in the development and production of solar cells.
Changing conditions favor solar success
Worldwide, the solar PV market is expected to reach $34 billion by 2013. The
economic stimulus bill, signed into law in February 2009, is making billions
of dollars available through the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) for renewable
energy investment in U.S. companies, including those engaged in solar energy
development and manufacturing.
During 2008, almost $4 billion was invested in solar technologies. However,
with the recent market down-turn, most solar development companies in the U.S.,
including both start-ups and established firms, do not have access to either
the capital equipment or cost-effective, complete development solutions they
need to succeed. Without such access, it is unlikely that most U.S. solar start-ups
can survive more than two years, or that established companies will thrive and
reach their potential.
“Our relationship with Roth + Rau, developed over a year ago, has
enabled SVTC to respond rapidly to new opportunities resulting from changing
market conditions and stimulus funding for solar energy development by the US
government,” said Joe Bronson, CEO of SVTC Technologies. “SVTC has
proven the value of its business model of providing equipment and development
capabilities for the commercialization of products in the semiconductor portion
of its business. We will adapt the same concept to the emerging US solar business
to accelerate its ability to grow the market for solar cells. We are delighted
to move forward with a strong partner of Roth + Rau's standing and expertise
and we both expect to accelerate the commercialization process in solar cell
development while providing significant cost abatement to the industry resulting
from their ability to access a world-class manufacturing line instead of investing
considerable sums in their own pilot production facilities.”
“The timing is right for a big push into the U.S. market for solar technologies,
especially in California and Silicon Valley,” said Dietmar Roth, CEO of
Roth + Rau AG. “By partnering with SVTC, Roth + Rau will gain
access to the nation's highest concentration of solar product development
companies as well as establish a high-profile presence in Silicon Valley. We
are very enthusiastic about the market for PV development and manufacturing
in the U.S., which we believe is poised for rapid growth.”
SVTC and Roth + Rau have significantly expanded the scope of their original
plans for the Silicon Valley Photovoltaic Development Center, increasing the
capacity of the manufacturing line from 5 MW to 30 MW, to meet the greater demand
from solar development companies.
The Silicon Valley Photovoltaic Development Center, which is scheduled to be
operational by Q1 2010, will offer a full range of low-cost development solutions
along with the 30 MW solar cell production line. The manufacturing line will
consist of state-of-the-art Roth + Rau equipment and will also include tools
from other world-class solar equipment suppliers.
SVTC Technologies speeds the development and commercialization of innovative
silicon-based technologies and products, cost-effectively and in an IP-secure
manner. Through facilities in San Jose, Calif., and Austin, Texas, SVTC serves
customers in rapidly growing markets such as novel memory, novel transistors,
logic, MEMS, biotechnology, images sensors and photovoltaics. SVTC offers a
suite of leading-edge equipment and services, including full-scale 8-inch and
12-inch process capabilities, advanced CMOS equipment, analytical services,
development support tools and commercialization services. SVTC is co-owned by
Oak Hill Capital Management and Tallwood Venture Capital, along with management.
SVTC Technologies is an equal opportunity employer.