engineering the solar age - Suppliers for Photovoltaics

Discover the world of glass and solar production

Glass is a pivotal material for manufacturing solar modules. Its properties directly impact the efficiency ratio and cost structure of a module. glasstec in Düsseldorf is the world’s most important trade fair in the glass sector. Every two years, more than 1,200 exhibitors in nine halls showcase the latest technologies for manufacturing, processing, laminating and coating glass, as well as for photovoltaic applications. This makes glasstec a magnet for mechanical engineering, glass industry and glazier trade, as well as for architects, façade planners and construction engineers. A special highlight is the innovation show “glass technology live” that provides exciting insights into future (energy-efficient) uses of glass – completed with power-generating façades and building-integrated photovoltaics.

Since 2010 this expertise in glass has been supplemented by solarpeq – International Trade Fair for Solar Production Equipment. This trade fair, closely dovetailing with glasstec in terms of halls and dates, focuses on solar manufacturing technology for crystalline and thin-film photovoltaics. Exhibitors primarily include producers of machinery, equipment and components, but also of materials for manufacturing finished solar products.

This successful partnership combines the complete PV value chain under one roof and in fall 2010 it attracted approximately 45,000 experts to Düsseldorf. Over half the visitors came from abroad, including a particularly high percentage of decision-makers (57%). The premiere staging of solarpeq attracted 42% international visitors from 30 countries. The combination of glasstec and solarpeq forms a one-of-a-kind trade fair that enables the two sectors to act on an international communication platform.

The promising partnership of glasstec and solarpeq was emphasized by the premiere of the “Solar meets Glass” conference. The 200 high-caliber participants unanimously praised this opportunity for dialogue. As a result, a follow-up to the conference was held in April 2011 as part of the “3rd Photovoltaics Thin-Film Week”, the world’s biggest event for thin-film photovoltaics at Technologiepark Adlershof in Berlin. The next edition of “Solar meets Glass” is scheduled for 2012. The coming glasstec/solarpeq will be held in Düsseldorf from October 23 to 26, 2012.