Asia Pacific PV Industry Council (APPIC) Established in Shanghai

-- Aiming to promote a sound and sustainable development of photovoltaic Industry in the Asia Pacific region

On May 7, 2010, a new cross-regional photovoltaic industry association -- Asia Pacific PV Industry Council (APPIC) was established in Shanghai. The signing ceremony and press conference were held at Shanghai International Convention Center. It is known, the Asia and Pacific region has two thirds of the global solar cell production capacity and occupies nearly one third of the global application market share.

In recent years, the development of solar PV industry in Asia Pacific region has made rapid progress, and the growth has even exceeded EU countries headed by Germany. However, the region is very backward in PV applications comparing to Europe; moreover, differences and defects exist in industrial standards, technology, quality, cost control, and market expansion among solar cell manufacturers of different countries, which always arouse unfair competition and hinder the sound development of solar PV industry. In this background, the non-government organization Asia Pacific PV Industry Council (APPIC) was established. It is initiated by Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA), South Korea New Energy & Renewable Energy Association, Malaysian Photovoltaic Industry Association (MPIA), Australian PV Association (APVA), Taiwan Photovoltaic Industry Association (TPVIA), Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association (CREIA) and Shanghai New Energy Industry Association (SNEIA). The purpose of the organization is to enhance the science and technology research, improve PV power conversion efficiency, stabilize the quality of solar products, reduce the cost of production, and speed up the market expansion and applications so that we can ensure the sound and sustainable development of solar PV industry in the Asia Pacific region. The organization will also fully cooperate with European solar PV industrial organizations to eliminate barriers and resolve conflicts, therefore increasing the production and application of solar energy. The ultimate goal is to make even larger contribution on replacing the traditional fossil energy and mitigating the global climate change.

The above mentioned initiators are the first group of members of APPIC. The standing members will take turns to host daily affairs, and the first phase will be in Japan. Many organizations and institutes from the Middle East, South Asia, and South Pacific Islands all have shown their wish to join APPIC.

Prof. Martin Green, the world-famous PV expert, presented the signing ceremony and announced the establishment of APPIC. Later, the respectable scientist who devotes all his life to solar energy delivered a short but touching speech, followed by group interview by media from home and abroad.