May 15 2010
Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd. ("Solarfun" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: SOLF), a vertically integrated manufacturer of silicon ingots and photovoltaic ("PV") cells and modules in China, today announced that the Company sponsored the Shanghai New Energy Committee ("SNEC") 4th International PV Power Generation Conference and the Opening Ceremony on May 7, 2010.
The theme of the Conference was "Development of New Energy Resources Beneficial to Mankind." The discussion included topics such as "how to strengthen the cooperation between PV technology and industrial sectors throughout the world," "how to improve PV technology," and "how to promote PV applications in China and transit China's economic social structure from high-carbon to low-carbon consumption."
In the CEO Forum, Mr. Yiren Jiang, member of the Standing Committee of CPPCC National Committee, and Dr. Murray Cameron, Vice President of EPIA presided. Mr. Yiren Jiang remarked, "We should develop affordable PV power for the people. China should increase its market share in global PV power generation from 2% to 20%." Following Mr. Jiang, Peter Xie, President of Solarfun commented, "One of the main objectives of mankind is to reduce carbon emissions to create a better environment for us all. Low cost Chinese manufacturers can work together with their European and US partners. By leveraging each parties core competencies, with the US and Europe in technology, upstream poly production, downstream EPC and distribution, and with China on low cost manufacturing, we can reach grid parity much faster. Mergers & acquisitions are also needed for the solar industry, however as the market continues its rapid growth and some social economic factors remain in China, the pace of M&A will not be as fast as some expected. Even though the difference in quality between some of the European brands and top Chinese brands are narrowing, the price difference is still as high as 0.5 to 0.6 Euro per watt. Chinese counterparts still have to increase their knowledge and expertise on product marketing and branding."
During the conference, it was forecasted by experts that solar power consumption will constitute 20% of the global energy consumption by 2020. The goal is to make PV power generation expenses decrease to 1 USD/ watt.
SNEC 4th International PV Power Generation Exhibition is now Asia's largest PV product exhibition. The global PV industry leaders and famous companies gathered in the exhibition and showcased their most recent and advanced products. Covering more than 85,000 square meters, including more than 1,400 merchants, the Exhibition attracted at least 60,000 visitors.