XI’AN, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 17, 2009--
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.
“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.
About Applied Materials
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.
Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.
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Source: Applied Materials, Inc.
Applied Materials, Inc.
David Miller, 408-563-9582 (editorial/media)
Michael
Sullivan, 408-986-7977 (financial community)
