Solar Solutions

A joint team from Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor Group participated in the recently held U.S. Solar Energy Trade Mission to India. The event was organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDC). The goals of this trade mission were to help U.S. solar technology firms initiate or expand their exports to India. These goals were accomplished by providing introductions to potential partners via networking opportunities, the facilitation of policy discussions with federal and state governments, and by generating current market
research information.

During early December 2009, the USDC invited applications from U.S. based solar companies to participate in the trade mission to India. Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor were among the 15 companies selected from a list of over two dozen US companies. The trade mission participants visited three Indian cities, namely, New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai.

“Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor jointly engaged numerous Indian companies across the solar value chain,” said Martin Lee, Greater Asia Commercial Manager. “We also met with other critical players, such as government officials at the federal and state level, potential investors and bankers and financiers. This gave us the opportunity to greatly enhance their understanding of how government initiatives can drive the growth of the solar industry in India, and how leading material solutions providers, like Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor, can add tremendous value in helping the industry achieve its goals.” Lee added, “The trade mission provided a meaningful forum for dialogue and information sharing, and building relationships that will help develop a portfolio of opportunities for Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor in India.”

“The (Dow Corning and HSC) team also had the opportunity to interact with Mr. Timothy J. Roemer, U.S. Ambassador to India. Ambassador Roemer mentioned that he was aware of the work Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor are doing to promote solar energy and discussed the growing opportunity for partnerships between India and the U.S.”

“Solar represents a multi billion dollar market today – and India has incredible potential to be a big part of this market. As per the recently launched Jawahar Lal Nehru National Solar Mission, the Indian government has set an ambitious target of 20,000 MW of solar energy by 2022. This is one of the largest solar energy programs launched anywhere in the world,” commented Jean Paul Mollie, regional president – Middle East, South Asia and Africa.

The United States Government is working with India to broaden and deepen cooperation on clean energy and climate change, as evidenced by the November signing of the Memorandum of Understanding to Enhance Cooperation on Energy Security, Energy Efficiency, Clean Energy and Climate Change.

The joint Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor team: Andreas Broemser, European sales manager, HSC; Martin Lee, Greater Asia commercial manager, Phanindra Kumar India sales manager and Vikash Kumar, India business development.