Unlike the semiconductor industry, the recognition of suppliers from PV manufacturers is limited. However, SolarWorld has organized its first supplier award event to acknowledge the important role suppliers make to the success of its operations. In a statement, several categories were highlighted by the module manufacturer, which included awards to Kostal, 3M and Gigasolar.

Kostal Solar Electric was said to have won the ‘technology award’ for the joint development of a battery inverter that is marketed by SolarWorld under the brand name of SunPac K.

3M’s Renewable Energy Division received the award for ‘outstanding achievements in the field of sustainability and environmental compatibility.’ The company produces module backsheet and other consumable materials used in module manufacturing. SolarWorld noted that it had given ‘special recognition’ to 3M for its sustainability report.

SolarWorld also highlighted its ‘performance award,’ went to metalization paste supplier, Gigasolar Materials Corporationdue to its logistics performance and product quality.

“The award recognizes companies that have made a particular contribution to our production in Germany and the U.S. towards our aim of providing clean electricity,” commented Dr.-Ing. E. h. Frank Asbeck, CEO of SolarWorld AG. “We rely on our suppliers to help us implement plans for the cost-efficient production and ever increasing efficiency of our solar cells.”

The ceremony took part in the context of an international supplier conference in Freiberg, the location of SolarWorld’s largest production facility. The winners in the categories of sustainability, performance and technology were said to have been chosen from a total of ten nominees. SolarWorld said that it now plans to award the prize among its approximately 3,000 suppliers on an annual basis.