Infineon Interview at REI Expo 2014
3rd – 5th September 2014 at India Expo Centre, Noida
Spokesperson:
Padmanabha Gowda, Sales Head – Industrial Power Control (IPC), Infineon Technologies, India
Youvraj Chandrakar, Head – Power Management & Multimarket, Infineon Technologies, India
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Please share with us your product range for solar & photovoltaic application that you are offering here in REI.
Infineon has a wide range from low power to high power semiconductors; and a wide selection of packaging types as well as modules.On display at REI are our IGBT modules which are very high power devices starting from 600V – 1200V – 1500V, 4.5 KV and above.
These IGBTs are suited for string inverter topology between 1KW and 30KW and central inverter topology above 30KW.
They are also in wind converters along with bipolar devices and integrated stacks, which are also on display here. These are some of the high power products for solar and wind.
On the low power side, we are demonstrating the latest generation MOSFET and showcasing 250 Watts micro-solar inverters and 250 watt power optimizer for solar panels & inverters. These MOSFETS (OptiMOSTM and CoolMOSTM) between 60V and 800V maintain or even improve the efficiency of the micro-solar inverter system, while reducing the total system size at lower cost.
We differentiate ourselves through the strength of our R&D in improving the efficiency in generation after generation of products. Every year there is a consistent continuous improvement in terms of lower losses & improved efficiency.Solar and wind projects typically are 20-year relations.
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Indian market is not very aggressive towards solar applications, so how do you look at the opportunities of these devices in India?
Considering that India in year 2020 is looking to generate 20GW solar energy, there is a tremendous scope for opportunities and Infineon is participating in programs and being a part of this ecosystem. Renewable energy is one of our main focus in India..
With the new government and emphasis on renewable sources, MNRE is pushing this initiative for both solar & wind segment. Early there was an incentive based program for the manufacturers of the solar products, which is being reintroduced now, Similarly in the wind segment there is an accelerated demand for investments.
Infineon remains optimistic on the future of the solar power industry in India. With the government’s emphasis on right supporting policies. India can be on its way to becoming one of the world’s largest producer and consumer of solar power by 2022.
To achieve this goal, India’s solar ecosystem must be nurtured in the next decade so that the green shoots that have emerged can grow strong and provide the platform for solar power to meet its future energy security and environmental considerations. India needs to actively learn from success stories about the adoption of solar power – especially from Germany.
Solar power can be a game changer for India, to address India’s massive power shortage problem and help India achieve its economic goals in an environmentally sustainable manner.
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What obstacles or challenges Infineon feels to start manufacturing in India.
The national electronic policy announced by the government and number of financial incentives will encourage many manufacturing units to set up operations in India. The policy has been approved and companies have a very large incentive to manufacture locally and take advantage of the norms.Till date important components like PCB, Chips are being imported.
Considering the fact that import bill of electronic goods will surpass the oil import bill by 2020. Indian electronics products industry is the biggest opportunity for Indian semiconductor industry.
We do not see any major challenges as the two fabs are on the verge of being approved. with Indian government putting emphasis on manufacturing here the local demand will increase, but it will take some time..
