Applied Materials was named among Technology Review’s 2012 TR50, which lists the world's 50 most innovative companies, for the third consecutive year. Applied is recognized for “helping lower the cost of solar power through a new innovative manufacturing system that allows solar producers to increase the output and efficiency of their cells.”
Ten U.S. Senators recently visited Applied Materials' Solar Technology Center in Xi’an, China. The delegation’s mission was to learn more about renewable energy markets, manufacturing and projects in China as well as to observe U.S. investment in China.
The delegation included Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Democratic Caucus Chairman Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)
China has overtaken Japan as the world’s second largest economy, however this is not necessarily a triumphant moment. Not only because China’s per capita gross domestic product (GDP) still seriously lags behind the developed world, it is also trying to accelerate economic restructuring and reduce its heavy reliance on high energy consumption to fuel its economy.
Having maintained a strong presence in China for 26 years, we are confident that as the current energy intensive “GDP Cult” fades, China will accelerate development in solar and renewable energy for a more sustainable development— and Applied Materials will play a key role in helping drive that green GDP.
Recently Applied Materials hosted seven members of the New Democrat Coalition to discuss key issues affecting the development of clean energy technology in the U.S. The New Democrat Coalition (called the “New Dems” for short) is a group of seventy House of Representatives Democrats with a focus on pro-innovation and pro-growth policy objectives. The group met with Applied Materials Chairman and CEO, Mike Splinter for a roundtable meeting to discuss the current state of the solar industry, policy recommendations for improving clean-tech manufacturing and research and development in the U.S. and the effects of U.S. tax policy on the high-tech industry’s development.
Today is the summer solstice, the day the sun shines in the northern hemisphere for the longest period of time all year. In recognition of this day and the ongoing debate concerning energy reform legislation, Applied Materials, the world’s leading supplier of solar panel manufacturing equipment, conducted its second annual survey to gauge the public’s current knowledge and opinion of solar energy usage in the U.S.
My unofficial 2010 Solar Predictions. Before we start, an author’s safe harbor statement: these predictions are necessarily forward-looking statements and, since the future can be temperamental, any prediction that does not exactly match can and will be graciously excused.