Applied Materials Supports China Solar Decathlon

Solar energy and innovation are at the forefront of diplomacy as President Barack Obama hosts China’s President Hu Jintao in an official state visit January 18 – 22, 2011. As part of the visit, numerous agreements will be reached that can improve economic and environmental conditions in their respective countries and around the world. Applied Materials has played an important role in creating a Solar Decathlon competition program in China fashioned after the highly successful U.S. model.

The breaking news: Applied Materials signed a memorandum of understanding with Peking University, the China National Energy Administration (NEA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to bring Solar Decathlon to China. Our government affairs and community affairs organizations have been working with strong resolve for China to adopt this program.

Solar energy continues to increase as a portion of the global energy mix, adding jobs and spurring economic benefits, while lessening the environmental impact from energy consumption. The Solar Decathlon aims to help bring solar energy technologies to the marketplace faster by demonstrating the attractive design and sustainable living opportunities afforded through solar technology. The Solar Decathlon also educates the college-aged participants and the public about the many benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency in buildings available today.

Peking University and Applied Materials, with support from the U.S. DOE and the

China NEA, will collaborate to design a program and ensure a successful implementation by 2013 of the Chinese Solar Decathlon competition that will challenge students to design and build a self-sufficient house powered by the sun. Applied has supported teams from University of Texas-Austin and Santa Clara University at previous U.S. competitions as well as being a national sponsor of the 2009 competition. Additionally, China had two universities participate in Solar Decathlon Europe and one of them, Tianjin in Shanghai, will participate in the U.S. program in September 2011, in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Mark Pinto, Executive Vice President and head of the Applied Energy and Environmental Solutions and Display group has been a strong champion for bringing this program to China. He offers the following insights, “The Solar Decathlon is a powerful tool to teach young people and the public about renewable energy – especially the fact that renewable energy technologies are available for use today to reduce energy costs and environmental impacts. The extension of the program to China will demonstrate a continued commitment between the U.S. and China to advance renewable energy technology.”

This is an exciting opportunity for Applied to play a leadership role in such an important program in China.