Photovoltaic news and pv jobs

TSMC Solar progresses 300 MW CIGS fab

Taiwanese photovoltaic manufacturer, TSMC, announced today that it has completed the "equipment move in" stage at its CIGS fab in Taichung, Taiwan.

Phase one of the fab will have a capacity of 100 megawatt (MW) in 2012, ramping up to 300 MW at full capacity. Phase two of the fab would increase capacity to one gigawatt by 2015.

The first modules from the six-story and 700,000 square foot fab are expected to be shipped in the first quarter of 2012. They are currently undergoing testing.

"It really is an automation marvel," said Rick Tsai, Chairman and CEO, TSMC Solar in a statement. "We handle every step of transforming raw materials into finished CIGS modules. That means start-to-finish optimization of the manufacturing process for productivity, performance and quality."

The modules produced at the plant are targeted at the large-scale commercial and utility-scale markets in North America, Europe and elsewhere.

TSMC Solar’s parent company has 25 years experience in the semiconductor business.

Tsai pointed to TSMC Solar’s CIGS technology, automated manufacturing processes and strong financial position as being factors in the company’s favor.