Four leading Taiwanese cell makers plan module JV – reports

The DigiTimes has reported that four solar cell manufacturers from Taiwan are planning to set up a 1.5 GWp module production facility in the country, led by Motech.

The proposed 1.5 GW module fab would meet around 50% of Taiwan's demand for solar.

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Taiwanese solar cell manufacturer Motech Industries is reportedly leading a consortium of three other unnamed cell makers to build a 1.5 GW module production facility in Taiwan.

According to the DigiTimes, the proposed joint venture (JV) will be coordinated by Motech chairman and CEO Chang Peng-heng, and will see each of the four companies invest an initial paid-in capital of $13.2 million to embark on the first 500 MW stage of production.

The eventual capacity is expected to rise to 1.5 GW, with each of the four PV partners holding an equal 25% stake in the plant, anonymous sources told DigiTimes.

Further details of the production plan could not be verified by pv magazine at this time, but DigiTimes added that the JV will undertake OEM production at the site, with each supplying cells and eventually selling the modules produced. The intention of the fab is to meet rising domestic solar demand, and the JV hopes to corner 50% of the Taiwan market share.

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Industry analyst Corrine Lin told pv magazine that this is not the first time that Taiwan’s leading solar cell makers have considered a JV of this nature. “Their plans have always failed in the past because every company wants to be the overall boss of the plant,” Lin said.

This time, however, there is a growing awareness of the value of collaboration – one of the leading ways to ensure the survival of Taiwan’s solar industry, Lin added.

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