TSMC focuses on photovoltaics and builds advanced thin-film solar R&D center

On September 16, TSMC held a groundbreaking ceremony for the first advanced thin-film solar technology R&D center and pre-production plant in Taichung Science Park, sounding the clarion call for TSMC to fully enter the thin-film solar market. TSMC Chairman and CEO Morris Chang said at the ceremony that the new business team has achieved many important milestones since its establishment last year. Among them, the LED lighting technology R&D center and mass production plant have been established in Hsinchu, Taiwan, and the first solar plant is also preparing to break ground in Taichung. The two new green energy businesses of LED lighting and solar energy will not only enhance the long-term revenue and profit growth of TSMC, but will also manufacture green energy products that are friendly to the earth, highlighting TSMC's social responsibility as a corporate citizen. In addition, this solar plant will be built next to the Fab 15 that just broke ground in July, which means that Taichung Science Park will become one of TSMC's most advanced and innovative production bases. TSMC New Business General Manager Tsai Li-hsing also pointed out that TSMC has always pursued excellence in the field of technology, and the development of the solar energy business is no exception. We will focus on the research and development of solar energy technology in this solar power plant, and provide advanced thin-film solutions and manufacturing. In addition, we will fully integrate and leverage TSMC's excellent manufacturing capabilities in the future to become an industry leader in thin-film solar energy. This thin-film solar technology R&D center and early mass production plant will be built in two phases. The investment amount for the first phase is US$258 million (approximately NT$7.92 billion). It is expected to be completed and installed in the second quarter of 2011, and reach an initial annual output of 200 million watts (MW) in 2012; as for the second phase, the output will exceed 700 million watts (MW). In addition, this new solar power plant will continue to develop the thin-film copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) technology that was authorized and transferred by the American company Stion in June this year. In the future, TSMC will sell its solar products globally under its own brand. End of content