According to a Photonics Technology & Industry Development Association (PIDA) report, in 2015 during the first half of the year, Taiwan’s solar output was approximately NT$80.3 billion, of which crystal wafer solar cells accounted for 60%, silicon materials accounted for 23% and battery modules and systems accounted for 14% and 3% respectively.

PIDA pointed out that in comparison with the first half of the year in 2014, Taiwan’s crystal piece type solar cell output decreased by 17%, which is a clear sign of weakness in the industry.

In Taiwan following Taiwan Polysilicon Corp’s declaration of bankruptcy, there has been no scale for polycrystalline silicon materials, and in the future Taiwan will be heavily reliant of foreign imports. Due to a long-term oversupply of solar modules and price-gouging competition, the space for thin-film solar technology to exist has drastically shrunk. For example, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) solar company announced in late August that it would discontinue its operations.

The supply has exceeded the demand in the market, leading to industry losses. During the first half of 2014 the top ten solar manufacturers had combined profits of NT$4 billion. However, during the first half of 2015, they lost nearly NT$5.7 billion.

PIDA believes that because production and manufacturing in the global solar industry have migrated to the Asia region and Europe, The United States, and Japan have reduced building costs and sought out overseas partners, Taiwanese manufacturers must research and develop new perovskite solar cell technologies in order to maintain high profitability.

(TR/Phil Sweeney)