Taiwan's PV Industry Overview

For innovation in the green energy sector, Taiwan is taking bold steps to increase its share of the global market, especially in the solar power technology. Taiwan has ranked fifth in the world in 2007 in terms of production volume of 565MW in photovoltaic industry and the production value reached NTD 60.8 billion (US 1.79 billion), taking the global market share of 16.2%. In 2008, the production volume is expected to increase by 93.8%, according to the prediction of Photonics Industry & Technology Development Association (PIDA).

Taiwan started to develop its PV Industry since 1999. The production value breaks NT$10 billion＊ in 2000. The number of local PV manufacturers has increased rapidly since 2005 with more than five manufacturers joining the Industry every year since then. From January to May this year, the amount of the total investment in the Taiwanese PV Industry reached NT$25 billion, which already exceeds the NT$20 billion total investment in 2006.

In 2006, there were 14 solar cell production lines. The total production value of Taiwanese solar and module manufacturer totaled NT$17 billion in 2006 occupying 6.4% of the global market share. In 2007, the production volume will grow 2.2 times to 565 MW. The production value will reach NT$60 billion with a 16.2% global market share making Taiwan the fifth largest producer in the world. (﹡Exchange rate: USD1 ≒ NT$33)

The Taiwanese government offers its support to help the local manufacturers to establish themselves and later enter the world market. The solar cell Industry in Taiwan focuses on export markets with more than 95% of total production bound for foreign shores.(For more information please access OLIE at www.pida.org.tw/olie)