In recent months, tech heavyweights Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) of Taiwan and South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries have gained entry to the copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar segment via cooperation with established solar firms.
With crystalline solar technology maturing, solar players are looking for opportunities in the next-generation of solar technologies, and in thin-film CIGS in particular.
In June, TSMC and Stion, a manufacturer of high-efficiency thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules, have announced that the two companies have reached a series of agreements covering technology licensing, supply, and joint development. In addition, VentureTech Alliance, a TSMC affiliate, will invest US$50 million to take a 21% stake in Stion.
Under the agreements, Stion licenses and transfers its thin-film CIGSS (copper indium gallium sulphur-selenide) technology to TSMC, while TSMC will provide a certain quantity of solar modules to Stion using the technology.
TSMC recently broke ground for its CIGS module plant in Taichung, Taiwan, and is expected to invest NT$7.92 billion (US$256.83 million) for the initial phase, which is scheduled for completion along with equipment installation in the second quarter of 2011. Capacity will reach 200MWp in 2012 and over 700MWp when phase two of the plant goes online. Stion's own capacity is currently at 5WMp and is reportedly planning to build a new plant in Taiwan, Malaysia or Singapore.
Earlier in October, Hyundai and France-based Saint-Gobain announced that they will form a 50-50 CIGS joint venture named Hyundai Avancis, and establish the largest thin-film solar cell and module plant in South Korea. The companies plans to invest US$196.9 million initially and operation will begin in the second quarter of 2012.
Saint-Gobain subsidiary Avancis currently has 20MWp in own capacity and is constructing a new plant in Germany. The first manufacturing facility for the joint venture will reportedly be designed identically to Avantis' new German plant.
Saint-Gobain's thin-film PV modules are also based on CIGSS technology. The company claims that its efficiency rate is 20% in laboratory and 12% in the field.
Article translated by Willie Teng
