Rebecca Kuo and Nuying Huang, Taipei; Emily Chuang, DIGITIMES [Friday 2 November 2007]
Industry sources recently indicated that LCD panel maker Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) is planning to enter the thin-film solar energy market, with the company planning to set up a subsidiary in the future. The project will soon be approved by CMO's board of directors, said the sources.
Equipment, facilities and technology will be transferred from foreign companies, noted the sources, adding that if the project goes smoothly, CMO's solar cell plant will kick off in the middle of 2008.
Some solar equipment makers confirmed that CMO is actively in touch with thin-film solar markers for technology transfer. Chao-yang Ho, present of CMO will lead the company's solar power business, detailed the sources.
CMO stressed that it is still evaluating the solar energy market and the company has not yet finalized the project.
Chi Lin Technology, a member of the Chi Mei Group is already involved in the solar energy market. The company hired staff at Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to do research on dye-sensitized solar cells.
CMO is also reportedly interested in the solar power market. However, the company has not yet officially announced which field it is aiming for. The sources noted that the move to the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park Service Center showed the panel maker is eying polysilicon development. However, after assessment, CMO is likely to give up on this project, added the sources.
CMO originally planned to step into the crystalline silicon market with rumors indicating that it was near ready to place orders with a European equipment maker. However, the project now is under suspension after CMO completed more research on the market, the sources pointed out.
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