Solar Cells Info

Taipei, By Deborah Kuo /3 July 2009
Source: Central News Agency /eTaiwanNews
http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?
id=993541&lang=eng_news&cate_img=35.jpg&cate_rss=news_Business

AxunTek Solar Energy, the first company in Taiwan to have developed cutting-edge CIGS thin-film technology for green energy, is set to upgrade and expand its production of CIGS thin-film solar cells and related products in a new plant, company officials said Friday.  The Export Processing Zone Administration (EPZA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs gave the green light that day to a new investment plan proposed by AxunTek to build a manufacturing plant at an EPZ in the southernmost county of Pingtung for expanded research and production of CIGS thin-film solar cells. Under the plan, AxunTek will invest NT$6.99 billion (US$212.43 million) for the expansion of CIGS thin-film solar cell research and production, according to the EPZA.

AxunTek unveiled Taiwan’s first CIGS thin-film solar cell and technology last year at the International Photovoltaic Forum and Exhibition. CIGS is a compound semiconductor material composed of copper, indium, gallium and selenium that is used as light-absorbent material for thin-film solar cells. Panels that harvest energy using CIGS cost far less to make and install than traditional solar panels, which is an important consideration in the face of traditional fossil-based energy drying up and prices skyrocketing.

Axuntek’s mission is to help upgrade the solar industry in Taiwan, which is expected to play a critical role in an era in which renewable and low-pollution energy will be in high demand, said corporate founder Lin Fei-lung. “Our team’s development includes research into high-efficiency CIGS thin-film solar cells, components, process integration, research into in-line deposition systems, packaging processes for CIGS thin-film and related equipment,” Lin added.