Gigastorage, in order to reflect increases in cost of polysilicon by US$1.5/kg to US$16-17/kg, has hiked prices for its solar-grade polycrystalline silicon wafers to US$0.8 for models with energy conversion rates of 17-17.1% and above US$0.9 for products with efficiencies of 17.6-17.8%, according to company president Chen Chi-jen.
Gigastorage saw a large sequential increase in solar-grade silicon wafer shipment in January mainly due to growing demand from Japan and Europe, especially for high-efficiency models, Chen indicated.
The total PV installation capacity in the Japan market is expected to rise from 1.7-1.8GWp in 2012 to 3GWp in 2013, and PV modules with PID (potential induced degradation)-free certification for use in roof-mounted PV systems entail use of solar cells (and wafers) with high energy conversion rates of over 17.6%, Chen pointed out. In the Europe market, demand for high-efficiency PV modules is growing significantly because BOS (balance of system) cost (total cost minus cost for PV modules and inverters) for roof-mounted PV systems is high, Chen indicated.
Gigastorage expects to clear inventory in February and is likely to see gross margins in March and thereby net operating profits in the second quarter of 2013, Chen noted.
In view of growing demand, Gigastorage plans to set up additional annual production capacity of 150-200MWp on a land site of 13,200 square meters (3.27 acres) in northern Taiwan, with the completion scheduled for the second quarter of 2013 and its total production capacity to be expanded to 500MWp, Chen pointed out.
Gigastorage is competing for supply of solar-grade silicon wafers for use in a PV power-generating station to be established in Southeast Asia and if obtains the contract, completion will be in the fourth quarter of 2013, Chen indicated.
