Taiwan-based Gintech has unveiled a multi-crystalline solar cell with the highest possible conversion efficiency of 19.5% and mass production average conversion rate of 18.4-18.8%, a conversion rate comparable to mono-crystalline solar products.
According to Wen-Whe Pan, president and COO of Gintech, firms should focus on R&D when the market condition is weak. Pan stated that the solar market has been weak in the past two years, but the Taiwan solar industry is expected to revive in 2013 thanks to a return to a supply-demand balance and developments of the trade war.
In the past five years, said Pan, oversupply caused average selling prices (ASPs) and orders to fall, leaving firms with net losses and no capital to invest into R&D, Pan noted.
Solar module prices have been falling in the past five years, added Pan. In 2008, the prices were around US$4.00/watt and they have fallen to about US$1.00/watt.
Taiwan is likely to benefit from the trade war between other countries, Pan added, but the solar industry should not be engaging in trade wars if the goal is for the solar market to develop continuously in the long term.
Pan believes market imbalance stemmed from over-subsidization in the supply chain. Countries should stimulate end-market installations with diversified finance solutions and encourage investors to invest in the solar market, said Pan.
