Some first-tier China-based PV makers reportedly plan to stop production of crystalline silicon solar cells and then focus operation on producing PV modules and undertaking PV EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) projects, Taiwan PV industry sources cited China-based makers as indicating.
As required energy conversion rates for solar cells are on the rise, these China-based PV makers have only small proportions of total solar cell output for high-efficiency models and therefore are likely to suffer operating losses, the sources said. Thus, they plan to quit solar cell production and sell equipment to China-based fellow makers or Taiwan-based solar cell makers, the sources indicated. In comparison, PV modules or EPC projects of setting up PV systems or PV power-generating stations are relatively profitable for these China-based PV makers, the sources pointed out.
However, Taiwan-based solar cell makers are conservative about a plan to quit solar cell production because first-tier China-based PV makers have been supported by the China and/or local governments and may not quit solar cell production even if such production incurs operating losses, the sources indicated.
