Taiwan's Bureau of Energy plans to hold a business conference regarding Taiwan-based firms developing markets such as the US and Thailand on December 21,2012.
Solar makers noted that the US market is relatively transparent but requires a lot of funding because local banks do not like to support international firms.Despite continuous adjustments to subsidy programs,most international makers still believe the US market has high entry barriers set up to protect the domestic industry.
To invest in the US market,most firms need a lot of funding and have to own 100%of the power plants.Taiwan-based solar firms,due to a lack of experience in solar PV systems,have been facing difficulties obtaining loans from US banks.
Some banks in Taiwan are willing to support Taiwan-based solar makers constructing solar power plants in the US but demand collateral.Providing collateral has been a challenge for Taiwan-based firms.
Solar makers noted that the Thailand market requires good relationships with local authorities,hence firms have been investing in short-term projects.
Solar makers that have been constructing power plants in Thailand noted that Thailand will have subsidies to support more than 700MW of installations in 2013.But,to succeed in Thailand,firms need to have strong political relationships with local authorities.This has caused most firms to prefer selling products in the market instead constructing power plants.
