Taiwan’s photovoltaic industry aspires to lead the clean energy revolution
Taiwan’s photovoltaic (solar) industry is rapidly establishing itself as a major international player. Currently ranked fifth in global production, it has tremendous long-term growth prospects. The domestic legislature has proposed spending NT $30 billion (US $8.8 billion) over five years to support renewable energy research and development projects, especially the photovoltaic and LED industries. In response, the National Science Council is heavily promoting the status of photovoltaic R&D projects in 2009. Investors and scientists alike hope to transform Taiwan into a “Green Silicon Island” that can stay globally competitive by remaining at the forefront of new technological trends and advances. As the United States continues to search for cleaner sources of energy, partnerships with Taiwanese PV manufacturers would ultimately benefit both sides.
http://www.project2049.net/documents/TaiwanSolar_PhotovoltaicCellFuture.pdf
Taiwan announces green energy development plan focusing on PV and LED
Taiwan's Executive Yuan on April 23 approved a national plan to boost development of the island's green energy industries, aiming to make Taiwan the world's largest producing country for LED chips/modules, and among the top-three for photovoltaic (PV) products.
The plan is backed by a 5-year budget of NT$20 billion (US$597 million) specifically for investment in the R&D of green energy technologies, and another NT$25 billion to promote the installation of green energy or energy-saving equipment or systems, the Executive Yuan indicated. Under the plan, PV power-generating systems with a total output of 400MWp will be installed, and all of Taiwan's traffic-signal lamps (about 700,000) will be switched to LEDs in 2011, the Executive Yuan pointed out.
http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20090424PD200.html
Taipei Flash Storage Summit 2009
Organizer： JEDEC Co-organizer：
Sponsors： TSIA, ITRI
Date： Thursday, April 2nd, 2009
Venue： Grand Formosa Regent Taipei 41 Chung Shan N. Rd., Section 2 Taipei 104, Taiwan,
R.O.C Telephone: (886) (2) 2523-8000
Registration fee： Free
Contact Window： Julie Wu, TSIA TEL: +886-3-5913477
Details at: http://www.tsia.org.tw/Eng/activity/events_more.asp?qwy+0AqiqcNKlMt
Taiwan names green energy technology top priority
Green energy technologies will be top priority on the Taiwan government's list of new industries to promote, the island's president said Wednesday.
Like other places, Taiwan is looking for new areas to invest in for the future, and clean environmental technologies have become a popular target. The United States, Germany and Japan have all named green energy technologies as key investment areas and have been working to promote the use of energy saving devices including solar panels.
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou highlighted solar and LED technologies as two areas where the island has potential to lead competitors.
"Green energy is the No. 1 industry we want to promote," said Ma, at a conference in Taipei.
Clean energy-related industries in Taiwan produced $4.7 billion worth of goods last year, Ma said, and the government hopes to grow that figure to $14 billion by 2012.
Several companies in Taiwan have produced solar panels for years, including Motech Industries and E-Ton Solar. LED makers have also sprouted on the island, including Epistar and Everlight Electronics.
Groups from Taiwan have met with Chinese officials to discuss using LED in public areas, including street lights and elsewhere, to take advantage of the energy-saving aspect of the technology.
Taiwan's president listed several other target industries for the island. Among them were tourism, agriculture, healthcare and biotechnology. The government will seek ways to support the development of such industries by promoting their use in Taiwanese projects as well as through research grants and other measures.
The promotional plan is part of Taiwan's efforts to spur its economy to grow.
The global recession has been tough on the island. Taiwan's economy shrank 8.36% in the fourth quarter, among its worst performances ever, as exports plunged and investment dried up. The government has worked on an NT$500 billion ($14.6 billion) economic stimulus plan to help growth rebound.
courtesy http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/031809-taiwan-names-green-energy-technology.html?hpg1=bn
Taipei convention aims to better Taiwan-China PV cooperation
3/24/2009 - A Taiwan government-sponsored convention probing the possibility of cooperation between the local players in the photovoltaic (PV) industry players and their counterparts in China kicks off today in Taipei. The two-day event brings together about 550 participants from Taiwan's PV-related companies and about 100 others from China's, according to the sponsor, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).
The MOEA is positioning the convention as a bridge between Taiwan's and China's solar energy industries, with the hope that players from both sides will gear up exchange this year, start cooperation talks in 2010, and kick off substantial collaboration in 2011.
China's delegation was organized by the National Energy Administration under the National Development and Reform Commission, according to industry sources in Taiwan.
Courtesy http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20090324PD200.html
TAITRA: Taiwan's Green Tech Will Vitalize Auto & Accessories Show in Aril, 2009
2/2/2009 - Asia’s largest and most professional auto accessories and auto electronics trade show—The International Auto Parts & Accessories Show (Taipei AMPA) combined with Auto Tronics Taipei, 2009—will be grandly held on April 14-17 at TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall. This year the organizer, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), is going to orient the theme of Taipei AMPA toward current global economic and environmental situation, tied with the global energy issue—Focus on Green Tech & Alternative Power.
Up to the latest statistics estimated by TAITRA, there will be approximately 1,100 auto parts firms and around 2,700 stands to draw domestic or overseas buyers’ attention; much more than 51,700 purchasers in prediction. In order to create the utmost benefit towards both buyers and exhibitors, Taipei AMPA connects the related trade show—Taipei International Motorcycles Show, combining them all in one at the same place and the same duration for consumers to enjoy their visits and purchasing. Neither common visitors nor auto parts suppliers/traders shall not miss this grand occasion; Taipei AMPA in 2009 will absolutely green visitors' view with fresh eyes, the organizer proclaimed.
courtesy http://www.allproducts.com/PR/full_story_taitra.html
Hon Hai, IBM team up to develop green energy industry
Taipei, March 4 (CNA) Taiwan's Hon Hai Group entered into a partnership with IBM Corp. Wednesday with the aim of jointly making inroads into the "green" energy manufacturing industry. The Hon Hai Group, the world's largest contract maker of consumer electronics by revenue, signed an agreement with IBM and two of IBM's business partners -- Enterprise Information Management, Inc. (EIM) and C-Lock Technology -- on the formation of a technology and service alliance in the Asian-Pacific region for the research and development of environmentally friendly and energy-saving products and technologies.
Under the agreement, Hon Hai will be the exclusive agent in the Asian-Pacific region of GreenCert, a solution developed by IEM and a greenhouse gas meter designed and built based on the combination of the C-Lock engine and IBM software.
At the signing ceremony, Hon Hai founder and CEO Terry Gou said environmental protection is a task that must be carried out, regardless of business boom or recession.
"Even the global economic slump could be turned around by people's efforts to improve environmental protection," he contended.
Gou said initially, Hon Hai will invest over US$1 million to establish a company in the Kaohsiung Software Industrial Technology Park, southern Taiwan, which will eventually become a bedrock of the green energy industry in the Asian-Pacific region. It will follow up with incremental investments that will reach US$300-500 million in three to five years, he said.
"One or two locations in southern Taiwan will be selected as sites for 'intelligent cities' and will be made into Asia's 'model towns, ' where green energy will be used so as to cut greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment," Gou said.
The plan is a positive response to President Ma Ying-jeou and Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng's calls for an acceleration in southern Taiwan's development so as to balance the overall development of the country, he added.
Also at the ceremony, Mark Easton, vice president of sales, global e-market and supply chain for IBM, said IBM is pleased to choose Hon Hai as its business partner in the Asian-Pacific region for the green energy initiative, based on a long-term partnership and Hon Hai's advantageous business prospects in Asia.
Easton, who traveled from the United States to Taiwan specifically to sign the agreement, said the GreenCert solution can be used not only by corporations to save energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions, but can also be applied to build intelligent power systems, health passport systems and intelligent towns in the future.
courtesy http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=883080
CIGS Equipment, Taiwan
Taiwan-based NanWin Technology has unveiled turnkey equipment for the production of CIGS thin-film PV modules. Kenmec Mechanical Engineering and Gallant Precision Machining are also developing similar equipment solutions.
Press at DigiTimes: http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20090319PD202.html
Taiwan Solar Investments
Taiwan's Executive Yuan has proposed a 5-year budget of NT$30 billion specifically for financially sponsoring renewable energy R&D projects, with a focus on the solar energy and LED industries.
In line with the initiative, the National Science Council has decided to increase the status of R&D projects regarding solar energy or LEDs from an ordinary level to a national level beginning 2009, giving priority to such projects when applying for government funding, the sources pointed out.
The two main focuses of Taiwan's solar energy industry are that its energy conversion rates of 15-16% for polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) solar cells are lower than international levels of 17%, and self-sufficiency of poly-Si is low, the sources indicated.
Press at: http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20090318PD200.html
Taiwan thin-film PV equipment demand expected to emerge in 2010
Taiwan suppliers of equipment for the solar industry expect domestic demand to take off in 2010 when many of the island's thin-film photovoltaic (PV) module makers kick off volume production, according to industry sources.
AU Optronics (AUO), stepping into production of thin-film PV modules, has been negotiating with Taiwan-based makers for cooperation to develop manufacturing equipment of thin-film PV modules , the sources pointed out. Taiwan-based makers engaged in thin-film PV module equipment include Mirle Automation, Kenmec Mechanical Engineering, Gallant Precision Machining, Contrel Technology and Highlight Tech.
courtesy http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20090310PD201.html
Taiwan`s Energy Policy Gives Energy Saving Lamps a Boost
Taipei, Aug. 5, 2008 (CENS)--Taiwan government's energy-conservation policy will give a big boost to the island`s energy-saving lamp industry, in which many manufacturers have planned to begin volume production or sheer shipment some time this quarter.
The Executive Yuan, Taiwan`s Cabinet, recently announced it would replace all the island`s incandescent-type traffic lights with LED (light emitting diode) lamps in three years, and replace all the incandescent lamps currently serving throughout the island with energy-saving lamps in four years.
Industry watchers estimate local lamp-makers including China Electrical Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Delta Electronics Inc., Lite-On IT Corp., Topco Technologies Corp. and Willypower Optronics Corp. to be the primary beneficiaries of the energy policy.
They believe energy-saving lamps will first see business opportunities generated by the policy, which they say will fuel massive use of the lamps. China Electrical, currently Taiwan`s No.1 lamp maker, pointed out that the government policy would bring about huge market potential for energy-saving lighting fixtures and T5 fluorescent tubes. The uses of LED lamps, they added, would further help reduce energy consumption and CO2-gas emission.
In line with the policy, the lamp maker plans to branch into production of T5 lamps using its cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) technology. An automated production line calling for NT$300-400 million (US$10-13 million at US$1:NT$30) is on the drawing board.
Industry watchers estimate energy-saving lamps to be one of China Electrical`s major revenue earners this year.
Lite-On has acquired Philips` patented technology for making energy-saving lamps and entered into alliance with the heavyweight lamp maker to produce the lamps by becoming its contract supplier.
Lite-On has delivered its lamps to major customers including Philips for verifications. The company`s factory in Zhenjiang of the mainland Chinese province of Jiangsu will begin volume production of the lamps in September and its factory in Indonesia, whose output capacity is much bigger, will enter into volume production in July next year.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese industry watchers project the LED market to take off when LED starts entering into roadway lights and household lights in a big way. They think that LED has lower penetration in roadway-light market than in traffic-light market. They estimate local LED roadway-light industry to begin producing results only when all the lights on the island are changed to LED types. They add LED can make foray into household-lighting market only when the lamp`s price runs close to that of energy-saving lamp.
courtesy http://www.cens.com/cens/html/en/news/news_inner_24212.html
Taiwanese LCD Giant AUO Jumpstarts Thin-Film Solar Business
1/8/2009 - AU Optronics Corp., one of the world's largest LCD panel makers, is diving into the thin-film solar world with a plan to set up a pilot production line this year.
The Taiwanese company said its know-how in making thin-film transistor liquid crystal display panels would give it an edge in making solar panels. AUO (NYSE: AUO) announced its plan last week but didn't say in its press release which thin-film technology it would use.
But the company said it intends to use a third-generation thin-film technology that can convert more than 10 percent of sunlight into electricity, a description that matches the progress being made in the amorphous silicon thin-film field. Citing unnamed sources, DigiTimes reported that AUO plans to produce amorphous-silicon panels at its pilot plant in Taichung, in central Taiwan.
The solar energy business has attracted display panel makers and their suppliers because the processes for making the displays are similar to those making solar panels.
courtesy http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/taiwanese-lcd-giant-auo-jumpstarts-thin-film-solar-business-5471.html
President announces energy-saving program
The Presidential Office yesterday announced an energy-saving program to mark World Environment Day, hoping to set an example for the public and help advance President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) ambitious plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
“I know it is not easy, but we can try to accomplish it step by step,” Ma said. “About 98 percent of the country’s energy is imported. We can help make the country a better place if every individual makes a little contribution.”
Ma has pledged to keep carbon dioxide emissions to this year’s levels by 2020, to cut them to 2000’s levels by 2025 and then to half of 2000’s levels by 2050.
Although Taiwan is not a member of the UN, nor a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, Ma said the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions had reached a “horrifying” level. Taiwan had to take the matter seriously, he said, because the country could not afford economic sanctions if it were to become a UN member in the future and ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
In the meantime, Ma said he has proposed various measures to lower carbon dioxide emissions. One of them is to plant 60,000 hectares of forest in Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan counties. These forests would be used to conserve water, create theme parks and help reduce carbon emissions, he said. Industries emitting large amounts of greenhouse gases could help build the forest or adopt patches of it to offset the damage they do to the environment.
Pulling out a pair of recyclable chopsticks, a spoon and a fork from his pocket, Ma yesterday encouraged staffers at the Presidential Office to follow the 10 energy-saving guidelines set by his office.
“The nation’s leader and its government must set an example to the public,” he said.
Except for important occasions, male staffers have been advised to ditch their suits and ties. All staffers have been encouraged to use less air conditioning and open the windows, turn off the lights after work, use public transport or ride a bicycle to work, take the stairs rather than using the elevator, eat locally produced food and more vegetables, reject products with excessive packaging, use recycled products and to recycle resources and to use recyclable chopsticks, cups, bowls, shopping bags and handkerchiefs.
courtesy http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/06/06/2003414008