UMC solar cell arm to up capacity

TAIPEI, TAIWAN: Solar cell maker Topcell Solar International has seen order visibility to the end of 2011, and is looking to expand its annual capacity to 450MWp in early 2011 and further to 800MWp by the third quarter of the year, say sources.

According to China Post, under the expansion plan, Topcell is expected to boost its annual production capacity to 450 MW (megawatts) at the beginning of 2011 from the current 150 MW and to further raise the volume to 800 MW in the third quarter of that year.

Topcell, in which UMC, the world's second-largest microchip maker, owns a 60 per cent stake, officially became operational that same day after a trial production period that started in late August. An opening ceremony for a Topcell manufacturing site in northern Taiwan was held on September 16. On the same day the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) broke ground for a solar module fab in central Taiwan, the report added.

Topcell’s facility now has an annual capacity of 150MWp, and is fully booked through the end of 2011, say sources. The sources also said that the market for solar cells follows seasonal patterns. They say that although demand during the first quarter of 2011 may be slow, it was very likely to pick up in the third quarter due to the peak season's approach.

Market sources point out that Topcell, which is relatively new in the market, has been expanding its capacity at a fast pace, following its equipment move-in in July. The sources say that Topcell is expected to boost its annual capacity to between 300MWp and 400MWp by the end of 2010.