Taiwan, Mainland China Hold Talks on Photovoltaic Cooperation

Solar energy manufacturers, photovoltaic scientists and energy regulators from Taiwan and mainland China meet in Taipei today and tomorrow to explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the development of clean energy.

Around 600 solar energy specialists from both sides of the Taiwan Strait attend the two day seminar, which is reportedly the largest ever addressing photovoltaic industry across the Taiwan Straits. Dignitaries from the mainland include National Development and Reform Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Guobao and top executives of the mainland`s photovoltaic manufacturers including Chairman Shi Zhengrong of Wuxi Suntech Power Co Ltd, Chairman Gao Jifan of Trina Solar Co Ltd, Chief Executive Officer Ding Qiang of Baoding Tianwei Group Co Ltd and Vice President Wang Hodong of Yingli Green Energy Holding Co Ltd.

Taiwan`s significant attendees include Director General HC Yeh of the Energy Bureau under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Director General CW Lan of Photovoltaics Technology Center under the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and Chairman Simon Tsuo of Motech Solar Co Ltd.

The seminar results from Taiwan`s national policy of liberalizing mainland Chinese investment in the domestic solar energy industry. Taiwan government has made photovoltaic industry one of the six top industries for priority development to revitalize Taiwan`s economy.

Participants hold talks on issues including photovoltaic industry policy, technology trend and standard setting. Also, they will seek a win-win strategy for the industry of both sides of the straits, setting stage for substantial cooperation beginning 2011.

Taiwan`s industry watchers pointed out that this meeting is the first phase of the interchange of Taiwan`s and the mainland`s photovoltaic industries. The interchange will enter into second phase next year and third phase in 2011, when substantial cooperation will happen.

They noted photovoltaic industries on the two sides of the straits have long competed with each other and now they need to work together on a complementary basis. Taiwanese manufacturers concede the mainland is advantageous over Taiwan in the development thanks to its abundant deposits of materials for crystalline wafers and its sizable market. However, Taiwan`s semiconductor and flat panel industries are far ahead of the mainland`s in technological advance, offering the island a solid foundation for development of solar devices like wafers, cells and modules.

Source: CENS