TSMC begins building solar R&D center and fab in Central Taiwan

TAICHUNG, TAIWAN: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd broke ground in Taichung’s Central Taiwan Science Park on the company's first thin film solar R&D center and fab, laying the foundation for the company’s entry into the thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) market.

Dr. Morris Chang, TSMC's chairman and CEO, said: "TSMC's New Businesses team has reached many important milestones since it was formed last year, first with our LED facility in Hsinchu, and now with construction in Taichung on our first solar facility. Our solar and LED businesses will not only bolster TSMC's revenue and profit growth in the coming decades, they also play a key role in TSMC's corporate social responsibility by making products that support a greener earth.

"In addition, construction of this solar R&D center and fab, along with our Fab 15 Gigafab next to it, means Taichung’s Central Taiwan Science Park will become home to much of TSMC's most advanced and innovative production."

"TSMC has always been committed to technology leadership, and our solar business will be no different," said Dr. Rick Tsai, TSMC president of New Businesses. "The research performed at this R&D center will help us achieve our goal of offering a leading thin-film solution and the production at this fab, drawing on TSMC's wealth of manufacturing know-how, will pave the way for us to become a top provider of solar PV modules."

TSMC plans to invest US$258 million for the first phase of the thin film solar R&D center and fab, which is scheduled for equipment move-in in the second quarter of 2011 and achieve initial volume production of 200MW (megawatts) per year in thin-film photovoltaic modules in 2012.

TSMC also plans to add a second phase to the facility and expand production to more than 700MW, employing about 2,000 total staff in the facility. In addition, the R&D center in the facility will continue to develop the CIGS technology licensed from Stion in June of this year. TSMC will offer its solar products around the world under its own brand.

Basic information regarding thin film solar R&D center and fab:
- Total area of site: 5.2 hectares.
- Building area: 110,000 square meters.
- Production area: 78,000 square meters.