TSMC, CENTROSOLAR Sign Solar Module Deal
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) announced that it has signed an agreement to designate CENTROSOLAR Group AG of Germany as the exclusive European supplier of photovoltaic modules for its crystalline solar cells.
According to the agreement, CENTROSOLAR will build TSMC's solar cells into its modules for TSMC, which will market the finished products under its brand name. The European supplier is contracted to supply 100 megawatt-peak (WMp) of modules a year in the initial stage. Both companies agree not to make public the financial terms of the manufacturing agreement.
CENTROSOLAR will build manufacturing capacity in a new production building adjacent to its plant in Wismar, Germany, and the first deliveries under the agreement are due in the third quarter of 2011.
The construction of a new production hall and warehouse in Wismar will enable CENTROSOLAR to increase its capacity from currently 200 MWp to up to 500 MWp per year in line with demand.
"We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with CENTROSOLAR and to offer a true premium module as our first product, and we look forward to closer collaboration in the future," said Ying-Chen Chao, Senior Director in charge of TSMC's solar PV business. "This agreement with CENTROSOLAR complements our efforts in developing thin-film solar products, as it allows us to address a broader range of market segments and serve our European customers together with another trusted name."
"This agreement proves that we are perhaps the most efficient and highest-quality manufacturer of solar modules in Europe," remarked Dr. Alexander Kirsch, CEO of CENTROSOLAR. "It also demonstrates that it is possible to keep manufacturing premium modules in Germany on a long-term competitive basis," continued Kirsch.
According to the agreement, the two companies will continue talks on future collaborations in the areas of product development and process engineering.