new solar cell plant in Malaysia

On May 27, 2010 approved plans to jointly set up a high-efficiency Poly solar cell plant in Malaysia with US-based Sunpower.AUO has been quite active since its foray into the solar module manufacturing sector.AUO is also cooperating with solar installation companies in Germany, and expanding solar module capacity. It recently constructed a solar cell plant with a capacity of 300MWp also.

The AUO-Sunpower alliance is seen as highly complementary for both sides. AUO has found an entry into high-efficiency solar cell manufacturing.

However, higher conversion rates translate to higher production costs, which is one of the reasons Sunpower has turned in performances below market expectations despite a ferocious demand rebound since 1999.

In return for sharing its intellectual property, Sunpower is hoping AUO's experience in volume production can improve its cost control, the sources said. Sunpower currently has 600MWp of capacity for high-efficiency solar cells.

 The move sent shockwaves through the sector since Sunpower is considered the vanguard in high-efficiency solutions.

Industry watchers believe AUO's acquisition of M.Setek also played a key role in the alliance.