While Taiwan-based crystalline silicon solar cell makers have been generally shifting to, or increasing production of, monocrystalline solar cells to meet growing demand, Taiwan-based solar-grade crystalline silicon wafer makers are considerably unwilling to invest in producing monocrystalline silicon wafers, according to industry sources.
Demand for PV modules made up of P-type monocrystalline solar cells is on the rise in Japan and Europe, the sources indicated. However, most Taiwan-based solar-grade polycrystalline silicon wafer makers have suffered operating losses for a while and are financially unable to invest in the new production equipment they would need to produce monocrystalline models, the sources said.
In addition, even if they can invest in production, they are unable to compete with China-based makers in price, the sources indicated, because China-based makers' production costs for solar-grade monocrystalline silicon wafers are relatively low due to government support and/or subsidies, the sources explained.