Unitech PCB, Big Sun Energy and Sintek Focus on Solar Cell Production

Taipei, May 14, 2008 (CENS)--Actively engaged in production of solar cells, the Taiwan-based Unitech Printed Circuit Board Cop., Big Sun Energy Technology Inc. and Sintek Photronic Corp. all plan to continue focusing on solar cell production and development in Letzer Industrial Park of Yilan County, northeaster Taiwan, according to company sources.

Letzer Industrial Park management said that the park has successfully signed on investment valued at NT$104.5 billion by the end of the first quarter of this year, with more than NT$800 billion from solar cell makers. Optimistically, the park is expected to become Taiwan's major supply base for solar cells soon.

Unitech PCB, a large-sized maker of PCBs in Taiwan, has activated its 30-megawatt production line on a trial basis as the leading supplier of this kind in the park, and is scheduled to start delivery in May. Company executives say that its production line is fully booked until the end of this year. The firm is also planning to set up its second and third lines.

Unitech PCB expects its sales of solar cells to contribute about NT600 million to the total this year, and plans to expand the existing production capacity to 90 megawatt in the second half of next year. Besides, the firm has already signed short-term contracts with several suppliers to secure stable supply of raw materials in the next three years, and has rented 10 hectares of land in Letzer Industrial Park.

Moreover, Lezter Industrial Park management has recently signed on Big Sun Energy and Sintek to set up plants in the park. Sintek has rented 4.2 hectare of land for production of thin-film solar cells, and planned a production line of between 25 and 30 megawatt of solar cells initially. The company turned profitable in the first quarter of this year, with net profits of NT$0.68 per share, and is expected to quickly prosper in the field due mainly to its existing know-how in optoelectronic products.

Noteworthy is that Sintek's move to locate its plant in Letzer Industrial Park will help to form an integral supply chain for the solar energy sector there, as the company is to turn out thin-film solar cells as an upstream supplier in the park.