Delta Electronics Expands Deployments in Ecological Technology Sectors

Taipei, Feb. 10, 2006 (CENS)--As part of its plan to expand deployments in ecological-technology sectors, Delta Electronics Inc. will weigh in with its fuel-cell business this year after successfully migrating to producing solar cells and mercury-free backlight-modules, according to the company' s chairman, Bruce Cheng.

Delta, which started business as a producer of power supplies for various electrical appliances, has been working with Taiwan' s military-sponsored Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology on fuel-cell technology.

The two organizations have unveiled prototypes of low-powered cells for use in radios in military trucks, wireless equipment, notebook computers, and consumer electronics. These preliminary successes will lay a foundation for the company' s entry into volume production of the product.

Fuel cells are touted as the stellar energy source of the 21st century and are considered likely candidates to replace some other energy sources because of their high power efficiency and extremely low pollution. The technology is also expected to emerge as a mainstream electrical-power source for portable gadgets such as mobile phones and MP3 players.

Fuel cells produce electricity from an external fuel supply of hydrogen and oxygen instead of the limited internal storage capacity of a battery. Additionally, the electrodes within a battery react and erode as a battery is charged or discharged, whereas a fuel cell' s electrodes are catalytic and relatively stable.

Around two years ago, the government-backed Industrial Technology Research Institue (ITRI) co-introduced Taiwan' s first one-kilowatt fuel-cell power system developed by several local enterpises, including Tatung Corp. and Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Technologies Ltd.

Delta' s solar-cell venture, Delsolar Co., Ltd., entered volume production late last year. Output of the venture will double to 500, 000 megawatts after a new production line begins operation in April this year. Cheng expected the solar-cell business to begin making money in first half of this year because, contrary to expectations, there has been no supply shortage of silicon materials for the cells, and production yields at the factory have been greater than expected.

His company' s mercury-free backlight-module factory has recently entered a pilot run and is scheduled to begin volume production next year.

Delta and its affiliates reported combined revenue of NT$80.8 billion (US$2.5 billion at US$1:NT$32) last year, surging 43% from a year earlier.