Taiwan sees huge market for solar energy

The Taiwan government sees massive growth in its solar energy industry, forecasting the total value to hit $12.5 billion in 2015, compared to $652 million in 2006, according to a Taipei Times report.

The report quoted the Ministry of Economic Affairs Bureau of Energy as saying that Taiwan's External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) expects the nation to account for 7 percent of the global solar-power generation equipment by 2015.

According to TAITRA, the ministry has designated solar energy as a strategic industry for Taiwan. To government will assist in building a complete industrial chain for solar energy, from the production of silicon materials and crystals, through midstream photovoltaic (PV) modules and batteries, to PV system applications.