Recently, Taiwan`s top-two LED makers, Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd. and Epistar Corp., decided to jointly set up a dedicated photovoltaic (CPV) solar power plant in southern Taiwan, the first of its kind in Asia.

Everlight`s CPV-cell subsidiary, Everphoton Energy Co., said manufacturing process of CPV cells is similar to the process for making LEDs, justifying their decision to venture into the new business. Everphoton will lead the project. Everphoton`s executives pointed out that initial investment is around NT$100-200 million. The power plant is estimated to begin to supply power some time in the first half next year, putting out 200 KW of electricity in first stage and 350 KW in the first year of the plant`s operation. They said the company was assessing locations in Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingdong in southern Taiwan for the plant, adding that the power plant would integrate the island`s top-notch compound-semiconductor makers to cluster around the power plant, generating revenue over NT$100 billion (US$3.3 billion).