Chinese Government Grants Operation License to Solar Cell Production Facility in Shandong Province

The Chinese government has granted an operation license for a solar cell production facility in Shandong Province in mainland China. It is the first solar power facility in the mainland to secure permission for operation.

The production plant is partly owned by Taiwan-based United Microelectronics (UMC). However, the Taiwanese government is yet to approve the investment, according to UMC.

The solar cell plant is built at an initial investment of RMB1 billion. The overall loading capacity of the facility is 30 TW and 18 TW has already been deployed. Through its wholly owned venture capital firm, UMC has a 30% stake in the plant. The province’s Jining City government owns the remaining stake in the facility.

Once completed, the factory will be considered as the largest solar cell production facility in Asia to utilize thin-film photovoltaic technology. Recently, UMC has changed its investment strategy from silicon foundry to green power markets such as photovoltaic products and LED products in order to earn more profits.