TSMC Solar Commercial-size Modules (1.09 Square Meters) Set 15.1% Efficiency Record

TAICHUNG, Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- TSMC Solar Ltd. today announced confirmation by both TUV SUD and UL that its commercial-sized (1.09 square meters) champion CIGS module has achieved 15.1% module total area efficiency. The champion module sets a new world record for monolithic thin-film module efficiency, and was produced using the current manufacturing equipment and materials at the company's manufacturing facility in Taichung, Taiwan.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130131/HK49967 )

"In just one year, our process technology has made great progress. Our champion modules now have comparable module efficiency to mainstream multi-crystalline silicon modules, demonstrating TSMC Solar's ability to realize the high-efficiency potential of our CIGS technology. Our technology's superior competitiveness comes from its high efficiency, excellent high temperature performance and intrinsic cost structure advantages," said Ying-Chen Chao, President of TSMC Solar.

"Customers appreciate our ability to continuously improve module efficiency. In addition, TS CIGS Series modules deliver up to 5% additional energy yield over crystalline silicon in high temperature regions," said Stephen McKenery, TSMC Solar Worldwide Sales Head.

About TSMC Solar

TSMC Solar Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Inc. (NYSE: TSM), the acknowledged semiconductor dedicated foundry segment leader with market capitalization exceeding US$90 billion. TSMC's solar business was founded in May 2009 and is headquartered in Taichung, Taiwan, with regional sales offices in Hamburg, Germany; San Jose, California and Boston, Massachusetts.

For more information, please go to www.tsmc-solar.com.