Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will set up a rooftop PV solar system at the phase-four section of its Fab 14 12-inch wafer foundry in the Southern Taiwan Science Park, according to Rick Tsai, president of TSMC new business division.

The system will be based on crystalline silicon cells produced by Motech Industries and the electricity generated will be for its own use and sold to state-run Taiwan Power Company as well, Tsai indicated.

Though Tsai did not reveal the scale of the solar system, industry observers believe that it will likely be small due to government regulations requiring solar systems larger than 500KW to register as an electricity company. TSMC currently has no plans to operate solar power plants, Tsai said.

Since TSMC became Motech's largest investor with a 20% stake, the Fab 14 project marks the two companies first cooperation in solar system installation.