Taipei, Dec. 15 (CAN) Motech Industries, Inc., a Taiwan-based solar cell maker, said Wednesday it has been accepted as a member by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), becoming the first Taiwanese solar company to join the group.
According to Motech, the EPIA is the world's largest industry association devoted to the development of the solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity market.
Its main priority is to assist its members in developing their businesses in the European Union and promoting exports in other markets.
"We are taking this opportunity to gain a greater understanding and increase our involvement in the policies that have and will continue to shape this market," said Motech CEO P.H. Chang in a statement.
"In addition, our membership in the EPIA assures our worldwide partners of our continued presence in the market," Chang said.
Motech's admission into the association follows its establishment of a representative office in Europe at the beginning of this year to provide better service and support to its customers there.
Motech said the opening of the office demonstrated its intention to pay closer attention to its global customers, and the company credited the move with helping it gain admission into the EPIA.
The company has seen its fortunes improve this year, posting NT$2.80 billion (US$93.70 million) in net profit in the first nine months, compared with a net loss of NT$387 million recorded during the same period a year earlier.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world's largest contract chip maker, currently holds about a 20 percent stake in Motech as part of its efforts to diversify into the renewable energy sector.
(By Maranda Hsu and Frances Huang)
Source: CNA
