TSMC Solar Engages CIGS Expert Dr. Rommel Noufi
TAICHUNG, May 30, 2014 – TSMC Solar today announced the engagement of Dr. Rommel Noufi in a long-term consulting capacity, to augment its CIGS R&D program.
Dr. Noufi is a 33-year veteran of the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) where he was Principal Scientist and lead the team driving CIGS and CdTe cell research. He has authored over 190 publications and has 8 patents.
TSMC Solar has a track record of R&D achievement, having produced a TUV-SUD verified, 15.7% efficient module with production equipment on its production line in mid-2013. The company is currently expanding its capacity from 40MW to reach 120MW in Q4 of this year.
Commenting on the decision to engage Dr. Noufi, TSMC Solar President Ying-Chen Chao said, “Dr. Noufi played a key role in the development of CIGS as a leading photovoltaic material. The addition of his deep CIGS experience to our R&D effort puts us on solid footing to maintain our rapid improvement of module efficiency over the next several years.”
Dr. Noufi sees great potential for CIGS efficiency improvements, “CIGS efficiencies in the lab have reached 20.9%, with a clear path to achieving 23%. With its strong R&D, manufacturing and equipment engineering skill set TSMC Solar is uniquely equipped to develop this potential and bring it into production.”
About TSMC Solar
TSMC Solar is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TSMC (NYSE: TSM), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Inc., the acknowledged semiconductor dedicated foundry segment leader with market capitalization exceeding $100 billion. TSMC’s solar business was founded in May 2009 and is headquartered in Taichung, Taiwan, with regional sales offices in Hamburg, Germany and San Jose, California.
For more information please go to www.tsmc-solar.com.
