Mainland China IC foundry Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) recently reported that it will start volume production of solar cells in April, with recycled wafers used as materials for the products.
Richard Chang, SMIC president and CEO, commented in a statement that the company accrued more than 300,000 recyclable wafers, which will be enough low-cost material supply for manufacturing solar cells.
Chang added that production of solar cells in the region might see a continuous development since the country has sufficient supply of quartz, which is a key component in producing silicon wafers.
In related news, SMIC is optimistic of the IC business this year. The company revealed that it expects profits to rise in the second half of the year as its expenses from amortization and depreciation were significantly reduced. The semiconductor company is also slated to begin volume production in the 90nm processes next quarter and release samples from its 65nm processes by yearend.
