E-Solar, a Japan-based PV module joint-venture maker established by Taiwan-based solar-grade polycrystalline silicon wafer maker Eversol and Japan-based PV system installation undertaker West Holdings, is likely to expand its annual production capacity from 50MWp currently to 150MWp, according to Eversol chairman Kuo Yen-ting.

Mainly because the US Department of Commerce will decide on preliminary anti-dumping tariff rates to be imposed on PV products imported from China and Taiwan on July 24, China-based PV module makers have drastically decreased orders released to Taiwan-based solar cell makers, Kuo said. Consequently, Taiwan-based makers have lowered quotes for solar cells and allowed E-Solar to lower its module production cost, Kuo said.

Due to consideration of preliminary anti-dumping tariff rates, some exporters of PV modules to the US market have shifted orders from China-based makers to E-Solar, Kuo indicated. In addition, some China-based PV module makers and Taiwan-based solar cell makers, in a bid to minimize the impact of anti-dumping taxation, have asked E-Solar about strategic cooperation through investment in joint-venture production of PV modules, Kuo added.

E-Solar, after settling on orders and selecting strategic partners, will begin to expand production capacity, Kuo said.