The Solar Revolution Under the Global Energy Transition: Technological Innovations Leading Taiwan's Sustainable Future

The global energy structure is undergoing a seismic shift. In response to climate change and the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, countries are accelerating their adoption of renewable energy. In 2022, Taiwan officially announced its "2050 Net-Zero Emissions Pathway and Strategy," setting a target for renewable energy to account for 60% to 70% of total power generation. Against this backdrop, how Taiwan's solar technology adapts to global demands while fostering domestic innovation has become a key industry focus.

At this year’s Energy Taiwan and Net-Zero Taiwan exhibitions, the Global Energy & Sustainability Alliance (GESA) under SEMI organized the "Solar Photovoltaic Technology Forum." The forum brought together industry experts to discuss global and Taiwan-specific solar technology trends, offering rich technical insights and forward-looking perspectives.

Key Technologies Driving Renewable Energy: Smart Energy Management

As large-scale renewable energy deployment advances, smart energy management systems and high-efficiency solar technologies are becoming critical enablers of energy transition. These systems not only focus on energy generation but also enhance storage and efficiency, crucial for maintaining stable power supply.

Lin Hong-Yang, Director of Energy Materials Development at AUO, emphasized, "Future energy management systems must not only focus on power generation but also include improvements in energy storage and efficiency." With the maturation of smart grids and microgrid technologies, power systems are becoming more stable and adaptable to fluctuating demand. This evolution will expand energy management from industrial applications to everyday life, fully realizing a smart energy lifestyle.

Meanwhile, advancements in solar cell technology are improving photovoltaic conversion efficiency, following a trajectory similar to Moore's Law in the semiconductor industry. Chairman Liao Guo-Rong of Gintech Energy predicted, "In the next decade, the combination of perovskite and TOPCon technologies is expected to achieve power conversion efficiencies of 35% to 40%." He added, "As solar cell efficiency continues to improve, solar power costs will decline further, eventually making it cheaper than industrial electricity prices." Integrating solar power with diverse applications will significantly enhance land-use efficiency, strengthening solar energy’s role as a robust pillar of global energy transition.

The Promising Future of Perovskite and Floating Solar Technologies

As global demand for renewable energy surges, emerging technologies are gaining attention. Among them, perovskite solar technology and floating solar systems are seen as key innovations for maximizing energy generation and addressing resource constraints.

Perovskite Technology is hailed as a revolutionary breakthrough in next-generation solar technology, offering high efficiency, lightweight design, transparency, and the ability to generate power in low-light conditions. Chen Lai-Zhu, Chairman of Taiwan's Perovskite R&D and Industry Alliance, stated, "Although perovskite technology currently faces challenges in durability and manufacturing, future breakthroughs will resolve these issues and integrate with existing solar technologies to significantly enhance power conversion efficiency." Chen predicts that by 2028–2030, perovskite technology will achieve commercialization, with conversion efficiencies reaching 40%, profoundly impacting the global solar market.

Floating Solar Technology (FPV) addresses land scarcity and is particularly suitable for regions with abundant water surfaces. Wang Yi-Ching, General Manager of Ciel & Terre Taiwan, noted, "Floating solar not only overcomes land constraints but also improves power generation efficiency, showcasing great potential on water surfaces." He highlighted innovations in typhoon-resistant designs and system stability, which are particularly critical for regions like Taiwan, which face challenges from climate change.

Wang added, "Within the next decade, floating solar technology will see large-scale adoption and become a major driver of renewable energy." He also expressed optimism about Taiwan leveraging its technological advantages to become a leader in the Asia-Pacific region.

GESA Unites Public and Private Sectors to Promote Green Energy Development

The forum also explored critical issues such as cybersecurity and sustainability in solar systems. Su Yi-Li, Senior Technical Marketing Manager at SolarEdge, pointed out that as solar systems expand in scale, safety risks are increasing. SolarEdge's multi-layer cybersecurity solutions effectively address these risks, ensuring system stability. Meanwhile, Tan Wan-Chiang, Partner at ERM Group, stressed the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risk management in attracting investment and ensuring project sustainability.

Through its GESA alliance, SEMI aims to connect government and industry for ongoing green energy policy and technology exchanges. By integrating the strengths of Taiwan’s public, private, and academic sectors, SEMI promotes the growth and refinement of solar technologies. Taiwan, driven by continuous innovation and breakthroughs in renewable energy technology, is poised to play an increasingly critical role in the global energy transition. It is steadily progressing toward a net-zero future, positioning itself as a leader in global renewable energy technologies.

(Cover image source: SEMI; Information source: SEMI)