SAS of Taiwan has always been one of the major suppliers for high-efficiency multi-Si wafers. The company will mainly promote black silicon and R wafer in 2017, hoping to stimulate the visibility of black silicon. Meanwhile, SAS will continue to put effort in its downstream power plant business through the new established company – Tai Xu Energy Technology. Looking ahead for the PV industry trend in 2017, SAS will focus on producing black silicon and R wafers, in which R wafer has high hardness, low fragmentation rate, and high conversion efficiency, which will be a major product for SAS this year. Analyst of EnergyTrend indicated that SAS has always been one of the major suppliers for high-efficiency multi-Si wafers. The company is taking the lead in launching new wafer products. “The supply chain will think over the price this year. R wafer can help cell manufacturers to lower fragmentation rate. On the other hand, black silicon wafers that can significantly reduce cost will become more popular. SAS is not falling behind in this area,” analyst of EnergyTrend said. SAS indicated that they can still maintain the price of high-efficiency products at a certain level in January 2017, but they face greater pressure in wafer sales in 2017 due to the price rebound of wafers and cells in 4Q16. The price pressure highlights the market advantage of high-efficiency products. 
On the other hand, SAS and Cathay Life signed a joint venture agreement to establish the new company – Tai Xu Energy Technology in January 2017. SAS holds 30% of the stake and the investment goal is domestic PV manufacturers. Power plants invested by Tai Xu Energy Technology will firstly use SAS’s high-efficiency wafers, cells, and modules.
Analyst of EnergyTrend indicated that SAS has a complete blueprint for vertically integration. They are promoting high-efficiency mono-Si PERC products from wafer to cell and to module sectors and even systems.
For semiconductor silicon wafer, GlobalWafers, in which SAS holds 58% of the stake, acquired SunEdison Semiconductor in August 2016. Its goal is to turn losses around in 2017. Although the market sees strong demand, the company will not consider expanding at this point.
(Photo Credit: SAS Official Website)