TSMC has made a major move into the solar cell supply chain and is taking an equity shareholding in solar cell manufacturer Motech Industries.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is paying approximately $193m for the 20% stake which will make the semiconductor foundry Motech's largest shareholder.
Taiwan-based Motech is a solar cell manufacturer with facilities in Taiwan and China. It has in-house ingot and wafer capabilities 
and a majority investment in polysilicon production via advanced fluidised bed reactor technology.
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Motech is Taiwan’s largest supplier of photovoltaic systems and photovoltaic inverters.
“With the investment, TSMC intends 
to leverage Motech’s established platform to accelerate our time to market, better evaluate opportunities along the solar value chain, and further formulate our overall solar strategy,” said Dr. Rick Tsai, president of TSMC new businesses.
“TSMC’s investment affirms Motech’s competitive position in the solar industry,” said Dr. Simon Tsuo, chairman and CEO of Motech.