The photovoltaic (PV) subsidiary of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) yesterday said it is now producing solar modules with the copper, indium, gallium, selenide (CIGS) technology and is ready to ship out the first batch of products in April.

The modules have been certified by UL, an international safety science company, and the International Electrotechnical Commission, and the 130-watt module is now certified by the California Energy Commission, TSMC said.

TSMC in September 2010 broke ground for its PV production and R&D facility, which is divided into two phases.

The first phase with a price tag of US$258 million (S$326 million) is now operational and aims to achieve annual capacity of 200 megawatts. The second phase aims to have capacity of over 700MW.

Together some 2,000 jobs will be created for the effort.

The solar plant uses the CIGS technology that TSMC got from Stion. According to TSMC, it will market the products to the rest of the world under the company's own brand.

According to Chao Ying-cheng, TSMC PV president, the certification by UL and IEC will allow TSMC to sell its products to most parts of the world. TSMC will also work to get certifications in local markets to widen the products' reach, he said.