Taiwan-based crystalline silicon solar cell makers have been faced with pressure of lowering quotes from PV module firms in Europe and Japan who are asking for price reductions to cope with depreciation of the euro and Japanese yen, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

Taiwan-based makers have seen booming orders for polysilicon solar cells with energy conversion rates of at least 17.8%, with such high-efficiency solar cells accounting for 40-60% of their total output, the sources said. Currently, Taiwan-based makers' production capacity utilization ranges from 80-100%, the sources indicated.

For polysilicon solar cells, Taiwan-based makers quote US$0.32/W on average currently and are expected to maintain the price level, the sources said.