Major China-based solar wafer makers reportedly have contacted Taiwan-based fellow makers about the possibility of mergers. Taiwan-based makers, due to continued operating losses arising from low product prices, may agree, according to industry sources.

GCL-Poly Energy Holdings, the largest China-based solar wafer maker, is expanding annual production capacity from 8GWp to 10GWp in 2014, a level sufficient to meet the total demand from Taiwan-based solar cell makers, the sources indicated. In order to strengthen relations with Taiwan-based solar cell makers, GCL-Poly is considering merging with Taiwan-based makers, the sources claimed.

However, some Taiwan-based solar wafer makers think that although they are unable to compete with big China-based makers in production capacity and operational scale, they can capitalize on their advantage of more efficient production management, enabling their business for the niche market.