Solar wafer maker Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS) and solar cell producer Solartech Energy on October 28 announced plans to establish a solar wafer and cell joint venture, with the Taiwan-based companies each controlling a 45% stake. The other 10% share will be held by the personal investment firm of Cher Wang, chairman of smartphone vendor HTC.

The new company will have a paid-in capital of NT$4 billion (US$130.87 million), and initial capacities for solar wafers and cells are expected to both reach 1GW. The manufacturing facilities are scheduled to go online in the first half of 2011 and begin volume production around the end of 2011 or 2012.

SAS president Doris Hsu pointed out that the joint venture is an independent company, and will not affect SAS' commitment and agreements with other solar cell customers.