Amid the global push toward net-zero transition, solar technology is playing an increasingly critical role. The Energy Resilience Program at DSET earlier published a policy report titled A Brighter Future: Prospects for Europe–Taiwan Cooperation in Next-Generation Solar, offering strategic analysis and policy recommendations on third-generation solar technologies. Building on this work, a related article by DSET Research Assistant Yu-Ping Yang was recently featured in a joint special issue of Taiwan Insight, a publication of the University of Nottingham, and CHOICE (China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe), a Prague-based think tank. The article calls for deeper Taiwan–EU collaboration to build a resilient solar photovoltaic supply chain and to safeguard the strategic autonomy of both sides.
Yang highlights that China currently accounts for over 80% of the world’s solar panel manufacturing capacity and has invested more than USD 50 billion in solar production since 2011—far outpacing Europe’s investments during the same period. This high level of market concentration poses a structural risk to Europe’s net-zero ambitions and underscores the urgency of establishing a diversified and resilient alternative supply chain.
While China retains a dominant position in the current silicon-based solar panel market, perovskite solar cells (PSC)—which are not based on silicon—offer Europe an opportunity to reconfigure its strategic position and strengthen supply chain resilience. PSC technology reduces reliance on Chinese silicon-processing capabilities and avoids the volatility and scarcity associated with critical materials such as silver.
In this technological shift, Taiwan has demonstrated a clear first-mover advantage. Yang notes that Taiwan Perovskite Science and Technology (TPSC), in collaboration with the Measurement Center at the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), has achieved a power conversion efficiency of 33.5%. Taiwan has also developed a solid foundation in key production techniques, including wet coating, layer assembly, and module integration.
Yang further explains that Taiwan not only possesses a vertically integrated supply chain and advanced PSC R&D capabilities, but also brings decades of experience in industrial collaboration with European partners. Through models such as turnkey project exports, patent licensing, and contract manufacturing, Taiwan is well-positioned to support localized production in Europe, contribute to green job creation, and align with the objectives of the EU’s 2024 Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA). The NZIA aims to boost domestic clean technology manufacturing capacity and sets a clear target of meeting at least 40% of annual deployment needs with EU-made products by 2030.
Yang emphasizes that, as concerns grow across Europe about overreliance on China for critical materials and clean technologies, the imperative to build diversified and resilient international partnerships becomes ever more urgent. Taiwan’s strengths in PSC innovation and flexible manufacturing can help fill key gaps in Europe’s clean tech policy framework. A joint approach combining green technology development with geopolitical risk mitigation would allow Taiwan and the EU to promote strategic autonomy, diversify clean energy partnerships, and lay a stable foundation for a sustainable energy transition.
