Applying Data Envelopment Analysis to Evaluation of Taiwanese Solar Cell Industry Operational Performance

In the Taiwanese solar power industry, the upstream industry's lack of silicon raw materials and the downstream's underdeveloped systematic manufacturing status have led industrial development to continue concentrating on cell and module research and development manufacturing and production. Taiwan's solar power industry has developed midstream cell manufacturers holding a share of the global market. The research period for this study was between 2010 and 2011. This study constructed a performance evaluation model by using data envelopment analysis for the solar cell industry to assist relevant manufacturers in the Taiwanese solar power industry in formulating operational strategies; guidelines on future development in the industry have been recommended.