This paper describes the various aspects of photovoltaic developments in Taiwan, which include applications of space and terrestrial solar cells, solar cell production and research on advanced thin-film solar cell materials. The advanced materials are hydrogenated polycrystalline silicon films deposited at low substrate temperatures and ternary chalcopyrite films with the potential for intrinsically stable and ultra-high-efficiency solar cells having a conversion efficiency in the vicinity of AMI 35%. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.