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A new and detailed bottom-up analysis of the polysilicon industry by GTM Research further supports growing consensus that polysilicon prices will continue to set record lows in 2012 as they did in 2011 as overcapacity continues. Lower silicon prices in 2012 will likely lead to even lower c-Si module prices and force higher-cost poly producers to exit the market.
MEMC has been forced to lower fourth quarter revenue guidance, just over a month after revisions were made as the company announced a major restructuring effort due to lower than expected PV project interconnections carried out by project developer subsidiary, SunEdison. MEMC revised revenue to be in the range of US$698 million to US$733 million, compared to December, 2011 guidance of between US$789 million to US$861 million.
Citing growing world demand for environmentally-friendly production equipment cleaning gases within the flat panel display and silicon thin-film photovoltaic industries, Solvay and Air Liquide have formed a joint venture to provide onsite fluorine production. The partners claim to be able to offer significant economic benefits based on Solvay’s modular fluorine production technology.
Just a week after announcing that its new European distribution centre had been completed, Dow Corning has advised that its Solar Energy Exploration and Development (SEED) facility in Belgium has also reached completion. The SEED centre includes a solar application centre and a silicone synthesis technology centre, which aim to help the US$13 million addition advance the company’s research of new silicon-based materials and solar cell efficiency.
Planning stages are underway for the construction of a proposed INR10,000 crore (US$1.9 billion) PV components and polysilicon factory in the Andhra Pradesh region of India, according to The Economic Times. Indian conglomerate Yash Birla Group has reportedly submitted a proposal to the region’s government for approval to commence construction of a polysilicon plant by Power Solutions.
More long-term wafer sales contracts at REC that were initiated back in 2006 and carried on through 2008 are being terminated as wafer supply is abundant and prices have collapsed. REC said that it had accepted the termination of another one of these contracts against a cash compensation of approximately NOK 200 million (US$33.3 million) to be received in the first quarter of 2012.
Severe wafer price declines that have already impacted SolarWorld and other European manufacturer’s production operations have led to SCHOTT Solar announcing the closure of its mutlicrystalline wafer operations in Jena, Germany impacting 290 workers. SCHOTT Solar said that its monocrystalline wafer production at Jena, as well as its thin-film module production is to continue. Industry overcapacity.
Silicones-based manufacturer, Dow Corning, has completed its €30 million European distribution centre in Feluy, Belgium, after 15 months of construction. The new facility will allow Dow Corning to support future growth in the region and is double the size of the current warehouse.
As of February 6, 2012, Timminco’s common shares will be delisted by the Toronto Stock Exchange, due to the company’s inability to meet the continued listing requirements of the TSX. The impact is a direct result from company seeking protection from its creditors under the Creditors Arrangement Act, which it filed on January 3. Since CCAA proceedings were initiated on January 3, all trading in Timminco’s common shares has ceased and will continue to be suspended until delisting.
GT Advanced Technologies has secured a US$101.3-million order for its CVD reactors and ancillary production equipment from an incumbent polysilicon producer.
