Indeotec has received the first order and down payment for its Octopus II plasma processing tool. Octopus II was first unveiled at PVSEC in Hamburg and is the successor to Indeotec’s popular Octopus I. The new tool measures 300mm x 400mm and is characterized by several PECVD, PVD, heating and customised chambers around a central unit.
Germany’s largest module manufacturer, SolarWorld reported weakening financial conditions in the third quarter. Shipments and revenue remained flat with the second quarter but margins declined as weak demand and declining prices impacted results. SolarWorld guided sales above €1 billion for the full-year but below €1.3 billion reported in 2010. Finished goods inventory levels have increased sequentially for 5 quarters, while total inventories reached close to €500 million.
The California Public Utilities Commission has approved five power purchase agreements between Soitec Solar Development and San Diego Gas and Electric. Individual project sizes have not yet been disclosed, although the combined total of the PPAs is 155MW.
The US Government-sponsored banks that have helped fund the takeoff of India’s fledgling solar industry may soon move to withdraw their support, according to an official at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).
A concerted effort to increase sales overseas, though not a player in the expanding China market, SMA Solar Technology reported it had claimed back lost market share in the first 9-months of 2011. As part of the growing regional mix, product mix changed as SMA’s central inverter sales recorded strong growth. SMA reiterated recently lowered guidance for sales in 2011 to be between €1.5 billion to €1.7 billion and operating profit of €220 million to €300 million.
PVA TePla, a manufacturer of crystallization systems for semiconductor and solar silicon as well as vacuum and high-temperature systems, generated sales revenues of €77.3 million in the first nine months of 2011 (previous year: €95.0 million). With a margin of 9.8% (previous year: 10.3%), operating profit (EBIT) totalled €7.6 million (previous year: €9.7 million).
Concern is growing amongst the 800 employees of silicon wafer manufacturer Silico Solar which will be closing the 300MW facility in Puertollano at the end of this month until at least February 2012. Silico has blamed this on the adverse PV market conditions.
Astronergy, a subsidiary of Chint Group, has finished work on a 20MW PV system in Golmud, China. The installation, which is one of the largest in China, takes Astronergy’s portfolio in the country to 60MW.
Skyline Solar has scored two major goals with its announcement that its LCPV Skyline Solar X14 System has been listed by the California Energy Commission (CEC) followed with the news that Firsthand Technology Value Fund made a direct investment in the company.
aleo solar has posted revenues of €344.6 million for the first nine months of 2011, a 16.4% decrease on 2010’s corresponding figure. The Prenzlau-based module manufacturer is the latest PV company to feel the pinch from the solar industry’s global downturn, which has hit module prices particularly hard.
