aleo solar has raised it 2010 revenue forecast for the third time this year as strong pull-forward effects of the German feed-in tariff cuts and growth in other European markets are expected to see revenue reach €500 million, up from an initial forecast of €420 million, earlier this year. Revenue for the first nine months of 2010 was €412 million, an 86.6% increase over the same period in 2009.
Solar 3D is looking forward to Dr. Changwan Son bringing his expertise in the photonics and optoelectronic devices fields to his new position as the company’s director of technology. Utilizing his background, Son will spearhead the development of Solar3D’s technology and prototype.
Describing business conditions as an ‘ongoing order boom in the solar sector,’ centrotherm photovoltaics posted revenue of €458.4 million for the first nine months of this year, a 22.3% increase compared with the same period a year ago. The company reported a total inflow of €707.7 million of new orders, compared with the prior-year period of €472.1 million. However, revenue fell in its thin film module segment to only €11.9 million in the period.
Platina Partners has finalized its acquisition of 10MW of solar PV projects from the Degennaro Group. The 10 solar PV plants are located in the Puglia region of Italy, are each 1MW and mark the first operational plants in Italy for Platina. Their portfolio now includes 162MW of renewable energy projects in operation, 31MW of those being operational solar PV projects.
Ametek has successfully acquired Atlas Material Testing Technology from Industrial Growth Partners for US$159 million in cash. Atlas, a weather test instruments and consulting company, has an estimated US$85 million in sales for 2011 with its headquarters in Chicago and manufacturing facilities in Germany. Atlas will come under Ametek as part of its Measurement & Calibration Technologies division, a part of Ametek’s Electronic Instruments Group.
PV Evolution Labs (PVEL) has come one step closer towards completing a testing laboratory in San Francisco by closing funding for the solar panel reliability and performance lab. The company touts the laboratory as an independent, high-throughput testing facility using the company’s environmental, mechanical and electrical stress and characterization systems.
Feed-in tariff changes are to negatively impact photovoltaic (PV) installations in France, Belgium, Spain and Czech Republic in 2011, according to a new report from iSuppli Corp. However, the robust and stronger than expected growth of the German market for 2010 and 2011 will keep overall installations figures up compared with previous years. The market research firm expects worldwide installations in 2010 will amount to 15.8GW up from iSuppli’s previous outlook of 14.2GW, representing 118.7% growth from 7.2GW installed in 2009. In 2011 installations will amount to 19.3GW, down slightly from its previous forecast of 20.2GW.
Manz Automation has reported strong revenue growth in the first nine months of 2010. Sales reached €121.3 million, compared to €46.7 million in the same period a year ago. Revenues in the third quarter of 2010 reached €53.8 million, driven by new product sales for the production of crystalline solar cells. Revenue was €18.5 million in the same quarter of the previous year. Due to continued demand, Manz has raised its revenue guidance for 2010 to between €170 - €175 million, up from at least, €140 million.
Increased orders from PV manufacturers in Asia are responsible for Despatch Industries posting third quarter revenue in excess of US$75 million. Despatch said it had expanded production capacity to meet demand, particularly for thermal furnaces. Lead times have subsequently declined for its range of products, the company said.
New supply agreements with multiple customers have pushed JA Solar’s 2011 delivery commitments passed 1.2GW. The cell and module manufacturer said it had secured an additional 600MW of new product orders, all with delivery dates in 2011 and had received prepayments associated with these customer orders.
