With polysilion spot prices heading for the low US$20/kg territory and well below small polysilicon producers' production cost levels, Motech Industries has decided to exit the polysilicon sector with the shutdown and sale of assets of its subsidiary, AE Polysilicon Corporation (AEP). Motech invested in AEP in 2006 as it started the development of high purity granular polysilicon, intended to provide lower cost polysilicon compared to conventional Siemens processes.
Swiss silicon thin-film firm, Pramac has been forced to file for insolvency after shareholders rejected management proposals over restructuring the company after posting losses (net) of over €94 million in 2011. The diversified firm had been a customer of Oerlikon Solar since 2008. Pramac had a 30MW end-to-end turnkey line using Oerlikon’s ‘Micromorph' technology.
Profitability remains tantalizingly elusive at Suntech Power Holdings, having reported a first quarter GAAP loss of US$133 million on the back of certain one-time issues, 27% lower quarterly shipments and 10% price declines. Although management stuck to previous guidance for the year, indicating strong shipments in the second-half of the year, analysts raised concerns over Suntech’s ability to repay a US$540 million convertible note due next year.
First generation PV thin-film adopters are falling like flies as Berlin-based Inventux files for bankruptcy. Inventux was a customer of Oerlikon Solar and an early adopter of its micromorph silicon turnkey technology. A temporary insolvency administrator has been appointed by the local court in Berlin-Charlottenburg, which is understood to be looking for new investors and secure some of the 200 jobs at risk at the company.
Despite full-capacity utilization and increased shipments of polysilicon and wafers, Daqo New Energy suffered falling revenue and continued losses in the first quarter of 2012. Based-on previously guided poly production cost reduction timelines and current spot market pricing - Daqo is fighting a loosing battle to sell polysilicon above cost levels through 2012 and 2013.
Following Saudi Arabia’s revelation of a US$109 billion plan to create a solar industry in the country that will produce a third of its electricity within the next twenty years, Five Star Equities has released reports on the potential outlook for companies in the solar industry, including First Solar and SunPower.
According to a report released by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the price of polysilicon continued its downward march, dropping by 2.6% last week. The material’s average spot prices were US$23.17/kg last week, compared to US$23.78 the week before. The report further advised that the price is down around 15% this year.
In February, EuPD Research awarded Germany-based Sovello the TOP BRAND PV seal; this week, the module manufacturer announced it has filed for insolvency in self-administration at the district court in Dessau. This very same court handled proceedings for Q-Cells last month and CIGS thin-film firm Odersun. The dramatic reduction in government subsidies and competition from Chinese manufacturers are being blamed for the moves by German companies that are unable to pay their mounting debts.
S.A.G. Solarstrom has announced a significant increase in sales volume with a positive EBIT. The company closed the first quarter of 2012 with sales of €21.4 million (Q1 2011: €78.9 million) and an EBIT of -€2.8 million (Q1 2011: €5.1 million), claiming these results are in line with its schedule for 2012. The company states that in the previous year’s quarter, sales and EBIT had been influenced to a very great extent by the large-scale Serenissima project.
Bloomberg is reporting that Conergy stock rose to its highest point since February following a report from the Financial Times Deutschland. The paper stated that the company was near ready to sell a 30% stake of Conergy to an undisclosed Chinese buyer. Bloomberg noted that company stocks rose as much as 16% to €0.57 per share.
