The recovery in solar cell shipments continued into February for Taiwan-based crystalline solar cell producer, Neo Solar Power (NSP). The company reported sales of approximately US$34.4 million, compared to US$22 million (NT$850 million) in January and up from NT$663 million in December, 2011 when sales hit a two-year record low.
Impairment charges due to price declines and expected challenging market conditions in 2012 weighed on Q-Cells' preliminary fourth-quarter and full-year results. The company reported a fourth-quarter EBIT loss of approximately €355 million and a full-year 2011 loss of €846 million. Fourth-quarter revenue was €353 million, up significantly from €299 million in the third quarter. Revenue for the year reached €1,023 million.
A groundbreaking ceremony has taken place for the future manufacturing hub of Panansonic’s HIT modules in Malaysia, Sunday, March 4, 2011. In an attempt to become cost-competitive with Asia-based rivals, the 300MW plant is the company’s first fully integrated facility, which will fabricate solar wafers, cells and modules.
Microsol International, a UAE based module manufacturer has agreed to acquire the majority of operations of insolvent Solon that could secure most of the 471 jobs at the firm. Insolvency administrator, Ruediger Wienberg announced the deal on the March 1, as insolvency proceedings started. Solon had filed for insolvency in the German courts on December 13, 2011. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed or whether Microsol would be responsible for Solon’s debts or whether the acquisition was primarily asset-based.
Significant booking reductions from customers in the PV manufacturing sector impacted revenue at Ferro Corporation in 2011. The materials provider reported net sales of US$443 million in the fourth quarter, down 18% from net sales of US$537 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.
Ongoing overcapacity and capital spending constraints within the PV industry continued to impact revenue at BTU International. The equipment supplier reported fourth quarter net sales of US$14.9 million, down 11.8% compared to US$16.9 million in the prior quarter. Net loss for the fourth quarter was US$2.3 million. BTU also posted net sales for 2011 of US$76.1 million, down 6.7% compared to US$81.6 million for the year 2010. Net loss for 2011 was US$2.7 million.
Neo Solar Power is launching a new quasi-mono-based solar cell, said to have a conversion efficiency reaching 18.5% and an average efficiency over 18%. This is the first product NSP has produced using quasi-mono wafers, which is set for rapid adoption across the industry as PV manufacturers focus on efficiency of cells and modules rather than capacity expansions.
In order to better serve customers in the North American region, JinkoSolar Holding’s has opened a new office in Ontario, Canada. Furthermore, to satisfy Canada’s local content manufacturing requirement, the company has paired up with local manufacturer Heliene. Heliene will produce Jinko modules in Ontario helping it meet the “Made in Ontario” requirements.
Solar Fields, the owner of CdTe thin-film module manufacturer Calyxo, will continue to financially support the company through 2012 thanks to Calyxo's new aperture area efficiencies of 13.4%, as confirmed by SGS Germany. The latest improved module performance is said to be the cornerstone of its next-generation module series and potentially improves their market competitiveness in the future.
The Plastics Electronics Conference, co-located with SEMICON Europa since 2010, has been acquired by trade group, SEMI. The conference the committee has organized includes industry and academic leaders in the field of organic and inorganic large area electronics (OLAE will serve as a plastic electronics special interest group, guiding SEMI activities and services worldwide). SEMI said the conference and exhibition format would be extended to other regions in the future.
