LDK Solar 2012 losses top US$1 billion

May 15, 2013
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Struggling LDK Solar has reported a net loss of US$1.05 billion in 2012, the starkest figure in an annual report containing volumes of negative financial figures.

The technically bankrupt PV manufacturer made a loss from operations of US$807.7 million and a gross loss of US$352.5. Gross margin was negative 40.86% in 2012.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The company exited 2012 with only US$98.28 million in cash and cash equivalents but did have pledged bank deposits of US$167.1 million.

Total liabilities amounted to US$5.2 billion with outstanding short-term borrowings of US$2,391.3 million. To feed the interest rates, LDK Solar generated a positive operating cash flow of only $39.9 million in 2012.

Key customers in 2012 were said in the report to be Sumitomo Corporation, Photovoltech NV-SA, (bankrupt in mid-2012), Hyundai Heavy Industry, Solartech Energy Corporation and Gintech Energy Corporation.

Not surprisingly, the company has seen a massive headcount reduction. Total employees in 2012 were 8,979, down from 24,449 in 2011.

The company spent US$17.7 million on R&D in 2012, down from US$43.1 million in 2011. LDK Solar had 275 employees in R&D activities last year.  
 
Noted in the report was LDK Solar’s attempt to gain more funding from banks in China to stay afloat. The company is seeking additional funds of US$318 million to support operations and capital expenditure plans, which were said to be in the range of US$80 million to US$150 million in 2013. CapEx in 2012 was US$79.5 million. 

Read Next

November 28, 2025
The EBRD will invest in a 531MW solar PV portfolio in Romania from Israeli renewables company Nofar Energy.
November 28, 2025
The European Patent Office (EPO) has revoked a patent for a key solar cell manufacturing process, which has been hailed as “good news” for European solar PV manufacturing.
November 28, 2025
LONGi has acquired system integrator PotisEdge, and plans to launch an ‘Energy Storage One-Stop Solution’.
November 28, 2025
Chinese module manufacturer Huasun Energy has launched a new heterojunction module with a 760 W output, a 2,000 V system voltage and 24.5% module efficiency.
Premium
November 27, 2025
Prateek Tare tells PV Tech Premium how Distributed Energy Infrastructure transformed a Superfund site into the Acton PV-plus-storage project.
November 27, 2025
The World Bank will invest in a huge 4GW, 5.12GWh solar-plus-storage complex in Malaysia, which will form part of a pan-Southeast Asian power grid initiative.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Upcoming Webinars
December 4, 2025
2pm GMT / 3pm CET
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy