Amtech looking to outsource solar equipment production in China to remain competitive

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Fokko Pentinga, Chief Executive Officer of Amtech Systems noted, “We are doing more strategic sourcing of components and evaluating the outsourcing of manufacturing of solar equipment to lower cost locations in China. We see this as a high priority, given the changes in the marketplace and the ongoing pricing pressure.” Image: Amtech Systems

Specialist PV manufacturing equipment supplier Amtech Systems is looking to expand its component outsourcing to include solar equipment production in China to remain competitive. 

Amtech reported fiscal second quarter 2018, Solar segment revenue of US$12.6 million, down from US$49.2 million in the previous quarter as the company recognised revenue on a major turnkey phased project (Phase II) with a customer in China.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Amtech reported fiscal second quarter 2018, Solar segment revenue of US$12.6 million, down from US$49.2 million in the previous quarter.

However, new solar order intake has remained below US$10 million per quarter for the last three quarters in a row, while capacity expansion announcements have remained strong, according to PV Tech’s ongoing analysis. 

Fokko Pentinga, Chief Executive Officer of Amtech Systems noted, “We are doing more strategic sourcing of components and evaluating the outsourcing of manufacturing of solar equipment to lower cost locations in China. We see this as a high priority, given the changes in the marketplace and the ongoing pricing pressure.”

Amtech's new solar order intake has remained below US$10 million per quarter for the last three quarters .

Although pricing pressure is a key business factor, technology selections in PV manufacturing have become splintered and the pace of migration increased in the last two years, notably with P-Type multi and P-Type mono PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technologies with high-end PERC cell technology adopting ALD batch tools over PECVD. 
PV manufacturers are also selecting heterojunction (HJ) technology, adding to the increased diversity of next-generation technology selection.
 
Pentinga noted in the earnings call that new order intake could rebound in the next quarter as the company could receive the Phase III turnkey order for N-Type mono (nPERT/TopCon) technology, which can produce N-Type bifacial cells with over 22% efficiency.

“We are engaged with our large turnkey customer, to assist in their next phase plans. We continue to look forward to a Phase-III order in the coming months,” noted Pentinga.

This is due to the company having achieved installation and start-up of Phase I of its 1GW turnkey order. 
 
With PV product development a high-priority to retain competiveness, Amtech reported research, development and engineering (RD&E) expense in the fiscal second quarter of US$2.2 million, compared to US$2.0 million in the preceding quarter and US$1.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. 

Amtech guided fiscal third quarter total revenue to be in the range of US$34 to US$37 million.

21 May 2024
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 21-22 May 2024, will be our third PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2025 and beyond.
8 October 2024
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 8-9 October 2024 is our second PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The event in 2023 was a sell out success and 2024 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
April 10, 2024
Dallas, Texas USA
Solar Media Events
April 17, 2024
Lisbon, Portugal
Solar Media Events
May 1, 2024
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
May 21, 2024
Napa, USA