Collaboration has turned to acquisition as equipment specialist Manz is to acquire Würth Solar's CIGS thin-film production line in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany. The deal will include the purchase of all technology IP from the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), Würth Solar’s orginal technology partner on CIGS processes. The takeover should be concluded by early 2012 with a total of 116 Würth Solar employees being integrated into Manz as part of the acquisition.
Thin film PV company Nanosolar said it has supplied close to 6MW of its CIGS utility panels for two installations in France and Oregon, as part of its partnership with EDF Energies Nouvelles and its US subsidiary, enXco.
Solarbuzz’s new European PV Markets Quarterly predicts that 2011’s fourth quarter will see a quarter-over-quarter rise of 22% in the EU PV market, but 2012 will still be a tough year to navigate. Solarbuzz noted that downstream companies would need to be able to manage a new pricing environment in the midst of flailing incentives and grid parity economics.
Continuous pressure on pricing as demand remains weak has further impacted PV product sales and profits at Sunways. Consolidated sales declined by €35.0 million to €23.3 million, compared to the same quarter a year ago when sales reached €58.3 million. Lower cell manufacturing utilization, inventory write-downs on falling ASPs meant Sunways reported losses € 6.3 million an a negative operating result (EBIT) of €11.8 million in the third quarter.
Germany’s largest module manufacturer, SolarWorld reported weakening financial conditions in the third quarter. Shipments and revenue remained flat with the second quarter but margins declined as weak demand and declining prices impacted results. SolarWorld guided sales above €1 billion for the full-year but below €1.3 billion reported in 2010. Finished goods inventory levels have increased sequentially for 5 quarters, while total inventories reached close to €500 million.
Concern is growing amongst the 800 employees of silicon wafer manufacturer Silico Solar which will be closing the 300MW facility in Puertollano at the end of this month until at least February 2012. Silico has blamed this on the adverse PV market conditions.
Moser Baer Clean Energy Limited (MBCEL) has commissioned a 23.8MW solar power plant in Lauta, Germany, said to be the company’s largest to date. Funded with approximately €50 million long-term debt financing from DKB bank in Germany – the same financier for the company’s Thuringen and Meissens projects, the farm uses c-Si technology, SMA central inverters and was built with Conecon as the construction partner.
Martifer Solar has signed a turnkey contract to install a 6.6MW PV system in Murcia, Spain. Under the terms of the agreement, Martifer will not only build the plant, but also supply all the equipment and carry out operation and maintenance.
Senersun announced that it had officially become a member of The European Centre for the Recycling of Solar Energy (CERES), joining several other EU-based solar companies. CERES is a non-profit association, which aims to create a voluntary commitment take-back program for the PV community.
Just one week after completing an 80MW project in Ukraine, Activ Solar has added a further 20MW to the country’s burgeoning solar portfolio by installing Phase II of the Perovo Solar Power Station.
