SolarWorld turns to loss and rising inventory: full-year guidance reduced

November 14, 2011
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

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.

SolarWorld reported shipments of 195MW in the third quarter, flat with the second quarter and up slightly from 191MW in the same quarter a year ago.

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

Revenue amounted to €237.8, flat with second quarter revenue figures of €238 million, while EBIT-margin was 8.7%, down from 13% in the second quarter of 2011. SolarWorld reported consolidated net income of negative € 9.0 million, said to be due to losses in the United States that did not reduce tax liabilities.

For the first 9-months, SolarWorld reported increased shipments to 576MW, up slightly from 568MW in the same period of 2010. Revenues reached €772.9, down from €958.3 million in the prior year period.

The operating profit (EBIT) in the first 9-months amounted to €88.7, down from €133.6 million in the same period a year ago. Consolidated net income amounts to € 13.4 million, down from €54.7 million in the first 9-months of 2010.

Read Next

April 10, 2026
Q&A: Sarah Montgomery, founder & CEO of Infyos, gives her take on the rise of co-location and growing tension in Europe's solar market.
April 10, 2026
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has issued a proposed decision rejecting a solar industry-backed Net Value Billing Tariff (NVBT) for community solar programmes, and instead advancing a compensation framework based on the Avoided Cost Calculator (ACC).  
April 10, 2026
The selling price of solar PV module technology types in Europe has continued to increase in March 2026, according to the latest report from online solar marketplace sun.store.
April 10, 2026
Singapore-based renewables firm Levanta Renewables has signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with China Energy Engineering Group (CEEC) for a solar-plus-storage project in the Philippines.
April 10, 2026
Signed into law by governor Janet Mills on 6 April 2026, LD 1730 allows the installation of plug-in systems of up to 1,200 watts.
April 10, 2026
India has become the third-largest country by installed renewable energy capacity, reaching 274.68, with over 150GW of solar PV capacity, according to statistics from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland