Citing customer funding problems and a general hesitation in the market to invest in a-Si thin-film technology, turnkey specialist Oerlikon Solar reported that it did not receive any large orders during the first quarter of 2010. Sales declines 24% to CHF39 million compared to the same period a year ago when sales reached CHF51 million. Orders received in the first quarter were only CHF8 million, down 27% from the same period in 2009. The division posted an EBIT loss of CHF24 million, down from a CHF32 million loss a year ago.
However, Oerlikon Solar has one major order from Russian-based Hevel that it is continuing to meet shipment schedules for. Order backlog stood at CHF267 million, down from CHF390 million in the same period in 2009.
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The company said it was continuing to invest in R&D to meet its technology roadmap goals. Oerlikon Solar wants its tandem junction technology to be capable of producing modules for US$0.70/W by the end of 2010.