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.
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.
