Financial Information
Asia’s PV Backsheets Market Booms, Report Says
08 October 2012POSTED IN Business News
The Asian solar PV backsheet market is heating up, as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China steal focus from the US and Europe, whose finances and demand for PV continue to suffer due to the global economic crisis, according to a new report by GlobalData.
Robust Infrastructure Crucial for Smart Grid Success, Report Says
03 October 2012POSTED IN Business News
A report released today by Frost & Sullivan finds that the smart grid technology market earned revenues of US $1.40 billion in 2011 and estimates this to reach US $3 billion by 2018.
The countries that are best suited to implement smart grid technology are the ones with well developed infrastructure, high technology acceptance, and advanced software, according to "SEA and ANZ Smart Grid Market - Automation Opportunities." In the Asia Pacific, Australia and Singapore are the ideal destinations for smart grid companies, as these countries have sound industrial infrastructure.
Applies Materials Cuts Workforce
05 October 2012POSTED IN Business News
Applied Materials today announced it will implement a voluntary retirement program and other workforce reduction actions that are expected to affect approximately 900 to 1,300 positions, or 6% to 9% of its global workforce.
China’s Hanergy to Buy MiaSole for $30 Million
02 October 2012POSTED IN Business News
China’s Hanergy Holding Group has agreed to buy Santa Clara, California-based MiaSole for $30 million, according to news reports.
US Start-up Breaks Ground for Thin-Film Solar Plant
28 September 2012POSTED IN Business News
At a time when many solar companies are ramping down production, the start-up company, SoloPower, opened its doors yesterday in Portland, Oregon (US). While a factory opening is often lauded, this one comes with some skepticism because the company will receive a $197 million loan guarantee from the US government.
Sharp May Close US, Europe Solar Business
27 September 2012POSTED IN Business News
Sharp has proposed closing its solar panel business in Europe and the US as part of its cost-cutting plan submitted to lenders, according to news reports.
Paramount Solar Partners with Clean Power Finance
26 September 2012POSTED IN Business News
California-based Paramount Solar has partnered with Clean Power Finance to provide an expanded portfolio of affordable financing options that make solar attainable for more customers.
In addition to the competitive finance products available through its marketplace, Clean Power Finance also provides solar sales software, and its online solar sales management platform will allow Paramount Solar to sell, quote and design residential solar systems for consumers more efficiently.
On-Site Generation Needs Costs Cut in Half
25 September 2012POSTED IN Business News
On-site generation needs more than sustainability goals in order to expand from a niche play and grow into a large market, according to a recent report by Lux Research, it needs better economics, with capital expenditure (capex) reductions being the most promising catalyst.
Suntech Receives NYSE Continued Listing Standards Notice
21 September 2012POSTED IN Business News
Suntech Power Holdings has been notified by the New York Stock Exchange that the company did not meet the NYSE’s price criteria for continued listing standard because, as of 10 September, the average closing price of Suntech’s American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, was less than US $1 per ADS over a consecutive 30-trading-day period.
California Retrofit Program Expected to Save US$3.4 Million
19 September 2012POSTED IN Politics and Policy News
The Energy Technology Assistance Program (ETAP), implemented by Energy Solutions of Oakland, California, has exceeded all of its energy savings goals within the 20-month program timeframe while achieving the US Department of Energy's goals of stimulating the economy, creating and retaining jobs in California, and reducing California’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Semi 2012 Q2 PV Market Report
18 September 2012POSTED IN Business News
Semi today reported the worldwide PV manufacturing equipment billings and bookings for the second quarter of 2012.
After declining to its lowest level in the previous quarter since the start of the data program, worldwide billings increased slightly in the second quarter, up 2% quarter-on-quarter. However, the reported billings of US $706 million were only 35% of the billings reported in the same quarter a year ago. Excluding the one-time large order reported in the previous quarter, worldwide bookings extended its six-quarter declining trend, falling 20% for the quarter to $235 million, reaching its lowest level since Q1’10. At 0.33, the book-to-bill ratio stayed below parity for the fifth consecutive quarter.
IHS: Top solar PV suppliers ‘must cut production’
17 September 2012POSTED IN Business News
PV polysilicon prices last month fell at a faster rate than they did in July, continuing a losing streak that started in the fourth quarter of 2011, according to a PV Polysilicon Price Tracker report from information and analytics provider IHS.
Opel Technologies to Sell Solar Assets
31 August 2012POSTED IN Business News
Opel Technologies and its subsidiary, Opel Solar, have entered into an agreement with Northern States Metals (NSM) of West Hartford, Connecticut (US), involving the sale of most of the company’s solar assets.
Seagate Offers $90.3M for Solyndra Plant
24 August 2012POSTED IN Business News
Seagate Technology has offered $90.3 million to buy the defunct Solyndra solar-panel factory in Fremont, California.
The hard drive and storage solutions company’s offer is 70 percent below the Solyndra building’s $300 million construction cost, according to documents filed with the US Bankruptcy Court.
Centrotherm Closes Vienna Operations
22 August 2012POSTED IN Business News
German-based Centrotherm Photovoltaics today announced it has discontinued operations at its Vienna branch in an attempt to concentrate on its core business.
Ascent Solar Regains Nasdaq Compliance
20 August 2012POSTED IN Business News
Thin-film PV module developer Ascent Solar Technologies today announced it has regained compliance with the Nasdaq Stock Market Listing Rules that require maintenance of a minimum US $1.00 bid price.
PV Module Prices Drop in July
16 August 2012POSTED IN Business News
Photovoltaic module prices continued their downward trend in July, falling by more than 2% over June’s average prices and 44% down annually, according to the latest monthly module price report from IMS Research.
Sharp Tries to Sell Japanese PV Plant
16 August 2012POSTED IN Business News
Sharp is in talks to sell its PV plant in Japan, according to news reports.
The Yomiuri newspaper reported that the cash-strapped company wants more than 100 billion yen ($1.27 billion) for the plant in Sakai, in western Japan, and for office buildings in Tokyo.
Suntech Appoints David King as CEO
16 August 2012POSTED IN Business News
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. today announced that Dr. Zhengrong Shi will serve as executive chairman of the board and assume the position of chief strategy officer. David King has been appointed as chief executive officer (CEO) of Suntech.
REC Wafer Norway to File for Bankruptcy
14 August 2012POSTED IN Business News
During 2011 and 2012 the production of REC Wafer Norway AS in Glomfjord and in Herøya, both in Norway, was permanently closed down. Activities were initiated to close the company. As of end of July 2012, REC Wafer Norway's liabilities exceeded its assets by about 1.2 billion NOK (~$202 million USD). Thus, a solvent closing of the company was dependent on continued funding from REC ASA, owner of 100% of the shares in REC Wafer Norway.
