According to Barron’s Tech Trader Daily blog, Pacific Crest analyst Mark Bachman reveals quality problems with Akeenas’ solar panels. Some of the problems he mentions, quoting information revealed by his contacts, involve the frame, not the performance of the modules themselves. Bachman continues: “Akeena touts the aesthetically pleasing nature [of its Andalay line] as a key contributor to charging a premium price. Poor manufacturing quality affecting the looks, coupled with reports from our contacts that modules have been returned, suggest to us that either price breaks were negotiated on the modules kept in the field, or Akeena will suffer increased costs to rectify the situation.” Bachman says that checks with the supply chain find that the module manufacturer is not at fault, and that “the subcontractor delivering the frames is to blame.”
Waste Connections (WCN) Buys Harold LeMay Enterprises
Waste Connections (WCN) has entered into an agreement to buy Harold LeMay Enterprises Inc., a solid waste collection, recycling and transfer company that operates in Washington state. Both parties have declined to disclose the purchase price. With $100 million in revenue, LeMay is the largest privately-owned solid waste services company in the Pacific Northwest. It is the exclusive provider of solid waste collection, recycling, and transfer services to Gray’s Harbor, Lewis, Pierce and Thurston counties. The deal will most likely close in the fourth quarter of 2008, after required regulatory approval, and municipal consent. Waste Connections has also made a deal to buy the remaining interests of Pierce County Recycling, Composting and Disposal LLC. Waste Connections is already the majority stockholder of the company, but will buy the remainder from affiliates of LeMay. PCRCD will then become a wholly owned subsidiary of Waste Connections.
EMCORE Corporation (EMKR) Lands Over $40 Million In Contracts
A press release from EMCORE Corporation, announces that the company has entered into two new agreements to deliver solar cells and receivers with a total value of over $40 million. The larger of the two purchase contracts is a multi-year supply agreement for solar cells. The customers placing these orders are targeting CPV (concentrating photovoltaics) use in the United States with a particular focus on the California market. The EMCORE products will be used in systems developed for commercial rooftop installations as well as utility-size solar farms. The award of these contracts affirms EMCORE’s position as the leading supplier of CPV products, and other semiconductor-based components and subsystems for the broadband, fiber-optic, satellite and terrestrial solar power markets.
