A major milestone amidst the solar doom and gloom…
Despite bleak estimates for the next few quarters, there are reasons to remain very optimistic on FSLR. The company announced it broke the $1/watt barrier today saying that it has produced a solar cell with a cost of .98/watt and expects to meet its target of producing cells with a cost of .65 – .75 watt by 2012 which would be in line with traditional energy … Read the rest
First Solar (FSLR), the best of breed thin film solar producer, smashed estimates after the bell today reporting an EPS of $1.61. That was well ahead of estimates of $1.30 and more than double over the year ago quarter. Revenues also more than doubled over the year ago quarter with the company posting 4Q revenues of $433.7. Indeed, a very impressive quarter but wall st doesn’t care about what you did lately, they care about … Read the rest
Suntech is planning on expanding its Japanese market. In 2009, the company expects Japanese sales to be approximately 400-500 MW, according to JLM Pacific Epoch.
At first, the company "will focus on exporting monocrystalline modules." However, as part of its expansion plans, Suntech will also set up 100 stores across the country to sell solar-powered household goods to Japanese consumers. On March 1st, Suntech will launch a subsidy system in Japan. … Read the rest
NRG Energy just announced that it purchased the development rights to 500 MW of solar projects that use eSolar’s solar technology. NRG plans to develop these projects and take them to completion. Here’s more from an open letter NRG issued to its shareholders:
… Read the restWhile this acquisition does not represent a substantial upfront commitment of NRG capital—less than $10 million—it nonetheless signifies a meaningful step forward in NRG’s efforts to be a leader in solar development
Evergreen Solar (ESLR) announced this afternoon that the first stage of construction is nearly complete for one of Germany’s largest solar installations. The roof of a tunnel on Germany’s A3 highway will be outfitted with 16000 Evergreen Solar panels on 2.7 km and generate 2.8MW of energy which is enough to power around 600 homes annually.
“This project is a testament to the fact that when both government and developers work together in a … Read the rest
Kyocera just broke ground on a new PV module plant in Tianjin City, China. Construction will begin in April on the plant, which will be adjacent to Kyocera’s current plant and eventually replace it. Once the plant is complete, Kyocera will be able to boost its PV production from 60 MW to 240 MW by 2011.
According to PV-tech.org, here’s how the expansion fits into Kyocera’s overall plan for the future:
The company said the … Read the rest
BP Solar announced that it has signed a supply deal with Xantrex Technology. Under the terms of the agreement, Xantrex will supply BP with residential grid tie (GT) solar power inverters. These inverters, which feature 96% efficiency and maximum AC output of between 2.8 to 5 KW, will offered to customers as part of BP Solar’s Home Solutions PV rooftop systems.
From pv-tech.org, here’s what the leadership team of both companies had to say … Read the rest
LDK Solar (LDK) is hitting new all time lows this morning, gapping down 14% after cutting guidance after the bell yesterday. The company warned it would slow expansion and lose $135 – $145 million in the 4th quarter which would represent the first loss in company history. It’s revised revenue outlook for the 4th quarter has fallen to $415 – $435 vs the analyst estimate of $432 million. … Read the rest
Sunpower (SPWRA) has announced an agreement to build a 2.2MW solar power plant for Sunshire, a subsidiary of Api Nova Energia of Italy. This is the first solar power plant agreement for Sunpower’s Italian subsidiary which will be financed by regional banks via a leasing agreement
“We are pleased to partner with Api Nova Energia to deliver clean, reliable solar power to the rapidly expanding Italian market,” said Luca Bandini, general manager of SunPower … Read the rest
Earlier this week, MEMC Electronic Materials announced it would decrease the price that Suntech Power Holdings is paying for its solar wafers. Now, they have changed their contract with Gintech Energy as well. The change in the contract is similar to the change made to Suntech’s contract-price per wafer is dropping, but the volume of wafers will be increased so that the ultimate revenue from the contract remains unchanged.