In an article over at China Daily, Applied Materials (AMAT) CEO Charles Gay predicts that China will make a tremendous push in domestic solar applications, catching up with its superiority in solar manufacturing to become a major consumer of solar electricity as well. Not only does he see China doubling solar capacity within five years, but he believes they will reach solar grid parity two years before the US in 2018. With China experiencing … Read the rest
Tag Archives: amat
Applied Materials (AMAT) Exiting Thin Film Solar Biz To Focus On Silcon Solar, LED Lighting
Applied Materials (AMAT) is making a significant shift in its green energy strategy, abandoning its thin film solar business and focusing more on traditional solar technologies as well as LED. The thin film solar business has never really gotten off the ground as evidenced by the languishing stock price of Energy Conversion Devices (ENER). I don’t think it’s time to call the technology dead in the water, but when a company like Applied Materials decides … Read the rest
Applied Materials (AMAT) Launches Applied SmartFactory Advanced Automation Software
Applied Materials just announced the launch of a new product, Applied SmartFactory(TM) MES* software. The software allows LED, chip packaging and solar factories to track and streamline the movement of materials through the facility. In less than 60 days after deployment, the product leads to higher product quality and better productivity, along with reduced costs.
In a press release, Charlie Pappis, vice president and general manager of Applied Global Services, explained the advantages of the … Read the rest
Macquarie Upgrades First Solar (FSLR); Needham Maintains Buy On Applied Materials (AMAT)
A couple analyst ratings notes in the solar space this morning.
Needham reiterated its Buy rating on Applied Materials (AMAT) and price target of $18 following its earnings report last night. “AMAT F2Q10 (Apr) results beat expectation and guidance was above consensus. We believe the report was largely inline with buy-side expectations. We are encouraged by the company’s decision to take further steps to scale back SunFab, but we are a bit disappointed by the … Read the rest
Applied Materials (AMAT) Opens Manufacturing Hub In Singapore
Applied Materials just announced the opening of its new global manufacturing hub in Singapore. The Singapore Operations Center will produce advanced semiconductor equipment and is Applied Materials’ first Asian facility of its type. Applied Materials chose Singapore in part because it is close to many of the company’s existing customers and suppliers, and it plans to eventually employ 800 people at the center.
In a press release, Mike Splinter, chairman and chief executive officer of … Read the rest
Solar Upgrades: SPWRA, STP, AMAT
A few solar upgrades to report this morning…
Suntech Power (STP) was raised to Neutral from Underperform by Macquarie. Shares are up about 3% on the upgrade. Click Here For Your FREE Suntech Analysis
Sunpower (SPWRA) was upgraded by Europe’s SocGen from Hold to Buy and raised the price target from $29 to $31.moving this morning as we have an analyst upgrade over at Europe’s SocGen. The firm raised its investment rating on SunPower shares … Read the rest
Applied Materials (AMAT) Aims To Cut Solar Manufacturing Costs With Advent Solar Purchase
Applied Materials (AMAT) has acquired privately held Advent Solar today in an effort to decrease manufacturing costs of solar panels. Advent Solar’s technology helps to streamline the assembly operation which Applied Materials says will help the company produce solar panels at below $1/watt within the next three years. No word on the financials of the deal. … Read the rest
Applied Materials’ Sunfab Production Line Selected For Indian Solar Project
KSK Surya Photovoltaic Venture, Private Limited (KSK) has contracted with Applied Materials to buy two Applied SunFab™ Thin Film Lines, used to produce high-power output 5.7m2 solar panels. The lines will be installed in the 150 MW production facility that KSK Surya is building in Hyderabad, India. Under a 5 year service agreement, Applied Materials will support and maintain the lines.
In a press release, Dr. Mark Pinto, senior vice president and general … Read the rest
Applied Materials (AMAT) Gets Service Contract From Fujitsu Microelectronics
Applied Materials just announced that it has been granted a contract to service Fujitsu’s 300mm semiconductor factory in Mie, Japan. Under the contract, Applied Materials will service 100 chipmaking st ystems at the plant that use the company’s Applied Performance Service(TM) solution. Applied Materials will also use Applied E3(TM) advanced equipment and process control technology to improve the efficiency and profitability of the plant as a whole.
In a press release, Kiyoshi Watanabe, Fujitsu’s corporate … Read the rest
ENN Awards Applied Materials (AMAT) 5-Year Contract
Applied Materials just announced that it has been awarded a 5-year contract by ENN Solar Energy Co., Ltd. Under the contract, Applied Materials will provide maintenance, spare parts management, and analytical services for the Applied SunFab™ Thin Film Line at ENN’s solar plant in Langfang, China. Applied Material’s expertise will help ENN obtain optimum performance and the best possible output from the line.
In a press release, representatives from both companies commented on the … Read the rest