Lucky Power to see critical solar module output jump in 2008
Nuying Huang, Taipei; Esther Lam
Source: DIGITIMES , 23 April 2008
http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20080423PD207.html
After securing patents for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solar modules, Lucky Power projects a critical output jump in solar module production will promise the company with rising sales in 2008. After starting solar module volume production in 2007 and focusing on the BIPV segment, Lucky Power has secured many patents in this field, said company general manager Hu Shau-De (transliterated from Chinese). Despite the company still running with a small loss on an actual output of 1.6 peak megawatt (MWp) in 2007, the company projects that its output will grow to 18MWp, representing a 11.25-fold jump. If more materials are secured, output is set to expand further, the company stressed.
Thanks to strong demand from Europe, industry sources said Lucky Power, which is running on an annual capacity of 30MWp, has about 100MWp-equivalent of orders pending. Hu stressed that the company can fulfill these orders if solar cell supply is sufficient.
Hu added that Lucky Power will produce 2MWp of BIPV modules in 2008 based on the several patents that it has on hand. Using an estimated global BIPV module output figure of 10MWp, the targeted output at Lucky Power is significant, he noted.
The entire PV industry is suffering from a polysilicon shortage. For solar module makers, they have to increase their working capital to prepare materials, meaning that they are exposed to stronger pressures than upstream players, Hu commented. Therefore, there is a rising trend of vertical integration in the solar module sector.
Lucky Power is scheduled to complete its NT$600 million (US$19.8 million) rights issue in late May. Industry sources identified material suppliers, solar cell makers and system makers as participants. Investors estimate that Lucky Power made a profit of NT$10 million in the first quarter of 2008, translating into an earnings per share (EPS) of NT$0.30. The company’s EPS is believed will hit NT$3 on a capital size of NT$300 million in 2008, they projected.