Solar Cells Info

Nuying Huang, Taipei; Esther Lam, DIGITIMES, 4 October 2007
Source: DigiTimes
http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20071004PD212.html

Neo Solar Power, a Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC)-invested solar cell subsidiary, is seeing buoyant orders with a utilization rate hitting a record high in September.  Orders are strong with no inventory left at all, Neo Solar stressed. The solar-cell maker noted that its utilization rate hit 120% with an actual output of 3.02 peak megawatt (MWp) in September. Annual capacity will reach 60MWp in 2007, following the completion of its second production line in November. The company reiterated that it aims to house a total capacity of 500MWp in 2010 to be the third-largest solar cell maker.

While seeing strong orders, Neo Solar is confident about its polysilicon sufficiency, claiming that supply from LDK Solar will contribute to half of its output target in 2008. Neo Solar said its solar cell now delivers a power conversion ratio of 15.4%, with most of its solar cells based on multi-crystalline polysilicon. It is now partnering with customers to help solve the problem of power losses originating from the assembly process. In general cases, solar cells may have a power loss rate of 3-5% arising from the assembly process but Neo Solar said it is now capable of keeping such losses below 3%.

In related news, Neo Solar posted an earnings per share (EPS) of NT$3.50 on a sales amount of NT$2.3 billion (US$70.4 million) through the third quarter of 2007. Industry watchers estimate that the company is likely to have its EPS surpassing NT$5 for the whole of 2007. The company will list on Taiwan’s emerging stock market on October 9.