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Kyocera Spends $250M to Triple Solar Capacity

Kyocera Corp. (6971.T) plans to spend $250 million (30 billion yen) to almost triple annual solar cell capacity, bringing it to 500 megawatts over the next four years. The company says it needs expansion is necessary to keep up with demand and with competitors. Kyocera is the world’s No. 3 solar cell manufacturer, behind Sharp Corp. (6753.T) and Q-Cells AG (QCEG.DE). The fourth largest producers is Suntech Power (STP.N). Solar sales for Kyocera grew about 33% in 2006 – the company expects to expand at a similar rate over the next few years. Solar is its fastest-growing business line. Kyocera says it has enough silicon needed for the expansion, but that it is also working to reduce the amount of silicon it uses. Subscribe to Progressive Investor to keep with all the developments with the solar sector. Website: [sorry this link is no longer available]     

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SunPower Modules Rated Highly

Sandia National Labs announced that SunPower Corporation’s (Nasdaq: SPWR)new SPR-315 96-cell solar panel is the most efficient commercially available, mass-produced panel ever tested at the lab. Sandia measured the actual power output of the SunPower 315 watt nameplate-rated solar panel at 321.65 watts, giving the panel an unprecedented module efficiency of 19.7%. SunPower’s technology is up to 50% greater than conventional solar technology and up to 100%higher than commercial thin film panels. Higher efficiency also reduces system installation and sales costs, as more power can be generated with fewer panels compared to conventional or thin film technology. Website: [sorry this link is no longer available]     

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Badger Meter Profits Drop 39%

Badger Meter Inc.(AMEX: BMI), which supplies water meters, reported that first quarter earnings declined 39% due to slow sales and rising copper prices. The company reported $2.6 million in income, or 18 cents per share, down from $4.2 million, or 30 cents per share, for the same period last year, a penny under analyst expectations. Net sales dropped 9% to $52.7 million from $58 million. Badger had a strong first quarter in 2006, perhaps making the results look worse than they are. Badger is one of the few water companies in “buying” position according to the analysts we work with at Progressive Investor. Website: [sorry this link is no longer available]     

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Evergreen Solar Forecasts Higher Losses

Evergreen Solar Inc. (Nasdaq: ESLR) is forecasting a wider loss for the second quarter because of an expected sharp decline in sales. The company estimates the loss will range from $8-$8.3 million, or 10 cents per share. It includes about $1.3 million in startup costs for the German EverQ factory, which is slated to begin shipments in the second quarter. The company expects revenue between $12.5-$13.5 million for the quarter. ESLR says it will reach profitability in 2009 or 2010. A year ago, Evergreen reported a loss of $7.5 million, or 11 cents per share, on revenue of $22.4 million. On average, analysts expect Evergreen to post a loss of 8 cents per share on sales of $14.2 million in the second quarter. Despite Evergreen’s announcements yesterday, including a new silicon contract and plant expansion, several analysts are cautious on the company’s long-term outlook. Because silicon supplies are expected to loosen up over the next year or two, ESLR’s technology advantage could disappear. Its ability to use less silicon to make a solar cell would have much less value in that environment, say the analysts. Also to secure the 6-year silicon deal with DC Chemical, ESLR gave them $130M of […]

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