SolarWorld AG Invests in Innovations

SolarWorld AG’s group-wide shipments of modules and kits grew to 316 megawatts (MW) in the first half of 2012, compared to 269 MW in the first haf of 2011. While the first quarter saw pull-forward effects in the German market, the largest volume of shipments was abroad in the second quarter.

Shipments outside Germany accounted for 60% in the first half of 2012, compared to 69.1% during the first half of 2011. Demand in Germany for kits for roof-mounted systems dropped noticeably in the second quarter for political reasons. An increase in sales abroad, particularly in Italy, was only partially able to offset this reluctance. The full integration of Solarparc AG in the SolarWorld Group paid off in the area of large-scale projects.

The drop in prices caused by price dumping is the main reason why group revenue decreased in the first half to €340.1 million, compared to €533.6 million during the first half of 2011. As a result of the drop in prices, impairments of €33.5 million had to be made on inventories. In addition, the compnay had to make an impairment of €80.8 million on advance payments. Neither impairment influenced the group’s cash position. These factors had a negative impact on the group’s earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT). In the first half of 2012, EBIT amounted to -€143.8 million, as opposed to € 70.5 million during 1H 2011.

From this perspective, SolarWorld AG will not generate a positive EBIT in the 2012 fiscal year in light of the aggressive market situation characterized by illegal trade practices.

“We have to fight price dumping with technological innovations,” explained Dr. Frank Asbeck, CEO of SolarWorld AG. The group will invest an additional €50 million, primarily in new products specifically for highly efficient self-consumption of solar power as well as in bringing research results and patented innovations to German and American cell production. These new processes will improve the performance of solar modules while decreasing material consumption and thus production costs.