As many know, First Solar is the largest solar company in the world, and have deftly debunked the notion that thinfilm cannot compete. Now comes another play on the eastern seaboard of the USA, AQT opening a new CIGS factory.
So by using a high degree of automation, US government aid and being close to what should be the largest market in the world (USA), they already have 160MW of backorders to fulfill. Imagine that..about $220M in orders undelivered. In how many industries is that reality truth?
Yet with a slowing of solar panel delivery growth projected by many in 2011, there will be price squeezes that force CIGS solar panels down to about $1.20 per watt, while amorphous solar modules probably go sub $1. Crystalline, which can be had for about $1.60 per watt, will drop to around $1.45 or so, based on its higher efficiencies and balance of solar power system costs.
All good news for consumers, yet investors in solar companies that are producing modules are in for some sobering results…
Sass