Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Trina Solar: First Solar Won’t Be Low-Cost Leader for Long (FSLR; TSL)

That is an amazing statement. If it comes to pass, added to the much greater efficiency of silicon solar cell and the much smaller geographic footprint required, FSLR is going to have some real competition.
From Greentech's GreenLight:

For Trina Solar (NYSE: TSL), it won't be long before its solar panel manufacturing costs will fall enough to become comparable to the industry low-cost leader, First Solar (NSDQ: FSLR).

"Next year, our cost reduction roadmap will allow us to compete with First Solar in the balance of system level, so that module wise we will compete with them some time next year," said Terry Wang, Trina's chief financial officer, in a conference call to discuss the company's earnings late Monday.

Wang's comment came as the company returned to profit in the second quarter. Trina posted a net income of $18.9 million, or 71 cents per American depositary share, on $150 million in revenue. The Chinese company posted a loss of $10.6 million, or 42 cents per share, on a revenue of $132.1 million for the first quarter; and a net income of $17.1 million, or 68 cents per share, on a revenue of $204.2 million for the second quarter of 2008....MORE