- In the first half of 2015, SolarWorld AG boosts shipments of solar modules and kits by 32 percent to 440 MW and revenue by 40 percent to € 320 million
- Shipments in July and current order backlog for 2015 already exceed another 500 MW
- In the second half of 2015, SolarWorld AG increasingly delivers modules to international large-scale projects and continues to focus on high-performance technology
In its consolidated interim report released today, SolarWorld AG confirms its preliminary figures for the first half of 2015. From January to June this year, the company increased its groupwide shipments of solar power modules and kits by 32 percent compared with the same period last year to 440 (H1 2014: 333) MW. The main driver of this development was the solar market in the United States, where SolarWorld was able to double its shipment volume in the first half of 2015. The U.S. business represented a 52 percent share of the group’s total shipments of modules and kits.
SolarWorld increased the proportion of high-performance modules of group shipments. Consolidated revenue grew faster than shipments in the first half – by 40 percent – to € 320.0 (H1 2014: € 228.1) million.
Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose in the first half of 2015 to € 9.9 (H1 2014: 1.1) million. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) improved to € –12.2 (H1 2014: –19.1) million. The comparative figures of the first half of the previous year are adjusted for one-off effects. Cost-cutting measures and efficiency improvements at all group sites have contributed significantly to the improvement of the operating performance.
A good start in the second half of 2015 with new large-scale orders
SolarWorld made a good start in the second half of 2015. The volumes sold in July plus the current order backlog for 2015 already add up to more than 500 MW. The company was able to win orders to deliver modules to international large-scale projects. The biggest single order has a volume of 50 MW, which will be delivered to a project in Central Asia.
Dr.-Ing. E. h. Frank Asbeck, CEO of SolarWorld AG: “Our numbers in the first half show that we are on track to achieve our forecast. In the remaining months of this year, we will concentrate our efforts on continuing the growth trend and further reducing costs to achieve a positive operating result for fiscal year 2015, as planned. For our future business success, we are further investing in high-performance technologies. In the first half year, we again set a world record for efficiency. Beginning in the fourth quarter, we will also offer bifacial solar power modules, which are not only extremely robust and durable, but which also use the indirect light on the back of the module to generate electricity. This enables an additional yield of up to 25 percent.”
SolarWorld REAL VALUE: SolarWorld manufactures and sells high-tech solar power solutions and in doing so contributes to a cleaner energy supply worldwide. The group, headquartered in Bonn, Germany, employs approximately 3,500 people and carries out production in Freiberg, Germany; Arnstadt, Germany; and Hillsboro, USA. From raw material silicon to solar wafers, cells and modules, SolarWorld manages all stages of production ‒ including its own research and development. Through an international distribution network with locations in Europe, USA, Singapore, Japan and South Africa, SolarWorld supplies customers all over the world. The company maintains high social standards at all locations across the globe, and has committed itself to resource- and energy-efficient production. SolarWorld was founded in 1998 and has been publically traded on the stock market since 1999. More information at https://www.solarworld-uk.co.uk/