SolarWorld
 | |
| Type | Aktiengesellschaft |
|---|---|
| Traded as | FWB: SWV |
| Industry | Photovoltaics |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Bonn, Germany |
| Key people | Frank H. Asbeck (founder and CEO), Claus Recktenwald (Chairman of the supervisory board) |
| Products | Solar cells, silicon wafers, photovoltaic modules |
| Revenue | €1.305 billion (2010)[1] |
| Operating income | €192.8 million (2010)[1] |
| Profit | €87.3 million (2010)[1] |
| Total assets | €2.635 billion (end 2010)[1] |
| Total equity | €922.9 million (end 2010)[1] |
| Employees | 2,380 (end 2010)[1] |
| Subsidiaries |
SolarWorld Innovations GmbH Sunicon AG Deutsche Solar AG Deutsche Cell GmbH Solar Factory GmbH [2] SolarWorld Industries America |
| Website | www.solarworld.com |
SolarWorld is a German company dedicated to the manufacture and marketing photovoltaic products worldwide by integrating all components of the solar value chain, from feedstock (silicon) to module production, from trade with solar panels to the promotion and construction of turn-key solar power plants. The group controls the development of solar power technologies at all levels in-house.
SolarWorld AG is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange,[2] the Photovoltaik Global 30 Index and the ÖkoDAX.
History
SolarWorld was founded in 1988 as individual company by engineer and chief executive officer Frank Asbeck,[3] and engaged in projects to produce renewable energy.[4] In 1998, these activities were transferred to the newly founded SolarWorld AG, which went public on 11 August 1999.[4]
Shell divested its crystalline silicon solar business activities to SolarWorld.[5]
SolarWorld has received German Sustainability Award in the category of "Germany’s Most Sustainable Production 2008".[6]
Facilities
Within the SolarWorld Group many specialized workers are employed in the enterprise's units located in Bonn (headquarters), Freiberg, Sweden, Camarillo, California, and Hillsboro, Oregon (US headquarters).
The business also has a facility in Hillsboro, Oregon. The newer Hillsboro factory was purchased in 2007 from Japan's Komatsu Group.[7] It is the largest solar cell manufacturing facility in North America.[8]
SolarWorld AG has sales offices in Germany, Spain, USA, South Africa and Singapore.
Grid parity
SolarWorld has called for lowering Germany's lucrative solar incentives (feed-in tariffs). SolarWorld CEO Frank Asbeck is supporting a 10 percent to 15 percent drop for the incentives in 2010; the current policy calls for an 8 percent to 10 percent decline.
Vehicles
SolarWorld is the main sponsor of the SolarWorld No. 1 solar car developed by the FH Bochum SolarCar Team.[9]
On 19 November 2008, SolarWorld AG announced a bid to buy German automaker Opel from General Motors.[10] The bid was for 1 billion Euro, 250 million being paid in cash and 750 million being paid in bank credits. SolarWorld specified conditions such as Opel should be split from General Motors.[11] Solarworld announced that it intends to create the first electric automotive OEM. However, GM rejected the bid saying "Opel is not for sale".[12]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Annual Report 2010". SolarWorld. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Solarworld AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange)". Reuters. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
- ↑ "SolarWorld AG Company Profile". Yahoo! Finance. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "SolarWorld FAQs". SolarWorld AG. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
- ↑ "Shell Announces Additional Hydrogen Stations in US and Wind and Solar Power MoUs". Green Car Congress. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
- ↑ http://www.dgap.de/link.php?sprache=en&a=10&v=en&von=19970101&typ=news&isin=DE0005108401&id=393370
- ↑ "Solarworld comes to Hillsboro". American City Business Journals. 2007-03-01. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
- ↑ "SolarWorld Opens North America's Largest Solar Cell Manufacturing Facility" (Press release). SolarWorld. 2008-10-17.
- ↑ "The Team". SolarWorld No. 1. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
- ↑ Christoph Hammerschmidt. "Solar company announces bid for General Motors subsidiary Opel". Electronic Engineering Times. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
- ↑ "German group SolarWorld bids 1bln euros for Opel". Yahoo!7. Retrieved 2008-11-18.
- ↑ GM rejects bid
External links
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