13th March 2008

LDK Solar says that based upon its current backlog of contracts, it has almost sold out 100% of its solar wafer capacity for 2008 and has sold more than 90% of its solar wafer capacity for 2009. The long-term nature of its contracts enhances LDK's visibility for its business.

The company is a key manufacturer of multicrystalline solar wafers, which are the principal raw material used to produce solar cells. It sells multicrystalline wafers globally to manufacturers of photovoltaic products, including solar cells and solar modules. In addition, it also provides wafer processing services to monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar cell and module manufacturers.

Meanwhile GT Solar, who provide a range of equipment, services and technology solutions to the solar power industry, says that it has entered into a contract to supply Trina Solar with polysilicon reactors and converters worth $49 MM. The equipment will be used by Trina Solar in conjunction with the company’s announced plans to build and operate a multi-phased polysilicon production facility in Lianyungang, located in China’s Jiangsu Province. The contract is subject to the approvals by the boards of both companies.

This $49 MM contract is for GT Solar’s latest technology 48 rod chemical vapor deposition reactor and silicon tetrachloride (STC) hydrogenation conversion units, which convert STC to trichlrosilane (TCS).

GT Solar CEO, Thomas Zarrella, noted, “We are pleased to announce that this latest contract with Trina Solar reflects GT Solar’s strategic role in meeting the global demand for polysilicon, which is a basic material for the manufacture of solar cells. Our technology and equipment continue to help the solar power industry meet the growth in product demand while helping the industry drive down the cost per kilowatt hour.”

All companies with business plans assume that the market for solar panels will keep growing are hoping that polysilicon has not joined a long list of commodities whose prices have been inflated as investors exit the property market and pour funds into wheat, oil and, presumably silicon.

As a small contribution to demand the UK government is doing what it can to get solar panels onto roofs. New rules to allow homeowners to install solar panels, ground source heat pumps and other microgeneration technologies to help cut carbon emissions have been given the green light by Planning Minister Caroline Flint.

From April 6, all homeowners will be able to install microgeneration equipment, like solar panels, without needing to get planning permission, as long as there is clearly no impact on others.

Currently, the energy used to heat, light and run our homes accounts for 27 per cent of all of the UK's carbon emissions - around 40 million tonnes. Many householders want to install microgeneration technology, but are often put off by the time and cost involved in getting planning permission first.

The new regulations being laid in Parliament today will help to add to 100,000 households that have cut both their fuel bills and carbon footprint by installing microgeneration equipment in their homes, without them having in future to go through the planning application process.

Planning Minister Caroline Flint said: "We want to make it easier to help people reduce their carbon footprint. Technology like solar panels can make a real difference, but homeowners can be put off by the time and expense of getting planning permission. We think it is right that people have more freedom to make these changes providing it has no impact on others.

"These new rules, together with our world-leading timetable for all new homes to be zero carbon from 2016, are a key part of our commitment to tackle climate change by reducing emissions from housing."

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