Chi-jen Chen, chairman of Taiwan-based solar conductive paste firm Giga Solar, has stated January revenues are likely to reach over NT$350 million (US$11 million) due to strong orders from cell makers who have ramped up their production.
Chen added that order visibility for January-February is good and there are many urgent orders, and hence the firm will increase shifts during the Lunar New Year holidays (February 9-16). The rising demand is most likely due to urgent installations before Japan cuts solar incentives in March, said Chen.
In addition, Chen stated, China's government has raised the 2013 installation target from 5GW to 10GW, which will stimulate the capacity utilization rates at China-based firms.
Wen-Jui Huang, general manager of Giga Solar, noted that in 2012 the company's aluminum paste shipments reached 2,500 tons while silver aluminum paste shipments reached 76 tons. Giga Solar also reported 2012 silver paste shipments reached more than one ton.
According to Huang, the firm predicts 2013 aluminum and silver aluminum paste shipments to reach 2,800 tons and 90 tons respectively. In addition, silver paste shipments are likely to show significant growth as shipments in January already exceeded one ton, according to Huang.
Giga Solar pointed out that the Taiwan market is still the firm's biggest market while sales growth in China has been the most significant.
Wen-Jui Huang, general manager of Giga Solar (left), and Chi-jen Chen, chairman of Giga Solar (right)