MiaSole aims to match First Solar's cost

Solar thin-film start-up MiaSole is aiming to be a viable competitor to industry leader First Solar (FSLR.O) by lowering manufacturing costs of its panels as it ramps up production and opens a new U.S. plant.

MiaSole's current manufacturing costs are over $1 per watt, said Chief Executive Joseph Laia Jr.

First Solar, one of the world's largest solar module makers, has the lowest production costs in the industry for its thin film cadmium telluride panels. The company broke $1 per watt in 2008 and reached 85 cents per watt in 2009.

While Laia declined to reveal MiaSole's exact manufacturing cost per watt, he said getting the cost down would be a major focus of the company this year.

"Can we get close to those guys (First Solar)? Yes," Laia told Reuters this week. "By the end of the year, we will be pretty close to them in costs."

Labels: First Solar Inc, FSLR, miasole, Solar Energy, Solar Stocks

posted by Ertai at 10:00 AM