Margins Heightened, Significant Cost Reductions, Shipments Increased
CHANGZHOU, China, July 27 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ - Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL - News; "Trina Solar" or the "Company"), a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of photovoltaic, or PV, modules, today announced the following selected estimated financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.
For the second quarter 2009, the Company estimates:
-- total shipments of approximately 63 MW to 65 MW of PV modules, compared
to the Company's previous guidance of 60 MW to 65 MW, an increase of
29.1% to 33.2% from the first quarter of 2009 and an increase of 32.4%
to 36.6% from the second quarter of 2008.
-- total net revenues of approximately $148 million to $152 million, an
increase of 12.0% to 15.1% from the first quarter of 2009 and a
decrease of 25.6% to 27.5% from the second quarter of 2008.
-- gross margin of approximately 26.0% to 28.0%, compared to the Company's
previous guidance of 18% to 20%, and an increase from 17.2% in the
first quarter of 2009 and 14.3% in the second quarter of 2008.
-- operating margin to be approximately 11.5% to 13.5%, compared to 5.2%
in the first quarter of 2009. Operating income in the second quarter
includes an approximately $5 million write-off of accounts receivable
due to the uncollectibility of such amount from one of the Company's
customers based in Germany.
"We are pleased with our results during the second quarter, which we believe reflect Trina Solar's brand being recognized increasingly for its quality and performance by both our customers and their lenders," said Jifan Gao, Chairman and CEO of Trina Solar. "Our improved operating performance reflects a steady improvement in the global solar marketplace and a supportive regulatory environment, and supports the strength of our business model, as the overall cost of solar energy declines and the cost of ownership falls."
The above selected estimated results for the second quarter of 2009 are preliminary and are subject to the completion of the Company's normal quarter-end closing procedures. The Company's actual results may differ from these estimates.
Cell and Module Capacity
Through yield increases achieved from improved cell conversion efficiency rates, improved production efficiencies and manufacturing line enhancements, the Company is on target to increase its annualized in-house production capacities of PV cells and modules from the current 400 MW to approximately 450 MW by the end of September 2009. Furthermore, the Company expects to increase approximately 150 MW of additional capacity as part of its new East Campus capacity expansion initiative, achieving a total annualized cell and module production capacity of 600 MW by the end of 2009.
Recent Debt Facilities
In July 2009, the Company borrowed approximately $80 million in loans due on June 30, 2010 from a domestic bank to support its East Campus capacity expansion project. The loans bear an average annual interest rate of 5.23%, payable monthly, and are dominated in Euros, U.S. dollars and Renminbi. The loans are expected to become a part of a five-year project financing arrangement that the Company is finalizing with domestic banks.
Third Quarter and Full Year Guidance
For the third quarter of 2009, the Company expects to ship between 90 MW and 110 MW of PV modules. For the full year of 2009, the Company reiterates the guidance for total PV module shipments between 350 MW to 400 MW, representing an increase of 74% to 99% from 2008.
The above guidance is based on the Company's current views with respect to operating and market conditions, which are subject to change. The Company will review its second quarter 2009 results during a conference call expected to be held between August 17 to 21, 2009. Conference call details will be made available approximately two weeks prior to the call via a separate announcement, available at the Company's website at http://www.trinasolar.com .
