Margins Heightened, Significant Cost Reductions, Shipments Increased
CHANGZHOU, China, July 27 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ - Trina Solar
Limited (NYSE: TSL) ("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 .
About Trina Solar Limited
Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) is a well recognized manufacturer of high
quality modules and has a long history as a solar PV pioneer since it was
founded in 1997 as a system installation company. Trina Solar is one of the
few PV manufacturers that has developed a vertically integrated business model
from the production of monocrystalline and multicrystalline silicon ingots,
wafers and cells to the assembly of high quality modules. Trina Solar's
products provide reliable and environmentally-friendly electric power for a
growing variety of end-user applications worldwide.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this
announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the
Company's ability to raise additional capital to finance the Company's
activities; the effectiveness, profitability and marketability of its products;
the future trading of the securities of the Company; the period of time for
which the Company's current liquidity will enable the Company to fund its
operations; general economic and business conditions; the volatility of the
Company's operating results and financial condition; and other risks detailed
in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties
and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections
about the Company and the industry in which the Company operates. The Company
undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect
subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or to changes in its
expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes
that the expectations expressed in these forward looking statements are
reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be
correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ
materially from the anticipated results.
For further information, please contact:
Trina Solar Limited
Terry Wang, CFO
Phone: +86-519-8548-2009 (Changzhou)
Thomas Young, Director of Investor Relations
Phone: +86-519-8548-2009 (Changzhou)
Email: ir@trinasolar.com
Brunswick Group
Caroline Jinqing Cai
Phone: +86-10-6566-2256
Michael Fuchs
Phone: +86-10-6566-2256
Email: trina@brunswickgroup.com
SOURCE Trina Solar Limited
-0- 07/27/2009
/CONTACT: Trina Solar Limited - Terry Wang, CFO at +86-519-8548-2009;
Thomas Young, Director of Investor Relations at +86-519-8548-2009 or
ir@trinasolar.com; Brunswick Group - Caroline Jinqing Cai at +86-10-6566-2256;
Michael Fuchs at +86-10-6566-2256 or trina@brunswickgroup.com, both for Trina
Solar Limited/
/Web site: http://www.trinasolar.com /
(TSL)
CO: Trina Solar Limited
ST: China
IN: OIL GRE UTI ENV CPR
SU: ERP
DY-MS
-- CNM031 --
9896 07/27/2009 16:37 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com