First Solar may be the world’s largest pure-play solar cell supplier and, as of Friday, the first all-renewables company to join the S&P 500.
Nanosolar, which prints solar cells on aluminum foil, claims greater capital efficiency than First Solar
But this won’t shield it from digs by its competitors, including wannabe Nanosolar. Nanosolar CEO Martin Roscheisen took aim at his larger competitor earlier this week, claiming several key advantages, including capital efficiency.
“We are three times as capital efficient as First Solar,” said Roscheisen, referring to the ratio between the amount of money the San Jose thin-film cell maker spends on manufacturing and its production output.
This will be a significant advantage as both companies invest to grow larger, he said.
Nanosolar, which prints its solar cells on aluminum foil, also has 30 percent lower labor costs. And it can make due with cabling only one-quarter the length of the cables used by First Solar, Roscheisen added during a presentation at the Silicon Valley Photo Voltaics Society.
The executive went on to say his production yields are rising rapidly. However, with First Solar commanding 12.8 percent of the market, almost double its nearest competitor, Nanosolar has a lot of ground to make up.
It will take more than words.
