Due to rising capacity utilization rates and rising solar cell prices in the first quarter of 2013, Taiwan-based solar cell maker Motech saw gross margin rise to negative 8% from negative 15.7% in the fourth quarter of 2012.
According to Jack Hsieh, vice president, CFO and spokesperson of Motech, there is a possibility that gross margin will turn positive in the second quarter and prices are likely to continue rising. Motech aims to lower operating costs and continues to be conservative about capex in 2013.
Hsieh noted that 2013 capex is around NT$200-300 million.
Motech reported first-quarter 2013 consolidated revenues of NT$3.667 billion (US$124 million), representing an on-quarter increase of 11% but an on-year decrease of 6%.
Hsieh added that prices of solar cells continue to rise with quarterly increases of around 10%. Demand from emerging markets continues to increase, hence capacity utilization rate has been high, said Hsieh.
As for the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation in the EU, Hsieh stated that there are too many uncertainties that may influence the results.
