aleo solar AG today announced that it generated revenue of EUR 68.3 million in the first six months of 2013. This means that aleo solar's revenue decreased by 58.9% compared to the first half of 2012 (EUR 166.4 million). Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) came in at EUR –29.3 million (EUR –23.5 million), and the EBIT margin was –42.9 percent (–14.1 percent). Earnings per share amounted to EUR –2.54 (EUR –1.87).
aleo solar AG operates in what remains a difficult market environment. The only one of the company’s core markets in which new installed photovoltaic capacity is increasing is the United States. This contrasts with its main sales region of Europe, where aleo solar is faced with shrinking markets. In Italy, for example, new installed capacity fell massively to 676 megawatts (MW) from 2,005 MW in the first half of 2012. New installed capacity in Germany also decreased sharply from 4,374 MW to around 1,800 MW. “Less favourable feed-in regulations, contracting markets and the erosion of prices continue to result in a very tense situation,” said York zu Putlitz, CEO of aleo solar AG. “We support our customers in Germany and Italy in the switch to an own-consumption market, with our strong brand and our training courses serving as the basis of ensuring customer loyalty.”
In addition to the weak demand, declining prices also put pressure on the revenue and margins of aleo solar AG. Module prices dropped by around 25 percent compared with the first six months of last year. However, the rapid price erosion seen in preceding years decelerated significantly in the first quarter and particularly in the second quarter of 2013.
Robert Bosch GmbH, which holds 90.7 percent of aleo solar AG as its main shareholder, had announced at the end of March that it was exiting the crystalline photovoltaic sector. Since then, it has been looking for a buyer to take over the majority shareholding. Independently of this sale, Robert Bosch GmbH has assured aleo solar AG of financing until the end of March 2014. Talks with potential investors are currently on-going. Plans are to determine a buyer in the second half of 2013.