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SolarWorld Nearly Triples Profits

SolarWorld released provisional figures for Fiscal Year 2005, showing that groups profits hit 52 million EUR, almost tripling from the previous year (18 million EUR). Group sales grew over the previous year by more than 75 per cent reaching 355 (previous year: 199) million EUR. The return on sales improved to 15 (previous year: 9) percent. The return on equity of 24 (previous year: 14) percent reflects the increased profitability of the group business. As at 31 December 2005, the equity ratio amounted to 48 (previous year: 45) percent and emphasizes the group’s solid pattern of finance. Earnings before interests, taxes, depreciations and amortizations (EBITDA) increased in comparison with 2004 by 120 percent to 108 (previous year: 49) million EUR. The group result before interests and taxes (EBIT) climbed by 170 percent to 88 percent (previous year: 33 million EUR). The EBIT margin thus improved to 25 (previous year: 17) percent. All business units practiced consistent cost management to make a contribution to the high margin result. The group-wide growth has led to a further growth of employment. In comparison with the previous year the number of employees increased by 143 staff to 759 men and women until the end […]

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SatCon Wins NASA Contract

SatCon Technology Corporation (SATC) has been awarded a Phase I SBIR contract with NASA’s John H. Glenn Research Center for development work on a superconducting machine for future hybrid and all-electric aircraft. SatCon’s Applied Technology division is developing a new technology superconducting machine with the goals of improved efficiency, reduced size, and reduced cost over competing superconducting machinery technologies. SatCon is pursuing a novel design approach that uses modified-Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) cryo-cooler technology and conventional drive technology. The initial design is targeted as a propulsion motor for unmanned all electric aircraft, but the technology is also suitable for hybrid electric aircraft as a main superconducting generator. This solution can also be considered for future marine applications as generators or propulsion motors. SatCon will collaborate with cryogenics systems experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to de-risk and develop the superconducting propulsion motor. For Phase II, SatCon will seek to collaborate with an aircraft manufacturer to develop a design prototype targeted for a specific aircraft application. SatCon’s President and COO, Millard Firebaugh stated, “Hybrid and all-electric aircraft, represent a path towards reduced dependence on foreign oil imports and a sustainable future for the aerospace industry, and SatCon is developing the enabling electric […]

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