Schott Panels

[dbvicker]

anyone have any feedback on Schott Solar panels? We have not installed any of this brand, so I was wondering if anyone had any input on how they are

[Rembot]

Schott Panels

Howdy! I just registered here, and I think I can give you some input.

I work for an installer/integrator that primarily sells Schott solar panels, and has been since they began manufacturing in the United States.

I can tell you that for performance, they are on par with Sharp, Solarworld, or any other 1st-tier poly-crystalline module.

Where they struggle is in their packaging. The pallets Schott uses are kind of flimsy, so shipping damage can happen if they aren't packaged properly. This means you need to inspect things to make sure they didn't get busted in the shipment.

Overall, I would say they are a safe bet, just make sure to check every panel you get!

[Schott Insider]

Hi dbvicker, thanks for your question. I work for Schott Solar and am happy to provide you with information. If you'd like to contact me, please direct message me and I can have your local sales manager reach out to you with availability and pricing.

Rembot, thanks for your feedback and I'm glad that you're seeing good performance from our modules. Regarding our packaging, we "bulk pack" our modules with plastic spacers to minimize job-site waste. If you're shipping LTL or breaking pallets, we've received feedback that our packaging is not robust enough. There is a very fine line between over-packing and under-packing If you'd like to contact me directly, please don't hesitate to DM me.

[s.xavier]

Schott is a huge company and has been in the business for quite some time.. There are pros and cons for large and small comps.. For modules, you want to take a look at efficiency, performance, durability, solvency, design, weight etc... tons of different metrics.

As for myself, i'm sort of a fan of usa based company with solar modules made here though...

[Schott Insider]

Schott is a huge company and has been in the business for quite some time.. There are pros and cons for large and small comps.. For modules, you want to take a look at efficiency, performance, durability, solvency, design, weight etc... tons of different metrics.

I agree with you 100%. You should always make sure you are using the right product from a technical standpoint to maximize your system. Yes, Schott is a multi-national highly diversified manufacturing group with over 17,000 employees. While that makes us a little slow on occasion, it also makes us one of the most bankable companies in the solar market. The parent company has been around for over 125 years. You can bank on the fact that Schott will be around for at least another 25 to see the performance guarantee through.

As for myself, i'm sort of a fan of usa based company with solar modules made here though...

Schott Solar is a global manufacturer with a state-of-the-art PV manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, NM. Schott Solar modules quality for BAA, TAA, and ARRA funds. In addition to the solar business, Schott employees almost 3,000 people in the U.S. across over 15 sites.

[Naptown]

I agree with you 100%. You should always make sure you are using the right product from a technical standpoint to maximize your system. Yes, Schott is a multi-national highly diversified manufacturing group with over 17,000 employees. While that makes us a little slow on occasion, it also makes us one of the most bankable companies in the solar market. The parent company has been around for over 125 years. You can bank on the fact that Schott will be around for at least another 25 to see the performance guarantee through.



Schott Solar is a global manufacturer with a state-of-the-art PV manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, NM. Schott Solar modules quality for BAA, TAA, and ARRA funds. In addition to the solar business, Schott employees almost 3,000 people in the U.S. across over 15 sites.

Give me a warm feeling. Please describe the corporate structure of Schott USA. Is this a wholly owned US subsidiary of the parent company?

There were many very large multi nationals that traded on their names in the 80's on thermal systems.
Grumman aerospace, Revere ( pot and pan maker) Reynolds Metals ( Reynolds wrap) Ramada ( hotels) to name a few.
All were gone shut up shop within 6 months of the end of the credits then. They were also able to skate on most if not all warranties.
Now take a couple of smaller companies like AET and Heliodyne, small companies whose ONLY business was solar and continues to be only solar 25 continuous yyears plus later.

[s.xavier]

concur rich... really depends on the business and perspective of the person. pros/cons....

they teach in biz school to focus on a core product line so there are some challenges with large companies... those who manage it well will rock.

value in both businesses so it is hard to say which will ultimately be better.

[Schott Insider]

Give me a warm feeling. Please describe the corporate structure of Schott USA. Is this a wholly owned US subsidiary of the parent company?

I'm worried I'd bore you to death if I explained the intricacies of the corporate structure. Like most large multi-nationals Schott is a very complex organization. There's a whole section on the company's corporate website devoted to the structure (http://www.schott.com/english/compan...structure.html) and from there you can also peak at our annual report.

You're right, just being part of a large company doesn't guarantee the group's survival. But it's a surer bet compared to a pure-player PV manufacturer. And if you're listening to any of the analyst calls as of late, it's a serious worry across the industry.

[Schott Insider]

they teach in biz school to focus on a core product line so there are some challenges with large companies... those who manage it well will rock.

If Schott was talking about becoming an EPC company I'd agree with you. What we do is precision manufacturing and we do it well. If you look at our other businesses you'll see that a lot of the competencies we've developed in our pharma business, electronic packaging, and semi-con has translated into industry best practices in PV.

Schott, through a series of acquisitions and JVs, has been in the PV business for over 50 years and we have modules in the field in excess of 20 years that are still cranking out power at about 90% of nameplate rating. Not many other folks can make that claim.

[Naptown]

I'm worried I'd bore you to death if I explained the intricacies of the corporate structure. Like most large multi-nationals Schott is a very complex organization. There's a whole section on the company's corporate website devoted to the structure (http://www.schott.com/english/compan...structure.html) and from there you can also peak at our annual report.

You're right, just being part of a large company doesn't guarantee the group's survival. But it's a surer bet compared to a pure-player PV manufacturer. And if you're listening to any of the analyst calls as of late, it's a serious worry across the industry.

It's really a yes or no question.
Is Schott solar USA a separate corporation owned in whole or part by the parent company.

[Naptown]

If Schott was talking about becoming an EPC company I'd agree with you. What we do is precision manufacturing and we do it well. If you look at our other businesses you'll see that a lot of the competencies we've developed in our pharma business, electronic packaging, and semi-con has translated into industry best practices in PV.

Schott, through a series of acquisitions and JVs, has been in the PV business for over 50 years and we have modules in the field in excess of 20 years that are still cranking out power at about 90% of nameplate rating. Not many other folks can make that claim.

OK sounds like you bought your way into the PV business. I know you have been doing concentrating thermal for a long time.
You may have the highest compentency in all areas. However that does not mean when the business climate goes south that the parent will continue to pour money into a bottomless pit.

I'm not saying you make a bad product, Actually a good one IMHO.
I just tend to be skeptical of the large company stability angle to marketing. What you are telling me is contrary to corporate policy in 99 44/100% of large well managed companies. The losing divisions get dumped.

I forgot who exactly said this and I am paraphrasing to some extent. But he who ignores history is doomed to repeat it.

[Schott Insider]

It's really a yes or no question.
Is Schott solar USA a separate corporation owned in whole or part by the parent company.

It isn't a simple yes or no, it is complex, but to answer your question: SCHOTT Solar PV, Inc. (the US division) is a wholly owned subsidiary of SCHOTT Solar PV AG (the German solar parent).

OK sounds like you bought your way into the PV business.

Our business has evolved over time based on our different partners. Here's a snapshot of how it has developed over the last 50 years: http://www.schottsolar.com/us/about-us/history/

You may have the highest compentency in all areas. However that does not mean when the business climate goes south that the parent will continue to pour money into a bottomless pit.

That's very true. However a large and diversified company like Schott Solar is able to adapt to an evolving market better than pure player PV manufacturers. One of the big reasons Evergreen could no longer be competitive is because their string-ribbon technology was great when Si prices were high, but irrelevant when they plummeted. They didn't have the access to the capital to evolve because they were a one-trick pony (that's an overly simplistic view, but a very relevant example).

And the Bank of China has said they are loosing patience with their investments in the Chinese companies. Greentech Media had a great chart that showed the levels of debt of the large Chinese PV companies a week or two ago. Even free money has to be paid back.

I just tend to be skeptical of the large company stability angle to marketing. What you are telling me is contrary to corporate policy in 99 44/100% of large well managed companies. The losing divisions get dumped.

You're right, if SCHOTT Solar was losing money consistently with no sign of profitability, then it wouldn't be prudent for the parent company to hold on to it. But we have access to cash to fund our development and invest in R+D. Those are activities that will help ensure the continued long-term success of the company.

Based on our financials, compared to what's publicly available from our competitors, we're doing very well in a difficult market.

[s.xavier]

That's very true. However a large and diversified company like Schott Solar is able to adapt to an evolving market better than pure player PV manufacturers. One of the big reasons Evergreen could no longer be competitive is because their string-ribbon technology was great when Si prices were high, but irrelevant when they plummeted. They didn't have the access to the capital to evolve because they were a one-trick pony (that's an overly simplistic view, but a very relevant example).

I will have to respectfully disagree with you on that. Companies that focus directly on a core product line in line with their core competency will clearly have an advantage and be better off than companies that offers a diverse product line. Like what you said about Schott being a large multinational company, managing the different functions and markets present enormous challenges and few do it well. With that said, a Pure solar company shouldn't go into the market blindly with no clear cut strategy. Evergreen's failure imo rests on management. They executed poorly and didn't have a clear vision on how solar would evolve. hmmm comes down to leadership in either case and technology... Leading a company of 100 or leading a company of 10k ... we all know which is easier

And the Bank of China has said they are loosing patience with their investments in the Chinese companies. Greentech Media had a great chart that showed the levels of debt of the large Chinese PV companies a week or two ago. Even free money has to be paid back.

never underestimate the value of power... power = $$$ .. the only way for china to be competitive and all other countries is finding a cost effective energy solution that is diversified.

China is ruled by one party, if they understand the fundamental challenges when it comes to power, the party will make every attempt to provide energy so that the country continues to grow regardless of the costs. As long as the investment will at some point breakeven there is a ROI. You can compound that ROI if you take into account the macro benefits.

[Schott Insider]

I will have to respectfully disagree with you on that. Companies that focus directly on a core product line in line with their core competency will clearly have an advantage and be better off than companies that offers a diverse product line.

I understand what you're saying and would like to point out that companies like IBM, Siemens, GE, Bosch, etc. are all highly successful companies.

As it relates to PV, the graveyard of PV manufacturing facilities are growing by the day and many of them are "pure player" manufacturers.
- Solyndra
- Spectrawatt
- SolarWorld (closed CA)
- BP
- Solon (closed Tucson)

And that's just in the last few months.

never underestimate the value of power... power = $$$

That's my mantra! Solar energy is economics. You're right that China is in it for more than building a manufacturing base and employing the proletariat. But, they are losing patience with some of the folks holding huge bags of debt that don't have a clear path to pay it back. You're going to see a wave of disruption / consolidation in Asia coming soon.

Your points are all well taken and we would have a great discussion over a beer. I'm buying. In Dallas at SPI. And I"m looking forward to it.

[Naptown]

I understand what you're saying and would like to point out that companies like IBM, Siemens, GE, Bosch, etc. are all highly successful companies.

As it relates to PV, the graveyard of PV manufacturing facilities are growing by the day and many of them are "pure player" manufacturers.
- Solyndra
- Spectrawatt
- SolarWorld (closed CA)
- BP
- Solon (closed Tucson)

And that's just in the last few months.



That's my mantra! Solar energy is economics. You're right that China is in it for more than building a manufacturing base and employing the proletariat. But, they are losing patience with some of the folks holding huge bags of debt that don't have a clear path to pay it back. You're going to see a wave of disruption / consolidation in Asia coming soon.

Your points are all well taken and we would have a great discussion over a beer. I'm buying. In Dallas at SPI. And I"m looking forward to it.

I will be there and you will regret that offer. Seems I have a hollow leg