CEO Kietphong Noichaiboon yesterday said the company's Bt1.4-billion plant would be ready in the third quarter of next year to start producing single crystalline and poly-crystalline for solar cells.

"A solution for selling a stake in Ekarat Solar to our new partner is going through the study process. We may raise our registered capital and sell new shares to our partner or may sell our existing shares, depending on business demand," he said.

The future for solar cells looks brighter as countries around the world have turned to alternative energy since oil prices soared.

Kietphong, who is also CEO of Ekarat Solar's parent, Ekarat Engineering, said Ekarat Solar expected its sales to jump from Bt700 million next year to Bt2 billion in 2008 and Bt3 billion in 2009.

Ekarat Engineering believes it will achieve its sale target of Bt1.7 billion this year after it posted sales of Bt1.2 billion and a net profit of Bt99.33 million in the first nine months. The company forecasts sales growing 15 per cent to Bt1.95 billion next year and Bt2.4 billion in 2009.

After Ekarat Solar's plant in the Amata City Industry Estate in Rayong is completed and goes on stream, it will generate higher sales than Ekarat Engineering, which is now witnessing strong growth on the back of surging electricity demand.

Ekarat Engineering is a major producer and distributor of distribution transformers, ranging from 1 kilovolt-amp to 20,000kVA, oil and dry transformers and transformer accessories, enjoying a 29-per-cent share of a market valued at Bt5.14 billion this year.

Somluck Srimalee

The Nation