Meyer Burger Technology AG (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) today announced that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a strategic collaboration with REC Solar Pte. Ltd. (REC). This MoU is in line with the announcement on 22 July 2019 that the Board of Directors plans to explore all strategic options for Meyer Burger’s business model with increased focus on shareholder value creation. Based on the ground-breaking module efficiency and value achieved with its Alpha module production, REC plans to increase its 600 MW HJT / SmartWire (SWCT™) manufacturing capacity to multiple GW, using equipment from Meyer Burger and in cooperation with a potential strategic down-stream partner.
In exchange for adequate exclusivity protection for specific HJT and SmartWire Connection technologies, REC is prepared in principal to enter into a profit sharing agreement with Meyer Burger, which will create equitable benefits and significant long-term shareholder value for both parties. This new business model is expected to allow Meyer Burger to both benefit from the commercial value of its disruptive high-efficiency technology as well as protect its intellectual property in the coming years, thereby reducing the risk of commoditization which Meyer Burger has experienced in its main markets in the past.
Hans Brändle, CEO of Meyer Burger, states: “This represents a fundamental change to industrial dynamics, thereby valuing our leading edge technology and our continuous efforts to drive the PV technology roadmap.” A definitive agreement on the profit share and reach of exclusivity still has to be agreed between REC and Meyer Burger in the coming months and approved by the respective Boards of Directors. In particular, a longer term exclusivity agreement will have to be compensated by large equipment orders and a commensurate profit share calculated on the Watt peak capacity of Alpha solar module sales by REC.
