The world's largest solar equipment firm, Germany-based Centrotherm, filed for bankruptcy protection on July 11. Centrothem has been an important provider of solar equipment to Taiwan's solar supply chain.


Centrotherm holds a 20% stake in Sunshine PV, a CIGS subsidiary of Taiwan-based Solartech, and the CIGS equipment of Sunshine PV have been provided by Centrotherm. But Solartech indicated that the bankruptcy filing will not affect the firm.


The solar equipment industry has been facing market downturns and low demand from downstream firms.