Germany's Siemens pulls plug on solar ambitions

FRANKFURT (AFP) - German engineering giant Siemens said on Monday it is pulling the plug on its activities in solar energy owing to cut-throat competition and waning public subsidies.

Siemens said it "plans to divest its solar business activities and is currently holding talks with potential buyers on this subject". It would instead focus its renewable energy activities on wind and hydro power, said the group, which previously boasted it plans to become a champion of "green" energy.

"The energy division will be slimmed down and the Solar and Hydro Division will be discontinued," it said, adding that the Solar and Hydro Division generated revenue "in the low triple-digit millions" in the business year ended September 30, 2012 and has "roughly 800 employees". Siemens explained that the solar business had not been so profitable as hoped.

"Due to the changed framework conditions, lower growth and strong price pressure in the solar markets, the company's expectations for its solar energy activities have not been met," it said.