The solar panel manufacturer also reduced its losses from the fourth quarter of 2009.

Operating loss for the first quarter of 2010 was $14.1m, compared to $59.2m in the first three months of last year.

Meanwhile the firm's shipments increased from the fourth quarter of 2009, to 35.4 megawatts (MW), up from 31.9MW.

Company president Richard Feldt says: “Our Devens facility is performing strongly and our China expansion effort is proceeding as planned.

"As