Moser Baer unit seeks $150 million Nasdaq IPO: Sources

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Morgan Stanley is among the underwriters appointed by Moser Baer Photo Voltaic, which manufactures solar cells and modules, for its U.S. initial public offering (IPO), the two sources said.

Moser Baer Photo would become the latest Asian solar energy firm to raise money via a U.S. listing as renewable energy increasingly attracts interest in a fast-growing region that is largely dependent on oil and gas imports.

The company has started the process and been working on the deal for a few months, but may choose to wait given volatile market conditions, added one source who had been briefed on the plan but was not authorised to speak to the media.

A second source, who is familiar with the company's plans, said an IPO may be a few months away.

Moser Baer Photo said in November it was seeking to invest $150 million on expansion projects and was looking at an overseas listing, though it had not provided details regarding the IPO.

"We are looking at all options to unlock value, but nothing has been finalised as of now. We can't comment on any speculation," said Moser Baer spokesman Deep Ghatak.

Morgan Stanley declined to comment.

Several Asian solar energy firms, led by China, have listed in the United States.

Just last year, China's LDK Solar raised $486 million for a listing in the New York Stock Exchange, while JA Solar Holdings raised $259 million for a Nasdaq listing, according to data from Dealogic.

But global markets have been roiled by a financial crisis that has made many companies hesitant to seek listings this year, especially in overseas markets such as the United States.

So far only one Asian company, ATA Inc, a Chinese provider of computer-based testing services, has had a listing in the United States, raising $48 million. Last year Dealogic counted 30 U.S. listings from Asia, raising a total of $6.9 billion.

Still, deals are getting done. U.S. credit card firm Visa Inc soared as much as 38 percent in its debut on Wednesday after raising $17.9 billion to become the biggest-ever IPO in the United States.