UPDATE 1-GT Solar's profit tops Street, stock jumps

* 3Q EPS 25 cents vs consensus 15 cents

* 3Q revenue $173.6 mln vs consensus $145.4 mln

* Shares up 15 percent in extended trade

LOS ANGELES, Feb 2 (Reuters) - U.S. solar equipment maker GT Solar International Inc SOLR.O reported on Tuesday a better-than-expected quarterly profit, as it saw higher demand from Asia, sending shares up 15 percent in extended trade.

The company's net income in the fiscal third quarter fell to $36.8 million, or 25 cents per share, compared with $43.1 million, or 30 cents per share, a year ago.

Wall Street analysts expected on average for the company to earn 15 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Like other solar companies, GT Solar has been hit by a fall in prices for solar parts and the credit crisis, which has dried up financing for new projects.

Revenue fell to $173.6 million from $205.2 million a year ago but topped analysts' average estimate of $145.4 million, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Shares of the Merrimack, New Hampshire-based company were up 15 percent at $6.92 in extended trade after closing up 3.8 percent at $6 on the Nasdaq. (Reporting by Laura Isensee; Editing by Bernard Orr)