EANS-News: centrotherm photovoltaics AG
Photon's 4th Photovoltaic Technology
Show Europe 2009:
centrotherm photovoltaics reports positive trade fair outcome
Blaubeuren (euro adhoc) -
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technology/products
Blaubeuren, March 18, 2009 - Photon's 4th Photovoltaic Technology Show Europe, which was held in early March in Munich, will remain a fixture in centrotherm photovoltaics AG's trade fair calendar. "Our presence at this trade fair has proved more than worthwhile for us," commented Robert Hartung, CEO of centrotherm photovoltaics AG. "We experienced an extremely strong footfall of visitors at the Munich trade fair, made a large number of interesting contacts, and held promising contract negotiations."
centrotherm photovoltaics attracted attention from the very start of the trade fair with a successful announcement from its silicon division: announcing "First Silicon Out" the company confirmed the successful start of silicon production at its customer Asia Silicon. Furthermore, centrotherm photovoltaics presented its new turnkey production line "FlexLine Plus" being characterized by effectively improved efficiencies. For multicrystalline cells an efficiency of 16.6 percent is guaranteed. For monocrystalline cells the company raised efficiency to 18.0 percent which is above the current industry average of 15.4 percent for multicrystalline and 16.5 percent for monocrystalline cells. "Our R&D activities are focused not only on new products but also on constant analysis and improvement of existing production processes," comments Dr. Peter Fath, CTO of centrotherm photovoltaics. "These new efficiencies strengthen our leading role in technology and address the competitive market´s needs as well as our customers´ demand for a production environment based on up-to-date technology."
The "Module Technology" division, which was presented for the first time at the trade fair, also sparked enthusiastic interest among visitors: with this business area, GP Solar GmbH, a further centrotherm photovoltaics 100% subsidiary, supplements the product range of the Blaubeuren-based company to include crystalline module production. This range comprises both individual engineering packages as well as turnkey solutions and services for purchasing, sales and certification. Demand in this area for complete packages that combine both high performance and cost efficiency was particularly strong among representatives from new markets such as Australia, Turkey and Morocco. "Technology leadership is critical to a company's future viability, particularly in periods of recession," explained Robert Hartung. "We are exhilarated to have led advanced sales conversations in this tense market environment and consider ourselves ideally positioned to enable our customers to achieve cost savings with efficient solutions offering enhanced performance at the same time."
About centrotherm photovoltaics AG centrotherm photovoltaics AG, which is based at Blaubeuren, is one of the world's leading technology and service-providers for the manufacturing of solar cells and solar silicon. The broad product spectrum comprises key equipment and turnkey production lines for crystalline and thin film solar cells. The product range is supplemented by reactors and converters for the manufacturing of solar silicon. centrotherm photovoltaics guarantees its customers important performance parameters such as production capacity, degree of efficacy, and completion deadlines for turnkey lines. The Group employs more than 1,000 staff members, and operates in Europe, Asia and the USA. centrotherm photovoltaics achieved revenue in the 2008 financial year of EUR375 million, EBIT of EUR56 million, and is listed in the TecDax of the Frankfurt Securities Exchange. (*Provisional figures before purchase price allocation)
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Company contact:
Saskia Schultz-Ebert
Senior Manager Investor Relations
Tel: +49 7344 918-8890
E-mail: saskia.schultz-ebert@centrotherm.de
Press contact:
Christina Siebels, Grit Pauli
HOSCHKE & CONSORTEN Public Relations GmbH
Tel: +49 40 3690 50-58 /-31
E-mail: c.siebels@hoschke.de; g.pauli@hoschke.de
Branche: Energy
ISIN: DE000A0JMMN2
WKN: A0JMMN
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard