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centrotherm photovoltaics AG

EANS-News: Success in the thin film division: centrotherm photovoltaics achieves 13 percent efficiency for mass production

Blaubeuren (euro adhoc) -

- Patented production process translates to competitive advantages
  - Pilot plant enables efficient technology transfer to production
  Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely
  responsible for the content of this announcement.
companies
Blaubeuren, August 10, 2009 - centrotherm
photovoltaics AG has succeeded in raising its cell efficiency to 13 
percent based on its own equipment and process know-how in its thin 
film division. The company obtained this outcome using a process that
can be implemented for mass production, and consequently expects 
efficiencies of up to 12 percent for its turnkey lines for industrial
manufacturing of 1.5 m² thin film modules.
As a result, the technology equipment provider for the production of 
solar silicon, crystalline solar cells and CIGS (copper indium 
gallium diselenide) thin film modules is pursuing its corporate goal 
of cutting costs per watt peak in its thin film division too. The 
company is advancing highly efficient CIGS thin film technology 
because this enables centrotherm to offer its customers the highest 
efficiencies currently available, accompanied by low production costs
at the same time. In addition - by comparison with other 
manufacturing technologies - the new CIGS module manufacturing 
process does not entail toxic process gases.
"The efficiencies for thin film modules already achieved in 
laboratories demonstrate the potentials this technology holds. The 
challenge, however, is to make the leap from laboratory to mass 
production," explained Dr. Peter Fath, CTO of centrotherm 
photovoltaics. "Our advantage in CIGS technology lies in simple and 
robust process management, and selection process steps that can be 
transferred easily from small areas to larger ones." The centrotherm 
photovoltaics Group maintains its own thin film research and 
development laboratory in Blaubeuren, where a complete CIGS pilot 
production plant for 0.1 m² thin film modules has been in operation 
since 2008.
The photovoltaics experts from Blaubeuren use 1.5 m² modules in the 
thin film area because these offer optimal production and assembly 
costs at the targeted efficiencies, thereby enabling customers to 
achieve competitive production conditions over the longer term. The 
modules, which are constructed as glass- glass sandwiches, are 
produced on the basis of a patented two-step process. In the first 
step, the metallic films are removed in sputtering plants. Conversion
to the CIGS crystal phase occurs in a second, thermal step. This 
process management makes a significant contribution to efficient 
manufacturing that is accompanied by low production costs and high 
efficiencies at the same time. "The success of our division, which is
still in its infancy, shows that we are on the right path with our 
research and development investments, and the expansion of this 
area," Fath went on to comment. The first turnkey CIGS production 
line with an annual capacity of more than 30 MW is currently being 
commissioned and ramped up at an Asian customer. With an area of 1.5 
m², the intention is that, by 2009, this will be the first, and to 
date largest, CIGS module to be manufactured on a mass production 
basis.
About centrotherm photovoltaics AG Headquartered in Blaubeuren, 
Germany, centrotherm photovoltaics AG is one of the world's leading 
technology and equipment providers for the manufacturing of solar 
silicon, crystalline solar cells and CIGS thin film modules. 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 efficiency, and completion deadlines for turnkey lines. The Group 
employs around 1,100 staff members, and operates in Europe, Asia and 
the USA. centrotherm photovoltaics achieved revenue in the 2008 
financial year of EUR 375 million, EBIT of EUR 56 million*, and is 
listed in the TecDax of the Frankfurt Securities Exchange. (*before 
purchase price allocations)
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
Index: TecDAX
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
Hamburg / free trade
Stuttgart / free trade
Düsseldorf / free trade
München / free trade

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