centrotherm photovoltaics achieves milestone at silicon installations

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technology

Blaubeuren (euro adhoc) - centrotherm photovoltaics achieves
milestone at silicon installations

• First technical center worldwide to develop reactors and converters
for the production of polysilicon at work • Successful reactor
start • Transfer of know-how from solar cell to silicon production

Blaubeuren, April 07, 2008 - centrotherm photovoltaics AG, a provider
of technology and services for the production of crystalline and thin
film solar cells and solar silicon has achieved a key milestone in
its solar silicon division. The technical center for developing
reactors and converters to produce polysilicon has been operating.

Within scope of the "Siemens procedure" thin silicon rods are
utilized and heated up in a gas atmosphere made from trichlorosilane
and hydrogen at approximately 1,100 degrees in a Siemens reactor.
Additional silicon from the gas phase gradually settles on the rods.
The reactor is then switched off, the rods are cooled down and
carefully broken into small pieces that can then be further
processed. In the technical center preheating of the silicon rods and
starting the electric heater, which is required for glowing the rods,
was successfully completed. This represents a decisive step for
centrotherm photovoltaics in the successful market launch of reactors
and converters. "We have solved an essential and, at the same time,
the most difficult process step in silicon production for solar cells
with a high level of efficiency", explained Dr. Frank Stubhan, COO
Silicon Division. "This takes us a major step forward."

In the technical center, reactors and converters are tested, enhanced
and optimized. centrotherm photovoltaics is the only company
worldwide to run such a technical center and therefore aims for
leadership in the system engineering and process technology for the
production auf polysilicon.

The first plants are already scheduled to be delivered to customers
in Asia in the second quarter of this year, while "first silicon out"
- the first silicon from current production - is expected in autumn
2008.

"We worked hard to transfer our knowledge in solar cell production to
the production of solar silicon, and thereby to expand our technology
know-how. We are proud that we succeeded in accomplishing this
important step", says Robert Hartung, CEO centrotherm photovoltaics.
"With our plants and consulting services we want to enable silicon
producers to manufacture this important raw material in the most cost
efficient manner."

About centrotherm photovoltaics AG centrotherm photovoltaics AG is an
internationally leading provider of technology and services for the
production of solar cells and solar silicon. The broad range of
products and services comprises key equipment and turnkey production
lines for crystalline and thin film solar cells. For the production
of solar silicon the company provides "Siemens" reactors and
converters. Business operations currently focus on the growth market
of Asia. The international customer base includes well-known
companies from the solar sector. The company, which is based in
Blaubeuren near Ulm, currently has over 320 employees.

centrotherm photovoltaics AG
Johannes-Schmid-Strasse 8
89143 Blaubeuren
Internet: www.centrotherm-pv.de

ISIN: DE000A0JMMN2 WKN: A0JMMN Admitted to the Regulated Market/Prime
Standard, Frankfurt Securities Exchange Corporate domicile: Germany

end of announcement euro adhoc
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ots Originaltext: centrotherm photovoltaics AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

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:

Grit Pauli

HOSCHKE & CONSORTEN Public Relations GmbH

Tel: +49 40 3690 50-31

E-mail: g.pauli@hoschke.de

Branche: Energy
ISIN: DE000A0JMMN2
WKN: A0JMMN
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard