centrotherm photovoltaics' sales and earnings leap in first nine months of 2008

• Revenue (EUR 236.9 million) and EBIT (EUR 30.4 million) more than
doubled
• EBIT margin at 12.5 percent
• Record order backlog
exceeds EUR 1 billion as of September 30, 2008
• Acquisition of
centrotherm Thermal Solutions successfully concluded
• Revenue
expectation for full 2008 year: EUR 350-380 million

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finances

Blaubeuren (euro adhoc) - Blaubeuren, November 12, 2008 - centrotherm
photovoltaics AG looks back on a very successful nine-month period:
the supplier of technology, equipment, and services for solar silicon
and solar cell production continued its very strong growth during the
reporting period, and has significantly improved all key financial
figures compared with the previous year. Revenue rose from EUR 91.7
million in the first nine months of 2007 to EUR 236.9 million in the
first nine months of 2008. The company's business across all regions
contributed to the increase in revenue. The highest proportion of
sales was generated in Asia (62 percent). EBIT, too, more than
doubled during the first nine months of 2008 to EUR 30.4 million
(prior-year period: EUR 11.9 million). The EBIT margin
correspondingly improved to 12.5 percent (prior-year period: 11.9
percent). Consolidated net income more than tripled during the first
three quarters of 2008 and came in at EUR 23.7 million (previous year
period: EUR 7.2 million).

The order book, which amounted to EUR 462.7 million as of December
31, 2007, exceeded the EUR 1 billion level at the end of the third
quarter, at EUR 1,005,382. "We are extremely pleased with our
nine-month figures," commented Oliver Albrecht, CFO of centrotherm
photovoltaics. "We have successfully exploited the opportunities
available to us, and we have bolstered our strong market position."

The company, which is based in Blaubeuren, intensified its research
and activities, as previously announced. centrotherm photovoltaics
invested EUR 12.3 million during the reporting period (prior-year
period: EUR 3.6 million). The company had already presented the
initial results of its research and develop efforts, the "GP Solar
Inspect Product Line", at this year's "European Photovoltaics Solar
Energy Conference" at Valencia in Spain. This product line comprises
high-performance optical measuring systems, which deliver sustained
improvements in the quality control of wafer, solar cell, and module
production.

Growth strategy successfully implemented During the third quarter,
centrotherm photovoltaics has continued to focus on implementing its
strategy of integrating key equipment and technology into the Group.
In April 2008, centrotherm photovoltaics purchased the remaining
shares in GP Solar, a provider of products, consulting, and
technology for photovoltaics with a focus on quality control and
process technology for solar cell and solar module production.
Following this transaction, centrotherm also acquired the entirety of
SolMic GmbH in August. SolMic is a specialist for technology and
engineering services revolving around design and process-optimization
for the manufacturing of polysilicon, ingots, and wafers.

A further, strategically important transaction occurred after the end
of the reporting period, with the acquisition of centrotherm Thermal
Solutions GmbH & Co. KG, a leading provider of thermal reduction
plants for solar cells, and an important supplier to centrotherm
photovoltaics. "Our aim is to further extend our technology
leadership along the solar value-creation chain, and to establish
ourselves globally as a provider of production plants for solar
silicon and turnkey production lines for the manufacturing of solar
cells and thin-film modules," commented Oliver Albrecht. "We have
come a lot closer to reaching this goal over recent months. We are
convinced these strategic measures will enable us to achieve a
significant enhancement in the value of centrotherm photovoltaics."
These acquisitions also boost the number of employees within the
Group: the company employed 508 staff members as of September 30,
2008 (prior-year period: 113). The current number is already around
900, which mainly reflects the integration of centrotherm Thermal
Solutions.

Outlook Experts expect the solar industry to continue to grow despite
the global financial crisis and its consequences for the real
economy. Oliver Albrecht commented: "We have good reason to believe
we will participate in this forecast growth in the future."
centrotherm photovoltaics has further expanded its range of services
through the integration of key technology and equipment, and has
reinforced its strong market position. This is also reflected in the
well filled order book. As a rule, these orders are secured through
prepayments or letters of credit. From the very start, centrotherm
photovoltaics has pursued the aim of enabling its customers to cut
their production costs, and thereby produce solar cells and solar
silicon with even greater efficiency in terms of costs and
manufacturing processes. "This focus on cost-reduction is paying off,
particularly in today's currently tense market environment," Oliver
Albrecht went on to say. "We are also benefiting from our comfortable
capital backing, which allows us to implement strategic measures, and
finance further growth."

On this basis, as well as in the expectation of further seasonally
strong fourth quarter, centrotherm photovoltaics anticipates sales of
EUR 350-380 million for the full 2008 financial year, accompanied by
at least constant margins compared with the first nine-month period
of 2008. The consolidation of centrotherm Thermal Solutions from
November 1 will have only a minor impact on 2008 sales, but will
already incur positive effects on the EBITA margin.

The interim report as of September 30, 2008 can be downloaded in both
German and English from the company's website at
www.centrotherm-pv.de under the menu item Investor Relations.

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:

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