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

- Patented production process translates to competitive advantages

- Pilot plant enables efficient technology transfer to production

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Blaubeuren (euro adhoc) - 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
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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
Index: TecDAX
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
Hamburg / free trade
Stuttgart / free trade
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München / free trade