EANS-News: Construction of first silicon factory on Arabian Peninsula: centrotherm photovoltaics signs major order in Qatar

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely
responsible for the content of this announcement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Information

Blaubeuren (euro adhoc) - Technology and equipment to produce
high-purity silicon

Growing potential for solar plants on the Arabian Peninsula

Blaubeuren, March 1, 2010 - centrotherm photovoltaics AG has today
signed an agreement with Qatar Solar Technologies (QST) to construct
a silicon factory with a planned annual production capacity of 3,600
tons. This is the first polysilicon production facility on the
Arabian Peninsula.

The photovoltaics specialist from Blaubeuren, Germany, is supplying
technology and equipment to produce high-purity silicon, and will be
responsible for engineering and project services all the way through
to ramp-up. Along with reactors and converters, centrotherm
photovoltaics' vent gas recovery plant, which was presented last
year, will be deployed. This plant is used to recover toxic process
gases, and contributes to the sparing use of production resources, as
a share of the gases are reintroduced into the production process.
This process reduces energy consumption, boosts production
efficiency, and thereby results in significant production cost
advantages.

"We are looking forward to support Qatar Solar Technologies in such a
groundbreaking project," commented Robert M. Hartung, CEO of
centrotherm photovoltaics AG. "The customer's selection of
centrotherm photovoltaics confirms our performance in the silicon
division, and supports our strategy of positioning ourselves along
the entire photovoltaic value-creation chain." The order was received
by centrotherm SiTec GmbH, a one hundred percent subsidiary in which
centrotherm photovoltaics has bundled its Group silicon expertise
since 2008. For Qatar, this project represents an important step
towards sustainable energy generation. Photovoltaics enjoys long-term
support as a future industry, and it supports Qatar's political
objective of reducing its oil-dependency in favor of renewable energy
sources. Consequently, the Arabian Peninsula is developing into an
important photovoltaic industry growth market.

A newly founded joint-venture between Solarworld AG and QST is
backing the project. SolarWorld AG will hold a 29 percent stake in
the joint-venture. Its partners are the Qatar Foundation (70 percent)
and the Qatar Development Bank (1 percent). The Royal House of Qatar
will act as patrons to the venture.

QST will invest a total of more than USD 500 million in the creation
of the new production facilities with a planned annual capacity of
3,600 tons of high-purity polysilicon in the initial expansion phase.
The production start-up is planned for the third quarter of 2012. The
joint-venture enjoys access to an excellent chemicals industry
infrastructure with highly favorable energy prices at the Ras Laffan
Industrial City location in north-eastern Qatar. Here,
forward-integration along the entire value-creation chain all the way
through to complete solar electricity modules can also be realized.
An increasingly larger market for solar electricity plants is
developing out of the Arabian Peninsula's reconsideration of its
energy policies.

About the Qatar Foundation

His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar,
established the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community
Development in 1995, and its Chairwoman is Her Highness Sheikha Mozah
bint Nasser Al-Missned. The Qatar Foundation is committed to
improving the quality of life in Qatar by supporting innovative
technologies, education, public health, and community development
within the Emirate.

About centrotherm photovoltaics AG centrotherm photovoltaics AG,
which is based at Blaubeuren, 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 efficacy, and completion deadlines for turnkey lines. The Group
employs around 1,100 staff members, and operates in Europe, Asia and
the USA.

end of announcement euro adhoc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

Britta Cirkel, Christina Siebels

HOSCHKE & CONSORTEN Public Relations GmbH

Tel: +49 40 3690 50-56 /-58

E-mail: b.cirkel@hoschke.de; c.siebels@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