EANS-News: centrotherm photovoltaics' centaurus technology for high efficiency solar cells successfully transferred into industrial-scale production

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Company Information

Subtitle: • More than 100.000 centaurus high efficiency solar
cells already processed • Cell efficiencies exceed 19.5 % in
industrial production • centaurus takes center stage at this
year’s SNEC PV

Blaubeuren (euro adhoc) - May 15, 2012 - At this year's 6th
International Solar Industry and Photovoltaic Exhibition & Conference
in Shanghai (SNEC), centrotherm photovoltaics AG focuses on the
successful ramp-up of centaurus high efficiency cell production at
customers in China and Europe. As a highlight, centrotherm offers
live measurements of centaurus cells to the fair audience and thus
demonstrates constant cell efficiency in mass production.

"Almost on a weekly basis, lab results of efficiency world records
are reported. Yet, the crucial figures are those in mass production,"
commented Dr. Peter Fath, CTO of centrotherm photovoltaics AG. "By
now, around 100.000 cells have been processed with centaurus
technology - the majority at our Chinese pilot customer, who has
already reached efficiencies of more than 19.5% in industrial-scale
production on a daily average, and even up to 19.8% at its peak.
These figures once more substantiate our technology leadership."

centaurus technology combines the one-step selective emitter
technology with a local Al-BSF and dielectric passivated rear side.
Compared to present standard industrial solar cells with extensive
screen printed Al-BSF, centaurus cells show considerably reduced rear
surface recombination velocity with increased Voc of more than 10 mV
and an improvement of internal light reflection for long wavelengths
leading to a gain in Jsc of about 1.5 mA/cm². Both effects are
claimed to lead to an overall efficiency improvement of about one
percentage point, allowing average production efficiencies of more
than 19.5 %. Along with fine line printing, reducing paste
consumption of the front side silver paste by more than 20 %, we
already achieved conversion efficiencies reaching the 20 % level on
156x156mm² monocrystalline (cz) wafers. Currently, more than 50MW of
centaurus technology are in ramp-up into mass production. Further
existing customers have already expressed great interest in
implementing this technology. Its advantage is the availability for
mass production at the same cost level as the standard process.
Compared to other passivated rear side concepts, it is based on well
proven processes and materials, allowing a fast and easy
implementation into running production lines.

"We are pursuing the goal that our customers strengthen their
position as premium cost leaders. Thanks to our regular upgrade
packages they have the ability to apply state-of-the-art technology
in the long run", commented Dr. Peter Fath.

Booth information centrotherm photovoltaics: SNEC PV Power Expo 2012:
New International Expo Center, Hall E3, Booth 510

About centrotherm photovoltaics AG centrotherm photovoltaics AG,
which is based at Blaubeuren, Germany, is a globally leading
technology and equipment provider for the photovoltaics sector. The
company equips well-known solar companies and new sector entrants
with turnkey production lines and single equipment to manufacture
silicon, crystalline solar cells and thin film modules. As a
consequence, the Group possesses a broad and well-founded
technological basis, as well as key equipment at practically all
steps of the photovoltaics value chain. centrotherm photovoltaics
guarantees its customers important performance parameters such as
production capacity, efficiencies, and completion deadlines. The
Group employed around 1,900 staff as of the December 31, 2011
reporting date, and operates globally in Europe, Asia and the USA.
centrotherm photovoltaics achieved revenue in the 2011 financial year
of around EUR 700 million. The company is listed in the TecDAX index
on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Contact:
Saskia Feil
Senior Manager Investor & Public Relations
Tel: +49 7344 918-8890
E-mail: saskia.feil@centrotherm.de

Dr. Torsten Knödler
Manager Public Relations
Tel: +49 7344 918-8898
E-mail: torsten.knoedler@centrotherm.de

Further inquiry note:
Dr. Torsten Knödler
Manager Public Relations
Tel.: 07344 - 918-8898
E-Mail: torsten.knoedler@centrotherm.de

end of announcement euro adhoc
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company: centrotherm photovoltaics AG
Johannes-Schmid-Str. 8
D-89143 Blaubeuren
phone: +49 (0) 7344 91880
mail: info@centrotherm.de
WWW: http://www.centrotherm.de
sector: Energy
ISIN: DE000A0JMMN2
indexes: TecDAX
stockmarkets: free trade: Berlin, München, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart,
regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt
language: English