centrotherm photovoltaics develops next generation solar cell

• Investment of approx. EUR 10 million for research and development

• Higher degree of efficiency for multi- and mono-crystalline silicon
• Process improvement for conventional cells

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ots.CorporateNews transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for
the content of this announcement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

companies/Research & Development

Blaubeuren (euro adhoc) - Blaubeuren, August 12, 2008 - centrotherm
photovoltaics AG is concentrating the know-how of over 25 experts
from all areas of solar cell production in a cross-Group development
project. This project, in which the company is investing a total of
approximately EUR 10 million over a period of two years, aims to
develop a new generation of solar cells, and the related production
process, accompanied by significant enhancements in efficacy. In
doing so, centrotherm photovoltaics benefits from the fact that
essential parts of the value-chain relating to the manufacturing of
solar cells and solar silicon can be realized within the Group. For
example, the Group benefits from in-house access to experts from the
areas of total-process development, metallization, wet chemistry, and
production line layouts. The International Solar Energy Research
Centre in Constance provides additional research support. A new,
improved design is being developed for the front and rear sides of
conventional solar cells as part of the project. centrotherm
photovoltaics has already intensively researched the requisite
alternative process routes and their cost structures in an initial
phase of the project, and has significantly improved them in the
laboratory. The optimal process sequences for multi- and
mono-crystalline solar silicon for mass production will now be
prepared over the coming months.

"We aim at an efficiency of at least 16.5 percent for
multi-crystalline, and at least 18 percent for mono-crystalline solar
silicon," explained Dr. Peter Fath, Chief Technology Officer,
centrotherm photovoltaics. "Our development activity also takes the
structure of the manufacturing process into account to allow our
customers to benefit promptly from the results. The continued aim of
our research and development is to make a contribution to reducing
manufacturing costs in photovoltaics."

Independently from the development of the next generation solar cell,
centrotherm photovoltaics has registered successes in optimizing
processes for conventional solar cells. In this area, improvements
have been achieved with the thermal diffusion process to manufacture
cell diode structure. This allowed significant improvements in the
degree of efficiency to be achieved particularly for
multi-crystalline silicon with low output quality.

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:

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