centrotherm photovoltaics concentrates silicon expertise in newly founded company

- Planning, engineering, and key equipment on a one-stop shop basis

- Expansion of product portfolio to include crystallization and
wafering
- Simplification of Group structures

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Blaubeuren (euro adhoc) - Blaubeuren, October 20, 2008 - centrotherm
photovoltaics AG, Blaubeuren, is bundling its expertise in the solar
silicon area into a 100% subsidiary, centrotherm SiTec GmbH, as of
October 8. centrotherm SiTec brings together the know-how of SolMic
GmbH, which centrotherm photovoltaics already acquired in its
entirety in August this year, and that of its former subsidiary
centrotherm SiQ GmbH. This allows the company to take a further
important step towards simplifying the Group structure, and creating
areas of expertise with a clear performance profile. The merger aims
to unify all planning, technology, and engineering services relating
to design and process-optimization for the manufacturing of
polysilicon, ingots, and wafers, including key equipment, under one
roof. This will allow centrotherm SiTec customers to benefit from a
seamlessly integrated range of services on a one-stop shop basis.
Besides the well-known professional services already offered in the
polysilicon area, the product range will also be supplemented to
include crystallization and wafering in the future. A special focus
at centrotherm SiTec is research and development aimed at pushing
ahead with process-optimization in the above-mentioned production
areas.

Dr. Albrecht Mozer, a specialist with over 26 years of experience in
semiconductor manufacturing, will head up the management board of
centrotherm SiTec. His experience includes more than 15 years of
service as CTO of a well-known German polysilicon, ingot, and wafer
manufacturer. Dr. Mozer, who is qualified to doctoral level in
semiconductor physics, holds over 20 patents in the semiconductor
technology and modules area, and has published articles and studies
in over 50 specialist publications as both an author and a co-author.
He was a co-founder of SolMic GmbH in 2005, and of centrotherm SiQ
GmbH. Besides Dr. Mozer, the company's management includes Dr. Frank
Stubhan, who is responsible for the operating business, Michael Harro
Liese, who will be managing marketing and sales, and Holger Hilsenitz
heading up the financial area. Dr. Stubhan helped to establish
centrotherm SiQ, and draws on many years of experience as a managing
director of high-tech companies. He was responsible for the creation
of two joint ventures in China, and, as the holder of a doctorate in
physics, contributes over 10 years of experience in the CVD processes
area (chemical vapor deposition). Holger Hilsenitz has also acted as
managing director in various plant engineering companies over the
course of his international career, including a five-year tenure in
Brazil. Michael Harro Liese, a further silicon specialist,
supplements the management team of centrotherm SiTec. He has over 24
years of experience in the power setpoint adjustor area, and expanded
this division into an internationally leading market position at his
previous employer, a major German electrical plant and systems
manufacturer.

"The founding of centrotherm SiTec allows us to create a clear
profile for the solar silicon area within the centrotherm Group, and
enables us to exploit synergies more efficiently," explains Robert
Hartung, CEO of centrotherm photovoltaics AG. "With this new
management we have a dynamic team of experts on board that will play
a critical role in helping to structure the expansion of the silicon
area as an important component of the solar value-creation chain."
Good growth over recent months in the solar silicon division has
confirmed centrotherm photovoltaics' strategy of further establishing
itself across the value-creation chain, all the way through to
offering complete silicon factories, while focusing on silicon
manufacturing. Major orders from China and the Ukraine bear testimony
to the strong position of the Blaubeuren-based company in this area.
Dr. Albrecht Mozer comments: "As centrotherm SiTec, we are optimally
positioned to promptly integrate our customers' requirements, and to
implement our bundled know-how for the development of new solar
silicon manufacturing process techniques."

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