centrotherm photovoltaics confirms "First Silicon Out" in Asia

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Blaubeuren (euro adhoc) - Blaubeuren, March, 3rd, 2009 - centrotherm
photovoltaics AG has achieved a further milestone in silicon
production and confirms the performance capacity of its silicon
reactors with "First Silicon Out". At the production site of Asia
Silicon (Qinghai) Co., Ltd. the company has successfully started its
first poly silicon production equipment.

Asia Silicon´s first production phase is designed for a capacity of
2,000 tons per year with part of the key equipment being supplied by
centrotherm photovoltaics. At this stage centrotherm photovoltaics is
responsible for project planning, key equipment and process
technology.

"The successful start up of centrotherm´s reactors in our silicon
production facility is key for us and confirms that with centrotherm
photovoltaics we have chosen the right partner", said Dr. Tihu Wang,
CEO of Asia Silicon. "Very impressive to me was the teamwork of
centrotherm´s and Asia Silicon´s engineers."

centrotherm photovoltaics silicon production technology is based on
the well-known industrial-proven CVD process.

"With `First Silicon Out´ we confirm our strong position in planning,
designing, equipment construction and process technology", said Dr.
Albrecht Mozer, managing director of centrotherm SiTec GmbH, a 100%
subsidiary in which centrotherm photovoltaics concentrates its solar
silicon expertise. "We are glad that we achieved this very important
milestone in close collaboration with our customer Asia Silicon."

About centrotherm photovoltaics AG centrotherm photovoltaics AG,
which is based at Blaubeuren, is one of the world's leading
technology and service-providers for the manufacturing of solar cells
and solar silicon. 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 over 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. (*preliminary figures before purchase price
allocation)

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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