Centrotherm photovoltaics AG, based in Blaubeuren in southwestern Germany, is one of the world's leading technology and service-providers for the manufacturing of solar silicon and solar cells
The broad product range comprises key equipment and turnkey production lines for crystalline and thin-film solar cells. The product range is supplemented by engineering, reactors, converters and vent gas recovery systems for the manufacturing of solar silicon and equipment for the production of power Semiconductors.
The company guarantees its turnkey customers key performance parameters such as production capacity, degree of efficiency and completion deadlines. The goal is to enable customers to achieve sustainable reductions in production costs, thereby making solar electricity competitive with fossil fuel sources.
Already today, Centrotherm photovoltaic covers the major share of the solar value creation chain within its group of companies. The company’s vision is that of a fully integrated solar factory combining all process steps, thereby allowing production and manufacturing costs to be further trimmed.
Reducing costs per watt peak not only makes solar electricity competitive with fossil fuel sources, but also secures independence from state subsidies over the medium term.
The company, which was founded as Centrotherm Elektrische Anlagen GmbH & Co. KG in 1979, commands over 30 years’ experience in the photovoltaics sector. One of the company’s particular strengths lies in its close integration of technology and process know how, which distinguishes all of its business areas.
With its pilot plant at Blaubeuren in Germany, the company maintains a state-of-the-art research and development laboratory where process optimization and new technology is honed under virtually production-level conditions. centrotherm photovoltaics works together with the world’s leading research institutions in order to further expand its position of technology leadership.
The centrotherm photovoltaics group along with the parent company, comprises the following subsidiaries: GP Solar GmbH and GP Inspect GmbH with its focus on the solar cell area, centrotherm SiTec GmbH and Michael Glatt Maschinenbau GmbH as a center of expertise in the silicon area, centrotherm Thermal Solutions GmbH & Co KG as a specialist for thermal plant, and FHR Anlagenbau GmbH as a specialist for sputter systems used in the thin-film area.
In October 2007, centrotherm photovoltaics celebrated its successful debut on the Regulated Market (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt’s Securities Exchange, which was followed shortly by its entry into the TecDAX stock market index. Today, the company employs over 1,100 members of staff, and operates in Europe, Asia and the USA.
In the 2008 financial year, centrotherm photovoltaics achieved earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of approximately EUR 56 million on revenue of around EUR 375 million.