centrotherm photovoltaics AG has identified significant demand for high-performance cells and modules emanating from solar cell manufacturers. “Manufacturers who achieve high efficiency levels have made good use of their production facilities’ capacities”, explained Dr. Peter Fath, CTO of centrotherm photovoltaics. “Mono-crystalline solar cells with over 18% efficiency and multi-crystalline solar cells with over 16.5% efficiency are selling well on the end customer market. Solar cells with significantly poorer values only sell reasonably well and achieve much lower prices.”

Of the approximately 1,000 solar cell production lines worldwide, around 800 could be upgraded. There is market potential of over EUR 1 billion until the end of next year for the two upgrade technologies – selective emitter and centaurus rear side. centrotherm photovoltaics is aiming to take advantage of this and is currently improving the performance of existing lines in China, Taiwan and India through the deployment of selective emitter technology. Total investment amounts to a double-digit million euro figure. The first plants will produce solar cells with the centaurus rear side technology by the end of 2011. centrotherm photovoltaics anticipates that revenue from the upgrade business will reach a three-digit million euro figure by the end of next year.

Selective emitter technology can increase the efficiency of mono-crystalline solar cells up to 0.4 percentage points to reach an efficiency level of well over 18%. If centaurus rear side technology is also used, efficiency can even reach the 19% range.

The world’s leading supplier of technology and equipment to the photovoltaic industry has also confirmed its forecast for the 2011 financial year with revenue increasing to EUR 690 to 710 million with a low, double-digit EBIT margin.

About centrotherm photovoltaics AG

centrotherm photovoltaics AG, which is based at Blaubeuren, Germany, is the world’s 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, ingots and bricks, 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 employs over 1,700 staff members, and operates in Europe, Asia and the USA. Centrotherm photovoltaics achieved revenue in the 2010 financial year of EUR 624,2 million, EBIT of EUR 75.4 million. The company is listed in the TecDAX index on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.