– Delivery of roll-to-roll coating technology to Solarion

– Central component of a 20 megawatt production system

FHR Anlagenbau GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of centrotherm photovoltaics AG, has won a major order to supply several roll-to-roll coating systems to Leipzig-based Solarion AG. FHR Anlagenbau is a leading manufacturer of foil coating systems in the photovoltaics area. The systems will be shipped next year, and form a central component of a CIGS thin film solar cell production system with an annual capacity of 20 megawatts (MW). The order is worth a double-digit amount in millions of euros for FHR Anlagenbau, and will be entered in the order book as soon as corresponding prepayments have been made, in line with centrotherm photovoltaics’ company policy. Solarion AG is planning to expand production to 180 MW at the Leipzig site together with strategic investor Walsin Lihwa Corporation from Taiwan.

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“CIGS technology provides the highest efficiency potential in the photovoltaic thin-film area”, explains Dr. Peter Fath, CTO of centrotherm photovoltaics AG. The roll-to-roll process, where a plastic foil runs over a tape drive with several rolls, and is coated photovoltaically, also offers further advantages: “These flexible, light and unbreakable cells are also particularly suited to large industrial roofs, and applications such as the textile, automotive and aerospace industries.” He goes on to comment that thin film solar cells generated using this roll-to-roll procedure are unrivalled with regard to curved surfaces.

FHR Anlagenbau GmbH and Solarion AG have already been jointly developing technologies and systems to produce extremely light and flexible CIGS thin film solar cells on plastic substrates since 2002. “The tremendous success of our many years of cooperation is reflected in the fact that, with the fourth generation of these foil coating systems, we are now taking the step into the mass production of flexible CIGS solar cells,” was how Dr. Reinhard Fendler, Managing Director of FHR Anlagenbau GmbH, expresses his pleasure at the development.

FHR Anlagenbau GmbH, which is based at Ottendorf-Okrilla, specializes in the development of innovative thin film technologies and systems, as well as services in the thin film area. The company, which was founded in 1991 in Dresden, has formed part of the centrotherm photovoltaics Group since 2008. The FHR product portfolio comprises vacuum process systems for R&D applications, and technology and equipment for the production of CIGS solar cells and solar thermal power plants. The product range focuses strategically on foil coating systems for the production of flexible solar cells, organic solar cells, and energy-efficient OLED displays. Together with well-known industrial partners and research institutions, FHR has attained a globally leading technology and market position with these roll-to-roll systems.

About centrotherm photovoltaics AG

centrotherm photovoltaics AG, which is based at Blaubeuren, 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, 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 around 1,400 staff, and operates globally in Europe, Asia and the USA. centrotherm photovoltaics achieved revenue in the 2009 financial year of EUR 509.1 million, EBIT of EUR 37.2 million, and is listed in the TecDax of the Frankfurt Securities Exchange.

centrotherm photovoltaics AG
Johannes-Schmid-Strasse 8
89143 Blaubeuren
Internet: www.centrotherm.de
ISIN: DE000A0JMMN2
WKN: A0JMMN
Admitted to the Regulated Market/Prime Standard, Frankfurt Securities Exchange
Corporate domicile: Germany

Contact:
Saskia Feil
Senior Manager Investor & Public Relations
Tel: +49 7344 918-8890
E-mail: saskia.feil@centrotherm.de

Dr. Torsten Knödler
Manager Public Relations
Tel: +49 7344 918-8898
E-mail: torsten.knoedler@centrotherm.de

Christina Siebels, Britta Cirkel
HOSCHKE & CONSORTEN Public Relations GmbH
Tel: +49 40 3690 50-58 /-56
E-mail: c.siebels@hoschke.de; b.cirkel@hoschke.de