New Processes for a Growing Global Market

Intersolar Europe Presents More Efficient Technologies and More Innovative Equipment and Machinery for Photovoltaic Production

MUNICH, February 21, 2011 - In 2010, the international photovoltaics industry saw its turnover double
with around 15 gigawatts (GW) of newly installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity,
making 2010 to the industry's most successful year to date. By way of
comparison, new capacity totaled 7.1 GW in 2009, and 2008 saw approximately
5.7 GW installed worldwide. Huge price cuts in 2009 combined with the
positive effects of international subsidization programs played a significant
role in this development.

In order to stand up to increasing competition and price pressure in this
dynamic market, both now and in the future, manufacturers constantly need to
optimize their production processes. To address this need, the world's
largest exhibition for the solar industry, Intersolar Europe, is increasing
its range of offerings of PV production technology by presenting the most
innovative companies, power plants, machines, technologies and systems in
this field from June 8-10 in Hall A5 at the New Munich Trade Fair Center.

PV Production Technology at Intersolar Europe

In cooperation with the SEMI PV Group, the global industry association of
equipment and material manufacturers specializing in photovoltaics,
Intersolar Europe 2011 is dedicating a hall entirely to PV production
technology for the third time. In Hall A5, key players in production
technology from across the globe are presenting their innovations, products,
services and much more, in the following areas: automation, cell and module
production, thin film technology, software, gases and chemicals, and solar
glass. The importance of this industry segment I reflected within the
Intersolar AWARD 2011. In addition to the most innovative developments in
Photovoltaics and Solar Thermal Technology, the most promising international
products and services in the PV Production Technology category are being
presented with awards on the first day of Intersolar Europe.

Furthermore, a high-caliber forum dedicated to the topic of PV production
technology, the "7th Advanced Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology Forum",
taking place on June 7, 2011. For all experts in the industry who would like
to contribute content to the event, the forum's "Call for Papers" open until
February 25, 2011.

Important expert meetings concerning road mapping and standardization
will also take place during Intersolar Europe 2011. For more information
please go to www.pvgroup.org.

Higher Efficiency at Lower Costs

Even though Germany's feed-in tariff has been reduced, following suit
with France, the Czech Republic and Spain, the global market is still
expected to grow 25 percent in 2011 to around 20.4 GW. Global PV
manufacturers are looking to the future with optimism, however, and plan to
continue expanding their production capacities, which will lead to a further
fall in prices in the medium-term. If costs continue to drop lower than the
feed-in tariffs, the industry can hope for multi-digit growth in the future.
The ongoing automation of manufacturing and new manufacturing techniques have
already lead to reduced production costs on an almost daily basis, resulting
in lower module prices. Yet the industry still sees clear potential for
further advancement many production stages. This is why technology and
equipment suppliers are focusing on PV components with higher efficiency
levels, more efficient manufacturing processes and the reduction of costs per
Watt. From silicon production to wafer manufacturing; solar cells and modules
to integrated solar factories; new technologies are being developed and
proven processes optimized.

Increasing Expenditure for PV Production

The American market research institute, iSuppli, estimated the PV
industry's expenditure on production equipment to be approximately $11
million for 2010. In 2008, the volume of this market was still only around $5
million. Further, the global market for module manufacturing automation
components alone was estimated at just under $450 million in 2008. Currently,
experts predict that this market volume will exceed $1.2 billion by as early
as 2013.

Grid Parity at the Center of Research and Development

The ability of solar power to compete with traditional electricity
production (known as grid parity) in the short to medium-term lies at the
heart of the international photovoltaic industry's efforts. Europe, the
United States and Japan have all prepared schedules for research and
development, that promote technical innovations in this area. New
developments in the market-dominating crystalline photovoltaics segment
enable ever-increasing efficiency. But there is promising potential in thin
film technology, too: Modules made from cadmium telluride are currently
recognized for having the lowest production costs in the world. Other
interesting developments in alternative thin film technologies, such as
CIS/CIGS or micromorph modules, are also expected in the future.

In addition, research institutions and companies are pursuing new
approaches, such as the use of silicon ink, innovative etching and coating
processes, multilayer solar cells and new contacting methods. Research work
in laboratories currently focuses on nanotechnologies which can considerably
increase the absorption of light in solar cells. These are just a few
examples of the innovations awaiting visitors to this year's Intersolar
Europe.

Intersolar Europe 2011 takes place from June 8-10 at the New Munich Trade
Fair Center.

For more information about Intersolar Europe please go to
www.intersolar.de

Supporters of Intersolar Europe

Intersolar Europe is supported by the leading solar industry
associations: the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar), as an
exclusive partner of Intersolar Europe, the German Solar Energy Society
(DGS), the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF), the
International Solar Energy Society (ISES) and the SEMI PV Group. With the
support of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA).

About Intersolar

With over 3,000 exhibitors and 77,000 visitors on three continents,
Intersolar is the world's leading exhibition for the entire solar industry.
Intersolar Europe takes place annually at the New Munich Trade Fair Center.
Today, it is the world's largest exhibition for the solar industry, and looks
back on a history spanning twenty years. In 2010, 1,884 international
exhibitors and more than 72,000 trade visitors were welcomed to Intersolar
Europe. Intersolar Europe focuses on the areas of Photovoltaics, PV
Production Technology and Solar Thermal Technology. Since its founding, it
has become established as the most important industry platform for
manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers and service providers. The accompanying
Intersolar Europe Conference consolidates the topics of the exhibition. In
2010, more than 150 speakers and around 2,000 attendees discussed current
industry topics and investigated the background of technological, market and
political developments.

In 2008, Intersolar North America in San Francisco became the second
exhibition after Intersolar Europe, followed by Intersolar India in 2009,
which will be held in Mumbai from 2010. From 2012, Intersolar China will be
added to the Intersolar portfolio. Intersolar Europe is organized by Solar
Promotion GmbH, Pforzheim and Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH &
Co. KG. The exhibitions in North America, India and China are organized by
the international subsidiaries Solar Promotion International GmbH, Pforzheim
and Freiburg Management und Marketing International GmbH (FMMI).

About SEMI PV Group

SEMI PV Group is a global business association with over 35 years of
experience providing service and consultation to companies that supply
equipment, materials and services for semiconductor production systems,
displays, photovoltaic products and associated technologies

    Contact:

    Solar Promotion GmbH | P.O. Box 100 170 | 75101 Pforzheim
    Horst Dufner | Tel.: +49-7231-58598-0 | Fax: +49-7231-58598-28 |
    info@intersolar.de

    SEMI PV Group | Helmholtzstrasse 2-9 | 10587 Berlin, Germany
    Stephan Raithel | Tel.: +49-30-303080770 | Fax: +49-30-81878879|
    sraithel@semi.org

    Press contact:

    fischerAppelt, relations | Infanteriestrasse 11a | 80797 Munich, Germany
    Robert Schwarzenbock | Tel. +49-89-747466-23 | Fax +49-89-747466-66 |
    rs@fischerAppelt-relations.de

    Iris Funke | Tel. +49-89-747466-221 | Fax +49-89-747466-66 |
    ifu@fischerAppelt-relations.de

Contact: Solar Promotion GmbH | P.O. Box 100 170 | 75101 Pforzheim; Horst Dufner | Tel.: +49-7231-58598-0 | Fax: +49-7231-58598-28 | info at intersolar.de . SEMI PV Group | Helmholtzstrasse 2-9 | 10587 Berlin, Germany; Stephan Raithel | Tel.: +49-30-303080770 | Fax: +49-30-81878879| sraithel at semi.org . Press contact: fischerAppelt, relations | Infanteriestrasse 11a | 80797 Munich, Germany; Robert Schwarzenbock | Tel. +49-89-747466-23 | Fax +49-89-747466-66 | rs at fischerAppelt-relations.de ; Iris Funke | Tel. +49-89-747466-221 | Fax +49-89-747466-66 | ifu at fischerAppelt-relations.de .