Swiss made thin film silicon PV technology with convincing track record and development perspectives

• Approximately half a gigawatt production capacity produced
• Over 1 million panels produced on Oerlikon Solar equipment
• Thin film silicon PV with long term competitive advantages

BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- China New Energy International Forum (CNECC), Beijing - Oerlikon Solar leads the thin film silicon PV equipment sector with more than 450 MW installed around the world. Over 1 million panels have already been produced by its customers. With the company's Micromorph^® factories, Oerlikon Solar plans to reach production costs at grid parity in 2010 making solar energy cost equal to fossil fuel-generated energy. The company is on track to offer its customers an advanced fab design capable of producing modules for $0.70/W by the end of 2010 offering the fastest time to revenue in the thin film silicon PV industry.

"Oerlikon Solar's goal is to make solar power economically viable in energy markets around the world," said Jürg Henz, chief executive officer of Oerlikon Solar. "With Oerlikon Solar's end-to-end manufacturing lines that are engineered to help solar manufacturers reduce module cost and maximize productivity, the company provides customers the fastest path to generating revenue in the industry."

Cost reduction advantage

Oerlikon Solar's thin film silicon technology offers cost-advantages over crystalline silicon, and is making strong efficiency gains. At the same time, it provides long term competitive advantages compared to most other technologies. In the past 12 months, Oerlikon Solar has continued to significantly drive down module costs by approximately 25 percent, and improving the productivity of its lines from 60 MW in 2008 to 100 MW in 2009 without additional equipment.

Certified Swiss Excellence

Oerlikon Solar is the first thin film silicon technology provider to have IEC/TÜV Rheinland master certification for its entire family of thin film silicon solar technologies, including both Amorphous and Micromorph^®. The certification ensures that modules produced by Oerlikon Solar's customers are manufactured to the highest quality standards and can endure the most challenging real world environmental conditions. Certification makes Oerlikon Solar projects more predictable and bankable.

As a global leader in thin film silicon PV technology, Oerlikon Solar provides its customers with unparalleled experience in both installing and ramping PV module factories, using its highly competitive amorphous silicon and high-efficiency Micromorph^® end-to-end production lines. Oerlikon Solar's Chinese customers that came online in record time in 2009 include Baoding Tianwei SolarFilms Co., Ltd. and Astronergy.

China making pace in PV

In the past year, government policies were introduced in many regions, including China, which were intended to accelerate investment in solar PV systems and solar PV manufacturing as part of economic stimulus programs. Since China's "Golden Sun" program was announced in July 2009, China's Ministry of Finance already selected 294 solar projects totaling 642 MW. Under the program, China's Ministry of Finance will subsidize 50 percent of the construction costs for on-grid solar power plants and up to 70 percent of the construction costs for off-grid installations, plus transmission costs where necessary. Oerlikon Solar sees these stimulus measures helping to accelerate market growth in China, which will accelerate decreases in the cost of solar energy.

Oerlikon Solar executives presenting in Beijing

Oerlikon Solar will attend the China New Energy International Forum (CNECC) from Jan. 20-22, 2010, in Beijing. The following executives will be speaking at the event on the topics of solar market growth, solar PV market outlook, and thin film innovation:

About Oerlikon Solar

Oerlikon Solar offers field proven equipment and end-to-end manufacturing lines for the mass production of thin film silicon solar modules. Engineered to reduce device cost and maximize productivity, its end-to-end solutions are fully automated, high yield, high uptime, and low maintenance.

The production lines are complete systems, yet modular and upgradeable in both throughput and process technology. As a global leader in thin film PV technology, the company provides its customers with extensive experience in both amorphous and high-efficiency Micromorph^® tandem technology. Coated with non toxic thin film silicon, these PV panels are a cost effective alternative to traditional PV technologies and are expected to outpace future cost reductions in existing technologies.

Oerlikon Solar is ranked "global number one solar turnkey line supplier" by VLSI and has been named winner of the 2009 CELL AWARD for the "best technical product for thin film module manufacturing" as well as winner of the 2009 Solar Industry Award.

Oerlikon Solar is headquartered in Switzerland, has over 750 employees in 13 locations world wide and maintains sales and service centers in the USA, Europe and China, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Japan.

For further information, please visit www.oerlikon.com/solar

Contacts

Oerlikon Solar Ltd., Trubbach
Michael M. Schmidt, +41 81 784 6439
Fax +41 81 784 6544
Head of Public Relations
michael.m.schmidt@oerlikon.com
or
Edelman China on behalf of Oerlikon Solar
Suzie Zhao, Office: +86 (10) 5828 6586
Mobile : +86 1391-026-0162
suzie.zhao@edelman.com