Schott AG Set To Build New Plant In New Mexico

March 3, 2008 (Albuquerque, N.M.) – Executives from SCHOTT AG of Mainz, Germany (SCHOTT), Governor Bill Richardson (D – NM) and local dignitaries ceremonially broke groundtoday for the company’s new manufacturing facility for SCHOTT Solar, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SCHOTT. The site, located in the Mesa del Sol region of Albuquerque, NM, will produce both photovoltaic (PV) modules and receivers for concentrated solarthermal power plants (CSP). Production is expected to begin as early as spring 2009. Initially, the company will construct a 200,000 square-foot facility, which will employ350 people. SCHOTT Solar will invest approximately $100 million to start production inNew Mexico. Anticipating the need to increase production of its solar power technologiesas the market for renewable energy in the US grows, the new site is designed to support expansion of both its photovoltaic module and solar receiver lines. Long term plans callfor the building to expand to 800,000 square feet with employment reaching 1,500 peoplerepresenting a total investment of $500 million. “Today is an extremely proud day forSCHOTT,” said Dr. Udo Ungeheuer, Chairman of SCHOTT’s Board of Management. “With the groundbreaking in New Mexico, SCHOTT is further demonstrating the company’s positionas a global leader in solar technology and our ongoing commitment to developing the NorthAmerican market through strategic investment.” “Recently I announced that SCHOTT Solarwas coming to New Mexico and would build a new $500 million-dollar facility to Mesa DelSol,” said Governor Richardson. “Just weeks later – I am pleased to say - SCHOTT Solarhas officially broken ground on their new solar manufacturing facility. SCHOTT is one ofthe largest, most prestigious solar companies in the world and I am honored to welcome themto New Mexico.” High Quality Jobs with an Employer of Choice SCHOTT Solar has already begunthe hiring process for the Albuquerque facility with staffing of human resources positions.In the next phase, the company will begin hiring experienced engineers and managers. Startingthis summer, CSP receiver and PV manufacturing line positions will begin to be filled. Job vacancies will be posted on the company’s website and advertised in the local media.The company is working with the New Mexico and Albuquerque Economic Development Departments to develop a training and recruitment program. “SCHOTT Solar is committed to creating stablejobs with competitive pay and benefits for Albuquerque,” said Mark Finocchario, President and CEO of SCHOTT Solar, Inc. “Our mission is to become an employer of choice within the region.”A Timeline for Ambitious Growth At the groundbreaking, SCHOTT Solar unveiled the ambitious timelinefor the opening of the facility, which sits on 80 acres of land. Currently, the site is being graded and prepared for construction. Immediately following the completion of the permittingand approval process, the physical structure will start to be erected. The building is scheduledto be completed at the end of the summer. From there, installation of the manufacturing equipmentwill take place and the interior will be prepped. In March 2009, the first receiver, a criticalcomponent for concentrated solar power plants is expected to be available for sale. The PTR-70receivers represent the latest in technological advancements for the surging CSP industry. The receiver contains an outer “envelope” glass tube which has an anti-reflective coating. Inside, in an evacuated, sealed environment, is a steel tube covered by an absorptive coating. It isinside this steel tube that a heat transfer fluid (HTF) flows when heated by the sun. This fluid,when heated by the sun, is then used to turn water into steam, which drives a turbine, generatingelectricity. In April 2009, the first photovoltaic panel manufactured for sale is scheduled toroll off the production line. The 220-watt single-pane PV panel will be similar to productsproduced at the company’s European manufacturing facilities. The Albuquerque site will have aninitial annual production capacity of 64MW of PV panels. Additional PV manufacturing lines willbe added to the facility to meet market demand.
Initially, the 190,000 square-foot facility will have 175,000 square feet allocated to production and 15,000 square feet of office space. The receiver line will occupy nearly double the space of the PV line (115,000 / 60,000 respectively). Future growth at the facility is planned by SCHOTT Solar, which will bring total employment up to 1,500, and SCHOTT’s total investment to approximately $500M.