Solar Semiconductor Announces Strategic Supplier Relationship With SolarWorld AG

HYDERABAD, INDIA and SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwire - July 1, 2008) - Solar Semiconductor strengthened its position as a rapidly growing international manufacturer of high-quality solar photovoltaic (PV) modules today by concluding a comprehensive delivery agreement with SolarWorld AG subsidiary Deutsche Solar AG, which operates one of the largest factories worldwide for the production of multi-crystalline solar silicon wafers. The agreement is a multi-year contract for the delivery of wafers worth over $1.2 billion U.S. dollars (750 million euros).

Significant and Proven Step Ensuring a Steady Module Supply

"We are very pleased to conclude a long term wafer-delivery agreement and are proud to be associated with SolarWorld AG," commented Hari Surapaneni, Chief Executive Officer of Solar Semiconductor. "Solar Semiconductor has a reputation for delivering the highest quality modules to the global marketplace. One of the key raw materials is the cell which derives its high quality from the source wafer. As a rapidly growing manufacturer of high-quality modules, it is important to assure our customers that we not only use cells from reputed manufacturers, but also employ high-quality wafers to ensure high-quality cells. With the addition of Deutsche Solar AG as our strategic supplier, we are continuing our tradition of exclusive partnering with world-class organizations."

Capacity Utilization Ensured

"We value our partnership with Solar Semiconductor who is known for high quality and proud to be associated with Solar Semiconductor as our long-term business partner. With this wafer contract we are securing the capacity utilization of the first expansion stage of our new wafer factory in Freiberg," said Dipl.-Ing. Frank H. Asbeck, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SolarWorld AG. Shortly, the Group will start construction of the new wafer factory in an industrial park near Freiberg, Saxony. In the first expansion step the capacity at the Saxony location will be increased to a total of 750 Megawatts (MW) by adding 250 MW by the end of year 2009. The ground-breaking ceremony for this new, highly advanced industrial complex of the SolarWorld Group will take place on July 7, 2008.