centrotherm photovoltaics achieves milestone at silicon installations
07.04.2008
=-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ots.CorporateNews transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for
the content of this announcement.
=-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
centrotherm photovoltaics achieves milestone at silicon installations
* First technical center worldwide to develop reactors and converters for the
production of polysilicon at work
* Successful reactor start
* Transfer of know-how from solar cell to silicon production
Blaubeuren, April 07, 2008 - centrotherm photovoltaics AG, a provider of
technology and services for the production of crystalline and thin film solar
cells and solar silicon has achieved a key milestone in its solar silicon
division. The technical center for developing reactors and converters to produce
polysilicon has been operating.
Within scope of the "Siemens procedure" thin silicon rods are utilized and
heated up in a gas atmosphere made from trichlorosilane and hydrogen at
approximately 1,100 degrees in a Siemens reactor. Additional silicon from the
gas phase gradually settles on the rods. The reactor is then switched off, the
rods are cooled down and carefully broken into small pieces that can then be
further processed. In the technical center preheating of the silicon rods and
starting the electric heater, which is required for glowing the rods, was
successfully completed. This represents a decisive step for centrotherm
photovoltaics in the successful market launch of reactors and converters. "We
have solved an essential and, at the same time, the most difficult process step
in silicon production for solar cells with a high level of efficiency",
explained Dr. Frank Stubhan, COO Silicon Division. "This takes us a major step
forward."
In the technical center, reactors and converters are tested, enhanced and
optimized. centrotherm photovoltaics is the only company worldwide to run such a
technical center and therefore aims for leadership in the system engineering and
process technology for the production auf polysilicon.
The first plants are already scheduled to be delivered to customers in Asia in
the second quarter of this year, while "first silicon out" - the first silicon
from current production - is expected in autumn 2008.
"We worked hard to transfer our knowledge in solar cell production to the
production of solar silicon, and thereby to expand our technology know-how. We
are proud that we succeeded in accomplishing this important step", says Robert
Hartung, CEO centrotherm photovoltaics. "With our plants and consulting services
we want to enable silicon producers to manufacture this important raw material
in the most cost efficient manner."
About centrotherm photovoltaics AG
centrotherm photovoltaics AG is an internationally leading provider of
technology and services for the production of solar cells and solar silicon. The
broad range of products and services comprises key equipment and turnkey
production lines for crystalline and thin film solar cells. For the production
of solar silicon the company provides "Siemens" reactors and converters.
Business operations currently focus on the growth market of Asia. The
international customer base includes well-known companies from the solar sector.
The company, which is based in Blaubeuren near Ulm, currently has over 320
employees.
centrotherm photovoltaics AG
Johannes-Schmid-Strasse 8
89143 Blaubeuren
Internet: www.centrotherm-pv.de
ISIN: DE000A0JMMN2
WKN: A0JMMN
Admitted to the Regulated Market/Prime Standard, Frankfurt Securities Exchange
Corporate domicile: Germany
end of announcement euro adhoc
=-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
=-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ots.CorporateNews transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for
the content of this announcement.
=-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
centrotherm photovoltaics achieves milestone at silicon installations
* First technical center worldwide to develop reactors and converters for the
production of polysilicon at work
* Successful reactor start
* Transfer of know-how from solar cell to silicon production
Blaubeuren, April 07, 2008 - centrotherm photovoltaics AG, a provider of
technology and services for the production of crystalline and thin film solar
cells and solar silicon has achieved a key milestone in its solar silicon
division. The technical center for developing reactors and converters to produce
polysilicon has been operating.
Within scope of the "Siemens procedure" thin silicon rods are utilized and
heated up in a gas atmosphere made from trichlorosilane and hydrogen at
approximately 1,100 degrees in a Siemens reactor. Additional silicon from the
gas phase gradually settles on the rods. The reactor is then switched off, the
rods are cooled down and carefully broken into small pieces that can then be
further processed. In the technical center preheating of the silicon rods and
starting the electric heater, which is required for glowing the rods, was
successfully completed. This represents a decisive step for centrotherm
photovoltaics in the successful market launch of reactors and converters. "We
have solved an essential and, at the same time, the most difficult process step
in silicon production for solar cells with a high level of efficiency",
explained Dr. Frank Stubhan, COO Silicon Division. "This takes us a major step
forward."
In the technical center, reactors and converters are tested, enhanced and
optimized. centrotherm photovoltaics is the only company worldwide to run such a
technical center and therefore aims for leadership in the system engineering and
process technology for the production auf polysilicon.
The first plants are already scheduled to be delivered to customers in Asia in
the second quarter of this year, while "first silicon out" - the first silicon
from current production - is expected in autumn 2008.
"We worked hard to transfer our knowledge in solar cell production to the
production of solar silicon, and thereby to expand our technology know-how. We
are proud that we succeeded in accomplishing this important step", says Robert
Hartung, CEO centrotherm photovoltaics. "With our plants and consulting services
we want to enable silicon producers to manufacture this important raw material
in the most cost efficient manner."
About centrotherm photovoltaics AG
centrotherm photovoltaics AG is an internationally leading provider of
technology and services for the production of solar cells and solar silicon. The
broad range of products and services comprises key equipment and turnkey
production lines for crystalline and thin film solar cells. For the production
of solar silicon the company provides "Siemens" reactors and converters.
Business operations currently focus on the growth market of Asia. The
international customer base includes well-known companies from the solar sector.
The company, which is based in Blaubeuren near Ulm, currently has over 320
employees.
centrotherm photovoltaics AG
Johannes-Schmid-Strasse 8
89143 Blaubeuren
Internet: www.centrotherm-pv.de
ISIN: DE000A0JMMN2
WKN: A0JMMN
Admitted to the Regulated Market/Prime Standard, Frankfurt Securities Exchange
Corporate domicile: Germany
end of announcement euro adhoc
=-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 2007 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.