DGAP-News

SolarWorld expands production capacity in the USA

DGAP-News: SolarWorld AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous
SolarWorld expands production capacity in the USA

31.10.2014 / 09:28

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Company is responding to rising, and more exacting, U.S. demand

German solar company SolarWorld AG will expand both solar-panel and
high-efficiency cell production in Hillsboro, Oregon.

The plan is to expand U.S. capacities in a first step from 380 to 530
megawatts (MW) with the option to expand up to 630 MW. Along with the
company's manufacturing in Germany, companywide annual production capacity
for solar panels will rise to about 1,300 megawatts.

The company is the largest manufacturer of solar technology in the United
States, in Germany and on a global scale outside of Asia.

SolarWorld also is increasing production of monocrystalline PERC
(Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) cells. With this technology, the company
will continue to produce cells for solar panels at 280 watts-peak and
higher, further advancing their efficiency.

SolarWorld's factory in Hillsboro already is the largest producer of PERC
cells worldwide, with 335 (MW) of annual production capacity. Expansion
will add another 100 MW of capacity, for a total of 435 MW.

With the expansions, SolarWorld is responding to growing U.S. demand. The
market is expected to grow by more than 30 percent this year and again in
2015.
Dr.-Ing. E.h. Frank Asbeck, CEO and Chairman of SolarWorld AG: "U.S.
customers demand more and more modules with high efficiency and longevity.
That's exactly what comes with SolarWorld modules made in the USA."

The expansion announcements were made in the presence of U.S. Senator Ron
Wyden, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. Wyden supports
SolarWorld's initiative in favor of fair and legal trade and emphasized the
necessity to keep and strengthen industrial solar manufacturing in the U.S.

SolarWorld REAL VALUE: SolarWorld manufactures and sells solar power
solutions and in doing so contributes to a cleaner energy supply worldwide.
The group, headquartered in Bonn, Germany, employs approximately 3,200
people and carries out production in Freiberg, Germany; Arnstadt, Germany;
and Hillsboro, USA. From raw material silicon to solar wafers, cells and
modules, SolarWorld manages all stages of production ‒ including its own
research and development. Through an international distribution network
with locations in Europe, USA, Singapore and South Africa, SolarWorld
supplies customers all over the world. The company maintains high social
standards at all locations across the globe, and has committed itself to
resource- and energy-efficient production. SolarWorld was founded in 1998
and has been publically traded on the stock market since 1999. More
information at www.solarworld.de/en

Contact:
SolarWorld AG Investor Relations
Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone],
Email: [e-mail]; Internet:
www.solarworld.de/en/investor-relations



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31.10.2014 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
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Language: English
Company: SolarWorld AG
Martin-Luther-King-Straße 24
53175 Bonn
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)228 - 559 20 470
Fax: +49 (0)228 - 559 20 9470
E-mail: [e-mail]
Internet: www.solarworld.de
ISIN: DE000A1YCMM2, DE000A1YDDX6, DE000A1YCN14
WKN: A1YCMM, A1YDDX, A1YCN1
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt (Prime
Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Hamburg, München,
Stuttgart


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