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Manz AG: New efficiency world record from exclusive research partner ZSW substantiates the technological advantage of CIGS thin film technology - Seite 2

important role in the next photovoltaic investment cycle.

The record breaking cell was produced in a co-evaporation process, a
technology which was further developed and patented by both Manz and ZSW.
The excellent reproducibility of the record process suggests good
transferability of the technology in production technology for mass
production. For this purpose Manz operates a CIGS innovation line at the
Schwaebisch-Hall location where CIGS modules are manufactured in large
quantities and knowledge from the laboratory is being transferred to mass
production. Manz researchers have been able to achieve considerable
results since taking over the production line from Würth Solar: significant
increase of efficiency while simultaneously cutting the required
investments for a thin film factory in half are important milestones on the
ambitious development road map. The production costs of CIGS thin film
technology in a CIGS turnkey factory built by Manz (CIGSfab) are, depending
on the location and size of the factory, up to 50% lower than the costs of
today's still prevalent crystalline silicon solar technology.

As part of ZSW and Manz's collaborative research, which is supported by the
Federal Republic of Germany and the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg,
cost reduction of solar energy will continue to be promoted. The
competitiveness of solar power increases steadily through the increase of
the efficiency rate and simultaneous decline in cost. In many parts of the
world solar power is now at a similar price level as power from fossil
energy sources and considerably below the price of power gained from
offshore wind farms.

Dieter Manz goes on to say: "CIGS technology is currently the superior
solar technology in every respect and combines the best of about 40 years
of German development history funded by the Federal Republic. It is a
triumph for politics, basic research and mechanical engineering: Whoever
wishes to invest in photovoltaics today and make money doing so cannot pass
up on CIGS technology. The close collaboration between research and
industry was a key to success along Germany's path towards playing a
leading role in this area. Particularly in large markets with regulations
regarding local value creation like China, India or the Middle East, CIGS
technology can make the most of its unique advantages. Due to the high
level of integration, the production process is faster and considerably
more affordable than any other solar technologies. The required materials
can largely be procured on location. Because CIGS solar plants will make