Qimonda and Centrosolar Group to Jointly Manufacture Solar Cells
Munich, Germany, May 5, 2008
Source. QImonda AG press release
http://www.qimonda.com/about/press/releases/05_2008_Centrosolar_e.html
Qimonda AG, a leading manufacturer of memory products, and Centrosolar Group AG, a leading German solar company, today signed a contract to jointly build, equip and operate a solar cell manufacturing plant. The joint venture will produce solar cells based on silicon and will be owned 49 percent by Centrosolar and 51 percent by Qimonda Solar GmbH, a 100 percent subsidiary of Qimonda AG. In the planned cooperation, Qimonda will contribute its existing know-how in silicon-based mass production as well as important access to silicon supply. Centrosolar will contribute its expertise with solar systems and the sales and distribution of solar modules. The venture company which will be located on Qimonda’s existing site in Vila do Conde, Portugal is planned to initially invest Euro 70 million by September 2009.
“By entering the solar industry, we are addressing an attractive market with stable and high growth rates. We will leverage our core competencies in silicon-based, high-quality mass production to generate a new revenue stream for Qimonda,” said Kin Wah Loh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Qimonda AG. “Together with our experienced solar partner Centrosolar we have developed a capital and resource efficient setup to start this promising new business.”
Dr. Alexander Kirsch, Chairman of the Management Board of Centrosolar Group AG said: “Within the last years, Centrosolar has moved into a new dimension in regard to the size of the corporation and single projects. Therefore, it has become necessary to establish an own manufacturing brand for solar cells. With Qimonda as a partner, we are able to guarantee a competitive quality manufacturing of solar cells, which in the future will be produced inhouse and destined for our expanding module production sites in Germany and the Netherlands.“
Subject to approval by the relevant authorities, the commencement of fab construction at Qimonda’s site in Vila do Conde, Portugal is scheduled for mid 2008. The facility is scheduled to be ready for equipment early in 2009 and to start production in the second half of 2009. The new facility is planned to have an initial capacity of up to 30 million solar cells per year (equivalent to about 100 MegaWatt peak) and employ approximately 150 employees. In addition, a silicon supply agreement with LDK Solar Co., Ltd., Xinyu City, China, has been concluded.
Conference Call
Qimonda will host a conference call today for its analyst and investors at 9:00am EST, 6:00am PST, 2:00pm GMT, and 3:00pm CET to discuss the cooperation with Centrosolar. The dial-in phone numbers for the conference call are +1 718 354 1388 (US), +44 (0)20 7806 1955 (UK), +49 (0)89 9982 99911 (Germany), +81 (0)3 3570 8228 (Japan), pass code: 3550147.
An audio replay of the conference call will be available at phone number +1 718 354 1112 (US), +44 (0)20 7806 1970 (UK), +49 (0)69 22222 0418 (Germany), +81 (0)3 3570 8212 (Japan), pass code: 3550147#, beginning at 11:00am EST today and continuing until 5:59pm EST on May 8, 2008.
About Qimonda
Qimonda AG (NYSE: QI) is a leading global memory supplier with a broad diversified DRAM product portfolio. The company generated net sales of Euro 3.61 billion in financial year 2007 and had approximately 13,500 employees worldwide. Qimonda has access to five 300mm manufacturing sites on three continents and operates six major R&D facilities. The company provides DRAM products for a wide variety of applications, including in the computing, infrastructure, graphics, mobile and consumer areas, using its power saving technologies and designs. Further information is available at www.qimonda.com.
About Centrosolar Group AG
Centrosolar Group AG (ISIN DE0005148506) is among Europe’s leading manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) systems for roofs, with almost 500 employees and revenue of Euro 220 million in 2007 (2008e: Euro 310 million). Its product range comprises integrated PV systems, modules, mounting systems and solar glass. Centrosolar has PV module production plants in Wismar (Germany) (2008e: 85 MWp and 2009e: 165MWp) and Doesburg (the Netherlands) (2008e: 40 MWp) and a solar glass manufacturing plant in Fürth (Germany) (2008e: 5 million square metres). The company has sales offices in Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the USA and generates over 30 percent of its revenue on international markets, tendency rising (2008e approx. 60 percent). www.centrosolar.com