Expansion of the new fully automatic production facility is running to schedule. Financing is in place.

For 2009, Solar-Fabrik is budgeting growth of at least 70% for module sales. Agreements with suppliers and customers have already been signed for 2009; these should be reflected in high capacity utilisation levels.

Solar-Fabrik is currently installing a third production facility for solar power modules in Freiburg. The process of expanding the new fully automatic production line is running to schedule. The plant will be commissioned in the first quarter of 2009, and will boost the production capacity of Solar-Fabrik by 60 Megawatts (MW) to a total of 130 MW. The structured financing arrangement concluded last year has put in place the financial resources necessary for the planned expansion.

Exports at Solar-Fabrik accounted for 54.3% of overall sales in the first nine months of 2008. This percentage is expected to exceed the level of 60% next year. Strong growth has been reported particularly for Asia and Spain, and considerable growth has also been achieved in France and Belgium. At present, the most important markets in 2009 are expected to by Germany, France, Italy and the Benelux countries. The range of products is being extended to include specific country products.

Following the election of Barack Obama as the next American President, it is generally expected that a very large market will develop in the USA. Solar-Fabrik has already established a subsidiary in the USA, and is making preparations for breaking into this market.

Solar-Fabrik also expects to report significant growth in sales and earnings next year. Because the payback periods of previous investments are improving strongly, Solar-Fabrik aims to achieve an EBIT return of more than 8% in the medium term across all divisions of the company.