Oerlikon Solar To Develop Thin-film Silicon Solar Cell Technology In China

Oerlikon Solar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with
the International Cooperation Center for China Renewable Energy Society (CRES)
to collaborate on Thin Film Silicon Solar technology in China.

 The strategic partnership
announced in Beijing  marks the start of
a joint effort to promote the benefits of the Oerlikon Thin Film Silicon Solar
technology with an emphasis on China, including:

  Research of Thin
Film solar power electricity generation

  Supporting and
participating in Demonstration projects undertaken by the International
Cooperation Center for CRES

  Government policy
advisory

  Organization of
forums such as the 2012 "Conference on Thin-Film Solar Power Cell
Technology"

Oerlikon Group CEO Dr. Michael Buscher, said: "In line
with our continued focus on China, this co-operation is a further step in
demonstrating the competitiveness of our thin film silicon technology in the
world's biggest solar manufacturer market. Oerlikon Solar remains committed to
reducing production costs to make photovoltaics an even more economically
viable energy source."

Professor Shi Dinghuan, Chairman of China Renewable Energy
Society said, "The International Cooperation Center of the Society will
not only provide Chinese renewable energy enterprises with opportunities of
international cooperation and exchange, but also help international enterprises
to develop in China. Our strategy represents a bond between the international
Cooperation Center and international renewable energy enterprises owning
advanced technology and products. I am confident we can mutually benefit
through cooperation and together promote China's renewable energy industry, and
enhance the development and the application of renewable energy in China in a
holistic way."

To date, Oerlikon Solar has sold 870 MW of manufacturing
capacity (turnkey lines and equipment) to 15 customers in Europe and Asia. Six
of these customers are manufacturing in China and 446 MW of the 870 MW contracted
production capacity is already in annual mass production. More than five
million panels have been produced on Oerlikon Solar's equipment since 2006.

Oerlikon Solar is the world leader in supplying advanced
thin film silicon PV technology, and turnkey manufacturing solutions for the
lowest production cost of high efficiency thin film silicon photovoltaic
modules. In addition to making continual improvements in efficiency, the
company has succeeded in lowering solar module production costs to € 0.43/Wp (China)
with its end-to-end manufacturing solution ThinFabTM - less than half the cost
of the previous generation.

The photovoltaics end market is currently concentrated in
Europe, the United States, and Japan. Oerlikon Solar sees high growth potential
in Asia and will strengthen its efforts in this region to be even closer to
customers.