CENTROSOLAR to become exclusive module manufacturer for TSMC in Europe: production capacity in Germany set to reach 350 MWp in course of this year

• CENTROSOLAR becoming TSMC's exclusive manufacturer of crystalline solar modules in Europe  
• 5-year contract for over 100 MWp per year, deliveries to start in Q3 2011
• Further-reaching technical cooperation
• Construction of a second module manufacturing plant in Wismar
• Wismar location to grow to around 700 jobs

Munich, January 11, 2011 – CENTROSOLAR is to become the exclusive manufacturer in Europe of crystalline solar modules for TSMC Limited, Taiwan. TSMC is the world's biggest semiconductor foundry and a leading player in terms of process engineering and quality. The agreement, which runs for 5 years, envisages a volume of initially 100 MWp per year. More extensive cooperation in the areas of product development and process engineering is also planned. CENTROSOLAR will be creating the capacity required for this agreement in a new production building on a site adjacent to the existing plant in Wismar, Germany.

CENTROSOLAR sees the signing of this agreement as confirmation of its status as one of the most efficient and above all highest-quality manufacturers of solar modules. This also demonstrates that it is possible to keep manufacturing premium modules in Germany on a long-term competitive basis. The first deliveries under the agreement are due in the third quarter of 2011. The solar cells to be used will be supplied by TSMC itself; CENTROSOLAR will be responsible for transforming the cells into 60-cell quality modules.

As well as the manufacturing agreement, which gives CENTROSOLAR an extra source of revenue and income and enables it to realise economies of scale, CENTROSOLAR and TSMC are planning further-reaching technical cooperation. Their partnership is to focus on the development of improved module designs andthe implementation of optimised production processes while maintaining the high standards of quality.

The increased capacity needed both as a result of this agreement and the continuing healthy performance of CENTROSOLAR's core business will be created by further expanding the production facility in Wismar, Germany. The construction of a new production hall and warehouse will create space for upping the existing capacity from currently 200 MWp to up to 500 MWp per year in line with demand. This will equip the company for further growth from both its own business and from contract manufacturing. The first phase, which is to be completed by the third quarter, involves completing the new building with an extra 150 MWp of manufacturing capacity. The number of jobs at Wismar will then rise by around 300 to roughly 700. The investment volume for the first phase amounts to around EUR 20 million. It will be financed from the company's own cash flow as well as through subsidies and bank loans.

About CENTROSOLAR
The listed company CENTROSOLAR Group AG, Munich, (stock exchange code WKN 514850) is one of the leading suppliers of photovoltaic (PV) systems for roofs and key components, with over 1,000 employees in Europe and the USA and annual revenue in excess of EUR 300 million (2009). Its product range comprises solar integrated systems, modules, inverters, mounting systems and solar glass. It generates around half its revenue internationally. There are CENTROSOLAR branches in Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Switzerland, the Netherlands, UK, Canada and the USA. The module plant certified to DIN ISO 9001:2008 in Wismar is one of the largest and most efficient such plants in Europe, with an annual capacity currently of 200 MWp. For further information, visit: www.centrosolar-group.com.

About TSMC
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSMC) is the world’s largest pure-play semiconductor foundry, and transformed the semiconductor industry with its pioneering business model of focusing solely on manufacturing customers’ semiconductor designs. Headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, TSMC serves more than four hundred customers and manufactures over seven thousand products for them each year, representing almost 8 percent of global IC wafer shipments. In 2009, TSMC began pursuing further growth through new businesses, focusing on solar energy and LED lighting. In 2010, TSMC has established TSMC Solar Europe GmbH with headquarters in Hamburg, Germany. For more information about TSMC please visit http://www.tsmc.com.


For further information, please contact:
MetaCom Corporate Communications GmbH
Georg Biekehör, tel.: +49 (0) 6181 9828030
E-mail: g.biekehoer(at)go-metacom.de

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