BLAUBEUREN, Germany, September 13 /PRNewswire/ --     centrotherm photovoltaics AG announces its intention to
proceed with an initial public offering. Subject to a favorable capital
markets environment, the Company intends to go public this autumn. The
Company will seek a listing in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt
Stock Exchange. The major part of the offering will come from a capital
increase and subsequent issue of new shares. Citi is acting as sole
coordinator and bookrunner for the offering with Commerzbank and Landesbank
Baden-WÃŒrttemberg acting as co-lead managers.

"We plan to finance centrotherm photovoltaics' further growth
from IPO proceeds; in particular we intend to expand our research and
development activities, ensure access to complementary technologies, and
develop and expand our service and sales organisation in Asia and the US",
explains Board of Directors spokesman Robert M. Hartung. He continues, "The
focus of our business strategy is to reduce production costs in the
photovoltaic industry, measured in EUR/Wp. We see centrotherm photovoltaics
as a driving force and "enabler" for the entire sector. Our goal is to
achieve a sustainable improvement in the competitive position of photovoltaic
systems compared with fossil energy sources, but also with other renewable
energy sources."

As an internationally active provider of technology and
services for manufacturers of solar cells and solar silicon, centrotherm
photovoltaics' business activities focus on the key stages of the
photovoltaics value chain.

In its Solar Cells business segment, centrotherm photovoltaics
supplies turnkey production lines and key equipment such as PECVD systems,
diffusion furnaces and fast-firing furnaces. The company offers technical
support from the planning stage to the delivery and ramp-up of turnkey
production lines. In addition, the company provides customer service and
consulting following the installation and ramp-up. centrotherm photovoltaics
is continuously working to further improve production facilities and
processes, in order to achieve higher solar cell efficiency, yield and
throughput with the objective to make solar cell production even more cost
effective.

Global demand for silicon from the semiconductor and
photovoltaic industries is high and production capacities are currently below
demand. In the Solar Silicon division, centrotherm photovoltaics offers
engineering and process technology services and provides key equipment for
the production of solar silicon, in particular "Siemens" reactors and
converters. The Company supports its customers during planning, engineering
and during ramp-up of production equipment.

"With over 25 years' experience in the solar industry and the
high number of solar cell turnkey production lines we have installed both in
Germany and abroad, we hold technological expertise in the key steps of the
photovoltaics value chain - solar cells and silicon," says Hartung.
"Therefore, we are in the position to offer our customers tailored services
and comprehensive guarantees regarding specific performance parameters such
as production capacity, cell efficiency and delivery times."

In the financial year 2006, centrotherm photovoltaics reported
pro forma revenues(X) of EUR108.5 million and achieved a pro forma EBIT(X) of
EUR11.3 million. The Company, which is headquartered in Blaubeuren near Ulm
in Southern Germany, currently employs more than 100 employees. International
customers include renowned companies from the solar industry such as the
German companies Q-Cells, ErSol and Sunways, as well as market newcomers in
Europe, Asia and the US.

(X)The figures are based on the audited consolidated pro forma
financial statements for centrotherm photovoltaics AG for the financial year
ending 31 December 2006 and reflect adjustments made to the consolidated IFRS
income statement of centrotherm photovoltaics AG for financial year 2006. The
adjustments reflect the acquisition of the business operations of centrotherm
Photovoltaics Solutions GmbH & Co. KG by centrotherm photovoltaics AG which
had economic effect as of 1 May 2006, as if this acquisition had already been
effective as of 1 January 2006.

Disclaimer:

These materials do not constitute an offer of securities for sale or a 
solicitation of an offer to purchase securities in the United States or 
Germany or any other jurisdiction. The shares of centrotherm photovoltaics 
AG (the "Shares") may not be offered or sold in the United States absent 
registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities 
Act of 1933, as amended. Neither centrotherm photovoltaics AG nor any 
selling shareholder intends to register any portion of the offering in t
he United States or to conduct a public offering of Shares of centrotherm 
photovoltaics AG in the United States.

These materials do not constitute a securities prospectus. A securities 
prospectus will only be published prior to commencement of the offer. The 
information legally required to be provided to investors will be contained 
only in such securities prospectus.

This document is only being distributed to and is only directed at 
(i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) to investment 
professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and 
Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended) (the "Order") 
or (iii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully 
be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all 
such persons in (i), (ii) and (iii) above together being referred to 
as "relevant persons"). The securities are only available to, and any 
invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise 
acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. 
Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this 
document or any of its contents.

Not for release, publication or distribution in the United 
States of America

Company contact:
    Saskia Schultz-Ebert
    centrotherm
    photovoltaics AG
    Telephone: +49-7344-918-8890
    E-mail: saskia.schultz-ebert@centrotherm.de