Press Release

Kahl am Main, August 15, 2008 – STANGL Semiconductor Equipment AG (STANGL), a subsidiary of SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG, Kahl am Main, is able to report a major contract from Ascent Solar, Littleton, Colorado  USA, for 8 roll-to-roll production systems of the type IMPEDIO for the wet-chemical coating of solar cells based on CIS/CIGS technology. Following the commissioning of a first IMPEDIO CIGS system for the one-sided CdS coating of CIGS films in a 1.5MW pilot solar production line, Ascent Solar opted for a further 8 STANGL systems to increase its output to 30 MW. 
 
"STANGL has achieved the breakthrough in the U.S. market with its CIGS thin-film technology for coating solar films," remarked Stefan A. Baustert, CEO of SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES.
 
Short profile Ascent Solar 
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a developer of thin-film photovoltaic modules with substrate materials that can be more flexible and affordable than most traditional solar panels. Ascent Solar modules can be directly integrated into standard building materials, space applications, consumer electronics for portable power or configured as stand alone modules for large scale terrestrial deployment.  The Company has begun the development of the key production tools that will support its planned 30 MW scale production line which is scheduled for completion in 2009.  Ascent Solar is located in Littleton, Colorado. 

Short profile of SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES is the world market leader for optical disc production lines for CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, and the only manufacturer to offer the full product range: mastering, molding and replication lines. In addition to the further development of optical disc core business, diversification into the new area of solar is its principal strategic goal. 
 
STANGL and SINGULUS will systematically expand their solar activities. STANGL is currently one of the few suppliers of wet-chemical machines for both crystalline silicon solar technology and thin-film solar technology, with growth rates in excess of 40 %. SINGULUS is set to unveil its own solar coating machine in 2008, based on its wealth of experience in the core area of optical discs. It will be able to tap into STANGL's experience and market knowledge for this move. In March 2008 SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES teamed up with Q-Cells, the most important solar cell producer worldwide, for the development of this new machine and won the company as a key customer. 
 
Together with the equipment made by STANGL, SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES will then be able to offer two important machine groups with wet-chemical and vacuum coating processes for a production line for crystalline silicon solar cells. The goal is to strengthen its global position for production equipment for crystalline solar cells over the next few years.
 
For further information please visit us at the 23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition from 1st to 5th September 2008 at the Feria Valencia in Valencia, Spain, at booth  B9, Hall 2.