Exploiting Italy's Sunshine
Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany and Milan, Italy September 4, 2007

- Q-Cells AG presents its strategic partners for the Italian market at the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference
- Huge potential for growth

Q-Cells AG, which is based in Bitterfeld-Wolfen in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, has concluded its first long-term sales contracts for solar cells with Italian partners. At a joint press conference at the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EUPVSEC) in Milan, Europe's largest solar cell producer and five independent Italian module producers presented their expectations and plans for the Italian market. With the module manufacturers Brandoni Solare S.p.A. (Castelfidardo/Marches), Enerqos (Navacchio/Tuscany), Invent S.r.L. (Venice), Renergies Italia S.p.A. (Urbisaglia/ Marches) and Vipiemme Solar S.r.L. (Isso/Lombardy), Q-Cells has succeeded in acquiring five partners, which match the profile of a Q-Cells customer: independent small or medium-sized businesses with substantial potential for growth and technical expertise. "The Italian market is one of the most important growth markets for the solar industry. Together with our Italian partners we aim to occupy the leading position in the market that we have already achieved in other markets", said Anton Milner, CEO of Q-Cells AG, at the press conference in Milan. The supply agreements with the five companies have a term of several years and the first cells will be supplied as early as this year.

In the opinion of all the experts and market observers, Italy will rank among the most important growth markets over the next few years. According to the latest estimates by banking analysts, a total market for PV equipment of more than 1 Gigawatt peak is possible by 2010. Given an installed output in 2006 of approx. 6 MWp, this would constitute explosive growth, which would be comparable with the expansion in the German market in recent years.

The basis for this growth is – in addition to the Italian sunshine – provided by the statutory regulations for feeding solar power into the national grid (Conto Energia). The fact that the Italian government is adopting clear regulations to reduce bureaucracy and the cap set on subsidies for upgrading may be raised, if necessary, will also provide the precondition for market growth that is as rapid as it is stable. There will then be nothing to prevent the positive development of the Italian photovoltaic market. That would result in a substantial contribution to a sustainable energy supply and the creation of jobs in the Italian photovoltaic industry.

Source: Q-Cells AG