Extended Workmanship Warranty again boosts product protection for SolarWorld solar panels

Warranty covers silver and black Next Generation Sunmodule™ Plus solar panels as well as all SolarWorld’s high-performance panels delivered since Jan. 1, 2011

HILLSBORO, Ore., June 14, 2011 – Already a world solar-industry leader in product protections, SolarWorld has once again increased the value of its warranty coverage as it introduces a new, more powerful lineup of silver as well as black Next Generation Sunmodule™ Plus solar panels.

The largest U.S. solar manufacturer since 1975, SolarWorld now offers an Extended Workmanship Warranty, which covers the workmanship of its high-performance solar panels for 10 years, up from the previous five years. The Extended Workmanship Warranty retroactively covers all panels delivered since Jan. 1, 2011.

Initiation of the Extended Workmanship Warranty accompanies the debut of Next Generation Sunmodule™ Plus solar panels, featuring new frame technologies. The sleek profile of the 2.0 Frame, available in both mono- and poly-crystalline panels and featuring four possible grounding locations, is ideal for top-down mounting methods. The sleek profile of the 2.5 Frame with an extended flange, available with poly panels and featuring eight grounding locations, is compatible with top-down and bottom-up methods. Specifically, the lineup features:

• Silver-frame solar panels with 250 watts-peak of power, 4-inch-longer cable lengths for easier installation and two versatile framing options (2.0 and 2.5).
• Black solar panels with 245 watts-peak; 2.0 Frame – ideal for residential mounting methods; and Hallmark SolarWorld silver corners, incorporating four possible grounding locations.

In 1997, U.S. operations of SolarWorld were first to offer a 25-year performance guarantee. In 2010, SolarWorld was first to offer a linear performance warranty, which guaranteed ongoing performance of SolarWorld PV modules at a predictable degradation of output of 0.90 percent a year over the life of the warranty, rather than the industry standard large reductions of coverage at irregular intervals. This policy combined with SolarWorld’s Plus sorting policy, which pledged initial performance at or better than rated power performance. The Extended Workmanship Warranty further strengthens the combination of policies protecting the company’s product.

“We produce a very high-quality solar panel, and to share our confidence with end consumers, we offer a strong package of comprehensive warranty protections,” said Kevin Kilkelly, president of SolarWorld Americas. “A product is only as good as its protection policies and the accessibility of the manufacturer providing them. With more than 35 years of domestic manufacturing, we stand more firmly than ever on U.S. soil to back our product with stronger-than-ever protections.”

About SolarWorld (www.solarworld-usa.com)

SolarWorld (ISIN: DE0005108401) is a worldwide leader in offering brand-name, high-quality, crystalline silicon solar-power technology. The company’s strength is its fully integrated solar production. From silicon as the raw material through wafers, cells and panels all the way to turn-key solar systems of all sizes, the group combines all stages of the solar value chain. The central business activity is selling high-quality panels into the installation and distribution trades and wafers to the international solar cell industry. Group headquarters are located in Bonn, Germany, with sales sites in Singapore, South Africa, Spain, France as well as in the U.S. state of California. The group’s largest production facilities operate in Freiberg, Germany, and Hillsboro in the U.S. state of Oregon. Sustainability is the basis of the group strategy. Under the name Solar2World, the group supports community aid projects using off-grid solar-power solutions in developing countries, exemplifying sustainable economic development. Worldwide, SolarWorld employs about 3,300 people. SolarWorld AG has been quoted on the stock exchange since 1999 and today is listed on, among others, the TecDAX and ÖkoDAX as well as in the sustainability index NAI.

Media Contact:

Devon Cichoski
Media relations manager
SolarWorld Americas
4650 Adohr Lane
Camarillo, CA 93012
Mobile: 805-377-2905
Office: 805-388-6388
devon.cichoski(at)solarworld-usa.com