Prince Albert II of Monaco to Visit SolarWorld Group
Bonn, February 17, 2008 - Prince Albert II of Monaco will visit SolarWorld AG on Thursday as part of his state visit to Germany. Accompanied by the Prime Minister of Saxony, Georg Milbradt, the Monegasque Head of State will view the modern manufacturing facilities of the SolarWorld Group in Freiberg at his explicit request. "We are looking forward to making Prince Albert of Monaco familiar with the shine of advanced solar power technology," elaborates Dipl.-Ing. Frank H. Asbeck, Chairman and CEO of SolarWorld AG.
Prince Albert and SolarWorld to Discuss Development Cooperation between Monaco and the SolarWorld Group
In addition to visiting the silicon wafer and solar cell production facilities the Prince will talk to the SolarWorld management about cooperation projects for the use of solar technology in developing countries. "Two billion people worldwide have no access to the power grid. Solar energy is often the only chance for these people to obtain electrical lighting, to refrigerate medicines or to operate water pumps. We hope to be able to promote new projects for the dissemination of solar technology in developing countries in cooperation with the Principality," continues the head of SolarWorld, Frank H. Asbeck.
As part of the "Solar2World" program, SolarWorld Group has been making solar modules available since 2007 for selected projects primarily in Africa. Thus, an orphanage in Malawi, a drinking water project in Kenya and a hospital in Congo are receiving solar power modules from SolarWorld AG.
Prince Albert II of Monaco created a foundation for climate, species and water protection in June 2006 after having pushed through the signing of the Kyoto Protocol in the previous year. Since he came into office in April 2005 CO2 emissions in the city state have been significantly reduced. The Principality is also pursuing ambitious targets in development aid whose expenditure the government wants to increase by 25 percent annually. In 20 developing countries, above all in Africa, Monaco is funding projects to improve education, health and environmental protection. Thus a project against malnutrition is financed in Senegal, twelve water pumps were built in Mali and children in need are supported in Morocco.
About SolarWorld AG
SolarWorld AG manufactures solar power systems and in doing so contributes to a cleaner energy supply worldwide. The company, located in Bonn, employs approximately 3,000 people and carries out production in Freiberg, Germany, and Hillsboro, USA. From raw material silicon to the solar module, SolarWorld manages all stages of production ‒ including its own research and development. Through an international distribution network, SolarWorld supplies customers all over the world with solar modules and complete systems. The company maintains high social standards at all locations across the globe, and has committed itself to resource- and energy-efficient production. SolarWorld has been publically traded on the stock market since 1999 and is quoted in the technology index TecDax. SolarWorld achieved sales of about one billion Euros for the fiscal year 2011. More information at www.solarworld-usa.com.
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