31-08-2007 / Solland Solar winner of Rising Star Award 2007

Press release

HEERLEN (31 August 2007) – Solland Solar is the winner of the Rising Star Award 2007, the prize for ‘the most promising technology business in the Netherlands.’ The award is sponsored by, among others, Deloitte, ABN AMRO and FEM Business and is awarded to young companies less than 5 years old. The jury praised the solar cell manufacturer for its realistic business plan, its innovative strength and its ability to motivate its own personnel.

In winning the Rising Star Award, Solland Solar has followed up successfully on its performance last year, when it was runner up.

A total of 58 businesses were entered for the Rising Star Award this year. The candidates included companies from the biotechnology, high-tech, pharmaceutical, ICT and energy sectors. Eventually ten companies made it to the final. The candidates had to convince the jury of the specific qualities of their business in a ‘three minute pitch’. The jury, comprised of Robert Schiering (TomTom), Wim Hulsink (RSM E-ship), Rhett Oudkerk Pool (Kahuna) and Coen van Duiven (Henq Invest), was also given the opportunity to ask questions.

An important criterion in granting the Rising Star Award is the company’s potential to expand into one of the 50 fastest growing businesses in the Netherlands within a few years. The jury believes that Solland Solar has a good chance of making this leap, especially since growth for the coming years has already largely been realised. At the same time Solland Solar has a realistic and financially feasible plan, combined with a promising product in the largest growth market in the world, solar energy. An innovative company, whose management anticipates early on what steps must be taken to achieve further growth. Finally the jury praised Solland Solar for its ability to motivate its own personnel. This commitment from employees translates into an exceptionally low rate of absenteeism.

About Solland Solar

Solland Solar is a Dutch-German manufacturer of solar cells (photovoltaic cells). Solland Solar’s capacity came to 20 MWp/a at the start of production towards the end of 2005. After a recent expansion, the capacity was increased to 60 MWp/a, with a view to reaching 170 MWp/a from mid-2008.
Constant growth is a key objective of Solland Solar, which is striving for a production capacity of 500 MWp/a in 2010 (2007: 60 MWp/a), with relevant turnover of EUR 1 billion (2006: EUR 40 million). The number of employees will also have increased from 200 (2007) to 400 in 2008 and to 1,000 in 2010. Since February 2007 DELTA N.V. in Middelburg has been a majority shareholder in Soland Solar.

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