Applied Materials

TechnologyTechnologyTechnology Hardware & Equipment
    
      Solar EnergyPhotovoltaics

    


  * Order represents 2.5GW of wafering capacity; adds to strong momentum of HCT
    B5 system
  * Selection validates unique differentiation of proven HCT B5 technology and
    productivity

SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 8, 2011 - Applied Materials, Inc., the leading
equipment supplier to the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry, announced today that
GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd., China's largest producer of polysilicon wafers
for solar PV applications in 2010*, has placed a significant order for Applied's
HCT B5(TM) wire saws. The systems, which represent more than 2.5 gigawatts of
wafering capacity, are scheduled to begin shipping to GCL-Poly's production
facilities in Suzhou, Changzhou, and Taicang, China, in the current calendar
quarter of this year.

"GCL-Poly continues to execute on its manufacturing capacity plans in order to
meet the increasing demand for high quality polysilicon wafers," said Zhu Gong
Shan, executive director, chairman and CEO of GCL-Poly. "We are pleased to have
Applied Materials join us in our efforts to help our customers bring down the
cost-per-watt of solar cells."

"We are excited to have the opportunity to play a role in GCL-Poly's growth
strategy and are committed to providing the technology and cost-effective
production capability to enable its success," said Dr. Mark Pinto, executive
vice president and general manager of Applied's Energy and Environmental
Solutions Group. "This important order adds to the growing momentum of the HCT
B5 system in the marketplace and validates the unique differentiation of our
proven wire saw technology."

In addition to advanced equipment, GCL-Poly has purchased Applied E3(TM)
automation software for process monitoring and control, and extended maintenance
support to optimize system output and reduce costs. This contract represents one
of the most significant combined investments in equipment automation software
and support services by any crystalline silicon solar manufacturer to date.

"The GCL order is a testimony to the HCT B5 system's compelling economic
advantages for customers: higher annual output and lower overall cost-per-wafer
than any wire saw available today," said Jean-Maurice Imbert, vice president and
general manager of Applied's Precision Wafering Systems division. "We look
forward to working with leading customers like GCL-Poly to continue to drive
down the cost of solar power with our advanced wafering systems."

For more information on the full line of Applied Materials solutions for solar
PV manufacturing, please visit www.appliedmaterials.com/technologies/solar.

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in providing
innovative equipment, services and software to enable the manufacture of
advanced semiconductor, flat panel display and solar photovoltaic products. Our
technologies help make innovations like smartphones, flat screen TVs and solar
panels more affordable and accessible to consumers and businesses around the
world. At Applied Materials, we turn today's innovations into the industries of
tomorrow. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.

###

* Data from PHOTON Consulting LLC, March 2011.

Contact:
Ji Lin (China media) (+86) 158.0177.4508
Connie Duncan (editorial/media) (+1) 408.563.6209
Michael Sullivan (financial community) (+1) 408.986.7977

Picture caption: "Mr. Shu Hua, executive president of GCL-Poly Energy Holdings
and Dr. Mark Pinto executive vice president of Applied Materials, signed the
contract to purchase the Applied HCT B5 systems at the headquarters of GCL-Poly
in Suzhou, China."




Picture:: 
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