DGAP-News: SolarWorld AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous
SolarWorld receives prospecting rights for lithium
25.03.2011 / 12:01
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SolarWorld AG is allowed to prospect for lithium in Germany. The Saxon
State Minister for Economic Affairs, Sven Morlok, presented the official
approval document to the Chairman and CEO of SolarWorld AG, Dr.-Ing. E.h.
Frank Asbeck at Altenberg-Zinnwald near the German-Czech border today. This
means the solar technology group can now start prospecting in the Eastern
part of the Erzgebirge mountains for this raw material, which is mainly
used in modern batteries for the storage of solar power.
'Saxony's mining industry does not only have a tradition that goes back a
long way but also a promising future. With the worldwide increase in the
demand for raw materials, our local resources are becoming lucrative again.
If Saxony's treasures are tapped everyone will benefit because it creates
economic growth and jobs', says Minister Morlok. 'This is why I wish
SolarWorld the best of luck in their endeavor to prospect for lithium.'
SolarWorld is expecting an increasing demand for lithium. The German solar
technology group will investigate the deposits within the next few months
in cooperation with the Freiberg University of Mining and Technology
(TUBAF). As a university dealing with resources, TUBAF also estimates the
reaches of rare mineral resources and performs research into new
technologies for lithium-ion batteries.
'With the approval of our prospecting activities in the Eastern part of the
Erzgebirge mountains, we have taken the first step towards securing the raw
material for the solar power storage of tomorrow,' explains Dr.-Ing. E.h.
Frank Asbeck. 'In a manner of speaking, we are expanding solar value
creation in Germany because in lithium batteries final consumers will in
future store their home-made solar power for self-consumption. This will
make them more independent of the rising prices of utilities.'
The application for the prospecting rights of lithium was filed together
with the Freiberg University of Mining and Technology with the Superior
Mining Authority of Saxony on November 24, 2010. The Saxony deposits are
among the ten largest lithium deposits worldwide. The alkali metal lithium
is used as an anode in the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that are
needed for electric cars, laptops and solar batteries.
About SolarWorld AG: The SolarWorld AG Group (ISIN: DE0005108401) is a
worldwide leader in offering brand-name, high quality, crystalline
solar-power technology. Its strength is its fully integrated solar
production. From silicon as the raw material through wafers, cells and
modules 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 quality modules into the installation and distribution trades
and crystalline wafers to the international solar cell industry. Group
headquarters are located in Bonn, Germany. 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 care projects using off-grid solar-power
solutions in developing countries, exemplifying sustainable economic
development. Worldwide, SolarWorld employs more than 3,300 people.
SolarWorld AG has been quoted on the stock exchange since 1999 and today is
listed on, among others, the TecDAX and ÃkoDAX as well as in the
sustainability index NAI.
End of Corporate News
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25.03.2011 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
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Language: English
Company: SolarWorld AG
Martin-Luther-King-StraÃe 24
53175 Bonn
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)228 - 559 20 470
Fax: +49 (0)228 - 559 20 9470
E-mail: placement@solarworld.de
Internet: www.solarworld.de
ISIN: DE0005108401
WKN: 510840
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt (Prime
Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Hamburg, München,
Stuttgart; Terminbörse EUREX
End of News DGAP News-Service
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117036 25.03.2011
DGAP-News: SolarWorld receives prospecting rights for lithium
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