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SunTechnics Establishes Subsidiary in the USA

HAMBURG, Germany and SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 20, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- SunTechnics, Europe's leading system supplier of renewable energy solutions, has established a subsidiary in the USA named SunTechnics Energy Systems, Inc., with headquarters in Sacramento, California. This gives SunTechnics a presence on four continents, with its own companies, ensuring close proximity to end customers. "The demand for energy in the USA is huge, primarily because of electrically-powered air conditioning systems. For this reason we are initially focusing on grid-connected photovoltaic systems," reports Karl-Heinz Tonges, CEO of the U.S. operations. The USA is currently the world's third-largest market for photovoltaic systems. In 2004, total new installations amounted to 84 Megawatts, representing a 27% growth over the prior year. Around 80% of the systems were installed in California, where buyers of photovoltaic systems can receive rebates and tax incentives to bring down the price of installation by as much as 30 to 50%. Governor Schwarzenegger has been a strong proponent of renewable energy, with his Million Solar Roof Initiative aiming to extend and increase solar energy incentives in the state. "Thanks to incentive programs and rising conventional energy prices, we are anticipating that the demand for photovoltaic systems will accelerate even faster in future. Our objective is to grow faster than the market," continues Tonges. The first project is already in the pipeline. Under the auspices of the dena (German Energy Agency) initiative, "Solar Roofs on German Schools and Institutions Abroad," SunTechnics Energy Systems, Inc. is equipping the German School in Silicon Valley with a photovoltaic system. The project will start later this year.

In Karl-Heinz Tonges, the American SunTechnics team is headed by a solar power expert with over 15 years experience in photovoltaics. Tonges initially worked on the technical side of the industry as a project engineer with Flagsol. He later developed sales and international business experience at SMA, and subsequently became CEO of Poburski Solartechnik. Tonges most recently moved from Phonix SonnenStrom AG to SunTechnics in order to build up the U.S. business as CEO.

With an anticipated installed peak output of over 60 MWp for 2005, SunTechnics is Europe's leading planning and sales company for renewable energy systems. The company is expanding internationally, having established subsidiaries in Portugal, Australia, and India earlier this year. SunTechnics installs customized, turnkey solutions including photovoltaics, solar hot water, and solar thermal. With its spring 2005 purchase of one of the best-known engineering firms in the field of bio-energy, SunTechnics extended its portfolio of renewable energy services. With these product-specific and international advances, SunTechnics, now employing a workforce of over 200, continues to grow faster than the rapidly-expanding market. For more information, go to www.SunTechnics.com.

 SunTechnics in USA:

 SunTechnics Energy Systems Inc.
 Karl-Heinz Toenges General Manager USA / CEO
 660 J Street, Suite 270
 Sacramento, CA 95814

 Phone: 001 - 916 442 0396 - 107
 Fax:   001 - 916 442 3823
 mail: k.toenges@suntechnics.com

 For editorial questions:

 SunTechnics Solartechnik GmbH
 Andrea Loffler Manager Public Relations
 Anckelmannsplatz 1 D-20537
 Hamburg

 Telephone: +49 (0)40 / 23 62 08 - 250
 Fax: +49 (0)40 / 23 62 08 - 222
 e-mail: presse@SunTechnics.de

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