AGC and Tenesol create joint venture for custom-made Building Integrated Photovoltaic glass modules

Date: 14 October 2010

AGC Glass Europe, a leading glass manufacturer, and Tenesol, a global solar power provider, have created a joint venture for the production of BIPV crystalline SI modules that answer exact customer requirements.

These customized laminated-glass modules will be manufactured by the joint venture created by both companies in France, at AGC Vertal Sud-Est (Lyon region), from 2011 onwards.*

The BIPV laminated glass modules offered by the joint venture will be some of the most advanced crystalline BIPV panels on the market that feature both solar thermal properties and solar electric. Integrated into façades, glass-roofs and sunshades, they will be perfectly suited to the latest European building regulations, which intend to stimulate thermal efficiency and energy production in buildings. In addition, they are an aesthetically pleasing way of generating renewable energy and enhancing a building’s green image.

“AGC is dedicated to manufacturing glass products that help people to live more comfortably while reducing or generating energy,“ says Jean-Luc Batkin, Vice-President, Solar and Processed Glass of AGC Glass Europe. “BIPV had to enter our product range. To do so, it was essential to find a partner with the right expertise in PV modules and with the same commitment to product quality, customer satisfaction and environmental care. Tenesol, one of the most well-known global solar power providers, is the perfect match for us.”

“We are delighted to embark on this joint venture with AGC, which combines our expertise in custom-built PV solutions with one of the world’s leading glass producers,” says Benoit Rolland, Managing Director of Tenesol. “To remain competitive in the crowded solar market, we continually improve our products and services through innovation and development. Joining with AGC increases our product offering and shows our commitment to delivering flexible PV solutions that answer specific client needs.”

About BIPV laminated-glass modules : BIPV laminated-glass modules are solar photovoltaic cells held between two sheets of tempered extra-clear glass. The joint venture will offer the possibility to use all types of AGC glass for the back side of modules (for example: silk printed glasses, coloured float, etc.).

About AGC Glass Europe, a European leader in flat glass

Based in Brussels, AGC Glass Europe produces and processes flat glass for the construction industry (external glazing and indoor decorative glass), the automotive industry, solar applications and various specialist industries. It is the European branch of AGC Glass, the world’s leading producer of flat glass.

Its baseline “Glass Unlimited” reflects the possibilities offered by:

glass as a material to meet a growing variety of needs (comfort, energy control, health & safety, aesthetics); innovation in products and processes, derived from sustained research in advanced glass technology; industrial facilities comprising more than 100 production, processing and distribution facilities throughout Europe, from Spain to Russia; a worldwide marketing network; the resources of its personnel motivated by operational excellence and innovation. AGC Glass Europe currently employs some 13,500 people.

For further information, see www.agc-glass.eu (corporate site), www.yourglass.com (glass for the building sector), www.agc-automotive.com (for the automotive industry) and www.agc-solar.com (for solar applications).

About Tenesol

Tenesol, a global solar provider owned by energy giants Total and EDF, works on behalf of businesses, local authorities and private individuals. For more than 26 years, Tenesol has been engineering, designing, manufacturing, installing and managing solar energy systems including production and consumption of supplied systems (Off-grid sites, general grid supply via direct connection, solar water heating) for its customers around the globe. A benchmark player in its sector, Tenesol currently has a staff of over 1,000 employees across 20 subsidiaries including 2 production facilities.

For more information, please visit: http://www.tenesol.com

For all media enquiries, please contact:

France : AGC Glass Europe Nelly Philipponnat Manager marketing France Tel. : +33 (0)1 57 58 30 99 nelly.philipponnat@eu.agc-group.com

Tenesol Marie-Laurence Cattoire Relation Presse 42 Rue Trousseau 75011 PARIS, Tel : 01 40 21 08 13

Web : www.cattoire.com e-mail : cattoire@cattoire.com Europe : AGC Glass Europe – Communications Marie-Ange Dhondt Tel: +32 (0)2 674 34 28 Mobile: +32 (0)499 97 65 47 marieange.dhondt@eu.agc-group.com Tenesol Ronan Cloud Account Manager, SE10 Tel: +44 (0)20 7107 2008 cloud@se10.com