DGAP-Ad hoc: SolarWorld

DGAP-Adhoc: SolarWorld AG exceeds shipments and revenue forecast for 2015

SolarWorld AG / Key word(s): Preliminary Results/Forecast

01.02.2016 08:32

Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Preliminary business results for 2015

* SolarWorld AG raises groupwide shipments by 33 percent to 1,159 (2014: 873) megawatts. * Consolidated revenue increases by 33 percent to EUR 763 (2014: 573) million. * EBITDA improves to EUR 35 (2014 adjusted for one-off effects: 1.6) million. * SolarWorld AG plans to increase its shipments and consolidated revenue by more than 20 percent in 2016 and to reach positive EBIT in a two-digit million amount.

In fiscal year 2015, SolarWorld AG increased groupwide shipments by 33 percent to 1,159 (2014: 873) megawatts according to preliminary information. The United States was the largest individual market with a share of 50 percent. In Germany, SolarWorld managed to raise shipments contrary to the market trend (-30 percent) by more than 60 percent.

Consolidated revenue grew by 33 percent to EUR 763 (2014: 573) million in 2015. Thus, SolarWorld exceeded both its shipments forecast (> 1 gigawatt) and its revenue forecast (> EUR 700 million) significantly.

Furthermore, SolarWorld managed to improve earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) to EUR 35 (2014 adjusted for one-off effects: 1.6) million in 2015.

In Q4 2015, the group reached positive earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) amounting to EUR +8 million. For the full year, EBIT improved to EUR -10 (2014 adjusted for one-off effects: -44) million.

In 2016, the SolarWorld group wants to uphold the trend and reach a positive EBIT in a two-digit million amount.

Fiscal year 2015 brought considerable improvement of the group's liquidity. SolarWorld AG increased liquid funds as at December 31, 2015, to EUR 189 (December 31, 2014: 177) million.

By the end of January 2016, the group has generated shipments and orders amounting to 580 MW, which corresponds to half of the total shipments in previous year 2015 (1,159 megawatts).

In the further course of the year 2016, SolarWorld expects a rising demand for its products, especially for highpower modules with PERC and bifacial technology, where modules turn sunlight into power using both the front and the rear side. On this basis, SolarWorld will continue on its path of growth in 2016 and increase groupwide shipments by more than 20 percent, compared with previous year.

SolarWorld will raise consolidated revenue in line with shipments by more than 20 percent and strives to reach up to one billion euros of revenue in 2016.

Contact: SolarWorld AG Investor Relations Phone: +49 228 55920-470; Fax: +49 228 55920-9470, Email: placement@solarworld.de; Web: www.solarworld.de/en/investor-relations

01.02.2016 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: SolarWorld AG Martin-Luther-King-Straße 24 53175 Bonn Germany Phone: +49 (0)228 - 559 20 470 Fax: E-mail: placement@solarworld.com Internet: www.solarworld.de ISIN: DE000A1YCMM2, DE000A1YDDX6, DE000A1YCN14 WKN: A1YCMM, A1YDDX, A1YCN1 Listed: Regulated Market in Dusseldorf, Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart End of Announcement DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------