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Acquisition enables immediate launch of Day4’s
turn-key PV cell and PV module manufacturing solution
for the PV industry
Burnaby, BC, April 26, 2010 - Day4 Energy Inc. (TSX: DFE), a leading supplier
of high performance, cost-effective solar electric solutions, today announced
that following approval from the Day4 Energy Inc (“Day4”) board
of directors it has entered into an agreement in principle to acquire Day4 ecoTec GmbH (“ACI”), a privately owned specialized photovoltaic
(PV) equipment design and manufacturing company based in Germany. Day4 will
acquire 100% of ACI in an all stock transaction of up to 10.8 million shares
of Day4 subject to post closing adjustment. The acquisition is subject to the
completion of definitive documentation, approval of these documents by Day4’s
directors and obtaining all required consents and approvals, including the
approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange to the issue of the Day4 shares.
The combination of the Day4 proprietary and patented technology and ACI’s
specialized know-how and equipment allows Day4 to immediately launch the offering
of its highly anticipated turn-key manufacturing technology solution for production
of PV cells and PV modules based on proprietary technologies developed by Day4.
ACI’s existing customer relationships, execution capabilities and solid
market reputation provide Day4 with a unique opportunity to rapidly roll out
its manufacturing technology offering across a wide cross section of PV manufacturers
in a number of key markets. At the same time ACI’s manufacturing process
and equipment engineering capabilities will add significant depth to Day4’s
R&D team and allow the company to significantly accelerate the development
of the next generations of PV technology.
Based on the patented Day4 Electrode and Guardian technologies, Day4’s
manufacturing solution offers PV cell and module producers an opportunity to
reduce their investment and production costs while achieving sustainable differentiation
in highly competitive solar markets by producing one of the industry’s
highest performing products that customers around the world have grown to associate
with the highest levels of reliability, energy production and investment return.
With technological differentiation rapidly emerging as a critical area for
most PV manufacturers, Day4’s offering of a turn-key package of manufacturing
technology, proprietary equipment, process, product design and technology license
is a natural evolution of the company’s business.
“Technology and market development has been the focal point of our strategy
since the company was founded in 2001. Over the course of the last 3 years
we have completed the industrial scale-up of our proprietary manufacturing
process. We have also built a strong track record of superior field performance
and quality behind the Day4 product brand. Today we have taken the next step
towards making this next generation technology platform available to partners
across the industry,” said George Rubin, president of Day4. “ACI’s
engineering and manufacturing system integration capabilities are critical
to our ability to deliver our industry leading technology platform to the PV
industry. What makes this acquisition particularly attractive is the level
of interest ACI was able to generate among its customers during the test marketing
of the Day4 manufacturing solution package and overall business proposition..”
By offering a turn-key Day4 PV cell and PV module manufacturing solution to
the PV industry Day4 is looking to significantly expand the market share of
products based on Day4’s proprietary technology in existing as well as
new and emerging markets around the world. Furthermore, Day4 manufacturing
solutions sales are expected to significantly alter the company’s revenue
model as manufacturing line integration services and technology royalty streams
associated with the new product offering become an increasingly large component
of the company’s revenue mix over time.
“We are very excited about the chance to work with Day4 in this new
venture to address this unique and exciting opportunity,” added Mr. Karl-Heinz
Menauer, CEO of ACI. “Our established relationships with a large number
of PV industry manufacturers can be leveraged for the purpose of ramping up
sales of Day4 technology. In fact, our pre-marketing efforts have been met
with a high degree of excitement and enthusiasm with a number of ACI customers
already approaching us to join the Day4 platform. This is an opportunity for
a number of these players to elevate themselves from the pack with a unique
product offering, reduced manufacturing cost base and access to future technology
enhancements based on this next generation manufacturing platform.”
“By expanding our business to offer a complete manufacturing solution
we are taking the logical and critical next step in the evolution of our company
towards our ultimate goals of achieving energy cost parity and expanding the
presence of Day4’s innovative high performance technology in solar generation
markets while making efficient use of our capital.” said Dr. John MacDonald,
CEO and Chairman of Day4.
The company will provide more specific financial guidance regarding the positive
impacts of the transaction during its first quarter earnings conference call
on May 11, 2010. The parties anticipate closing the transaction, which is subject
to customary closing conditions, in the first half of 2010.
GMP Securities L.P.
provided a fairness opinion regarding the acquisition to the Day4 board of
directors. Conference Call Information
Day4’s management will conduct a conference call at 8:30am (ET) April
27, 2010 to discuss the acquisition and franchise business model. The call
can be accessed by dialing 1-800-319-4610 (Canada and US) or 1-604-638-5340
(International) prior to the start of the call. Following the call a recording
of the conference call will be archived on Day4’s website, www.day4energy.com.
About Day4:
Day4 Energy Inc. is a Canadian company dedicated to providing high performance
photovoltaic (PV) solutions for residential, commercial and utility scale
installations. By fundamentally improving on the design and assembly of solar
cells and modules, the Company produces unique PV panels of high power density,
increased lifetime and uncompromised aesthetic appearance. Day4 partners
with international technology leaders to develop and deliver IEC- and UL-certified
solar products to customers around the world. Day4 is listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange under the symbol “DFE”. For more information,
please visit www.day4energy.com.
Therese Hayes
Head, Corporate Development
Day4 Energy Inc.
+1 (604) 345-6771
thayes@day4energy.com
Heather Ballachey
Media Contact
Day4 Energy Inc.
+1 (604) 296-0445
media@day4energy.com
Forward Looking Statements:
This news release contains forward-looking information. These statements relate
to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations
and assumptions. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance
or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results
discussed in the forward-looking statements including but not limited to
the fact that the conditions precedent to the completion of the proposed
acquisition may not be successfully met and the acquisition may not be completed.
These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company
does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events
or circumstances.
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