Solar Industries acquires strategic partner

Solar Industries plans to build an advanced production plant for solar modules in Mittelland (Switzerland), which will produce solar modules primarily for the Swiss solar market. “This will enable us to offer our home market a local, competitive product with an excellent environmental balance”, said Thomas Cadonau, CFO and Head of Business Development at Solar Industries. Energie Wasser Bern acquired a 15.3% interest in the Swiss solar company Solar Industries AG, which makes it a major shareholder along with New Value AG and EGS-Beteiligungen AG. Rolf Wägli, Chairman of the Board of Solar Industries AG and New Value, is pleased to have the new strategic partner in the team: “This is a win-win situation. The expertise for successful expansion in Switzerland that EWB brings to the table is very valuable, and the investment underscores the significance of Energie Wasser Bern for the promising photovoltaic market. Both parties ensure themselves a major role in the proliferation of this renewable and clean source of energy in Switzerland.”

With this investment, Solar Industries has completed the second tranche of its current capital increase round. In total, the company increased its capital by CHF 8.6 million in 2011, from a nominal value of CHF 21,572,068 to CHF 28,439,913. In January 2011, New Value invested CHF 2 Mio. in the first financing round and now holds a stake of 32.8%.

Information about Solar Industries AG
Solar Industries AG is pursuing a growth and “buy & build” strategy along the value chain for solar module manufacturing and marketing. SIAG invests in start-up and early-stage companies active in photovoltaics with the eventual goal of successful integration in a competitive market environment. SIAG has already invested in three module-manufacturing sites in Germany and Italy via Solar Industries Module GmbH and MX Group. Currently these plants have a production capacity of 200 MWp per year. SIAG has also established a presence in the PV systems and PV engineering businesses through its majority interest in SI Solutions GmbH, a subsidiary headquartered in Puchheim, Germany (near Munich).

Information about New Value AG
New Value, listed at SIX Swiss Exchange, invests directly in promising private companies in Switzerland and neighbouring countries with above-average market and growth potential. As an investment company, New Value promotes innovative business models with venture capital and accompanies those to market success. The portfolio covers companies of different stages of development, starting with the market introduction phase up to medium-sized enterprises with stable profits. The portfolio contains companies active in cleantech and healthcare. New Value assigns great value to ethical business concepts and good corporate governance while selecting their portfolio companies. Criteria such as meaningfulness, social responsibility and ecological sustainability are considered by New Value as decisive competitive advantages, which affect and enhance the quality of products and services offered and thus, facilitate an above average increase of value potential. With impact investing New Value creates ethical added value – an entrepreneurial approach based on a unique combination of economical and ethical performance. Since the formation of New Value, EPS Value Plus AG, Zurich, has served as investment manager.