| 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 ACI-ecotec GmbH & Co. KG (“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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