Direct energy consumption applies to natural gas, and has been internally covered by our environmental management since 2007. In 2008 it amounted to 36,311e (previous year: 16,307e) MWh, i.e. 130,719,600e (previous year: 58,706,207e) MJ. These figures relate to the sites in Germany (Freiberg and Bonn) and the USA (Camarillo and Hillsboro). No data were available for the sales offices in Spain, South Africa and Singapore, but these amounts are only minor and therefore not material (Explanation Type 1). For the CDP these emissions were estimated on the basis of the number of employees to be 32,778e (previous year: 48,736e) kWh. Updated figures can be made available for the reporting in the context of the CDP (May 2009). The share of renewable sources of energy as a proportion of total sources of energy amounts to 69 per cent for the SOLARWORLD group (with the exception of the sales and distribution locations in Spain, South Africa and Singapore).

Indirect energy consumption was 233,871e (previous year: 177.606e) MWh, with electricity accounting for 233,112e (previous year: 176,551e) MWh and district heating accounting for 758e (previous year: 1,055e) MWh. These data apply to the sites in Germany (Freiberg and Bonn) and the USA (Camarillo and Hillsboro). For the CDP these emission were estimated on the basis of the number of employees to be 74,571e (previous year: 41,315e) kWh.
Updated figures can be made available for the reporting in the context of the CDP (Mai 2009). An estimate of the Megajoules (MJ) required to generate the primary energy for the production of the secondary energy (based on individual fuel consumption, standard figures for power and heat or estimated figures) was not yet possible due to the data situation (Explanation Type 2) and is to be tackled in the medium term. It is currently being examined how the exclusive use of power from renewable sources can be implemented in the best possible way over the long term.

Total water withdrawal was 965,841.66e (previous year: 1,006,428.16e) m³, broken down into surface water of 481,016.00e (previous year: 445,000.00e) m³ and water from municipal utility supply of 484,825.66e (previous year: 561,428.16e) m³. In the year 2008 a quantity of 121,162.00e m³ of water was reused. These data apply to the sites in Germany (Freiberg and Bonn) and the USA (Camarillo and Hillsboro). No data were available for the sales offices in Spain, South Africa and Singapore, but these amounts are minor and therefore not material (Explanation Type 1). Our JSSI silicon production uses water mainly for cooling purposes, operating in a closed-circuit system.

We already provided detailed disclosures on this range of topics in our report for 2007. We do not operate any facilities located in or adjacent to protected areas or comprise any areas with high biodiversity outside protected areas.

Our activities, products or services at our sites do not have any major impacts on biodiversity in protected areas or in areas of high biodiversity outside protected areas.

Calculation of greenhouse gas emissions includes the companies under the full operational control of SOLARWORLD (excluding the companies in which SOLARWORLD only holds an interest, e.g. joint ventures). The data were determined using the calculation tools of the GHG Protocol of the CDP. The data for energy consumption at the sales and distribution locations in Spain, South Africa and Singapore were estimated on the basis of the number of staff and the consumption figures at the sales location in Germany. Furthermore, the emissions of the vehicle fleet were estimated on the basis of the previous year’s values (mileage). We are not aware of the potential error rates caused by the estimates and the calculation aids. In the year 2008 the provisional sum of direct and indirect emissions thus amounted to 96,297e (previous year: 76,724e¹) tCO_2eq. Updated figures can be made available for the reporting in the context of the CDP (May 2009).

1) determined excluding discontinued activities (i.e. without the site in Sweden) as well as with new emission data. As in the previous year the most up-to-date value of the International Energy Agency (IEA) was used to extrapolate the emissions of the electricity mix. The most upto- date value in this year’s reporting was substantially lower which is why the emission volume (in tCO_2eq) for 2007 was corrected.

This indicator includes emissions of our suppliers, the vehicle fleet of our logistics service companies, emissions in the course of business travel, and emissions for the returns system for packaging and used products. However, these data have not yet been recorded to date so that it is impossible to draw up statistics (Explanation Type 2). Our examination of the facts has shown that the acquisition of these data would be extremely difficult. There might also be a certain amount of double counting since other companies also report their figures within the framework of the CDP. We want to monitor this point in the long term but initially want to concentrate mainly on reducing our indirect greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. from energy consumption). Our products themselves do not generate any emissions. The modules/systems which we sold in 2008 will save 2.7e (previous year: 2.1e¹) million tCO_2eq over a period of 25 years. This avoids environmental damage worth 190e (previous year: 144e¹) m€. Updated figures can be made available for the reporting in the context of the CDP (May 2009). We compensate a part of our emissions via participation in the Climate Initiative of NetJets. In 2008, these emissions accounted to 266.74 (previous year: 49.26) tCO_2eq. It is currently being studied how we can best compensate for the emissions (CO_2eq) of all our business air travel over the long term.

1) determined excluding discontinued activities (i.e. without the site in Sweden) as well as with new emission data.

There are no emissions of ozone-depleting substances.

Air emissions in the USA¹ (Camarillo) in 2008 amounted to 1.85e (previous year: 0.33e) tons NO_x, 0.15e (previous year: 0) tons SO_x, 6.94e (previous year: 7.25e) tons VOC, 0.64e (previous year: 2.16e) tons of hazardous air pollutants, 0.3e (previous year: 0.3e) tons of particulate matter (PM10) as well as 1.13e tons of other standard air emissions, which are regulated by legislation. These substances occur only in our US production and are below the legal threshold values. The figures are currently estimated. The higher values are attributable to the strong growth in production. In the following year increased values are again expected for this reason.

1) In the 2007 report only the Camarillo site was explicitly mentioned. However, the data also included the emissions at the Vancouver site and are therefore comparable.

Total water discharge is 812,304.00e (previous year: 793,224.24e) m³. That is the amount discharged to the municipal drainage system. Total precipitation water discharge is not measured. In Germany, a charge is paid based on built-up area. It is therefore impossible to draw up any statistics (Explanation Type 2). We intend to address this issue in the medium term. The above figure relates to the sites in Germany (Freiberg and Bonn) and the USA (Camarillo and Hillsboro). The figures are currently estimated. No data were available for our sales offices in Spain, South Africa and Singapore, but these amounts are minor and therefore not material (Explanation Type 1). In the year 2008 a total of 121,162.00e m³ of our water was reused. EN8 Data on the precise reprocessing method, on water reuse by other organizations as well as on water quality for the total volume of waste water/process water (e.g. BOD = Biochemical Oxygen Demand or TSS = Total Suspended Solids) have so far not been recorded and appropriate statistics can therefore not be prepared (Explanation Type 2). We want to tackle this point in the medium term.

Total weight of waste was 9,322.42e (previous year: 11,488.42e) tons. Of this total, hazardous waste accounted for 3,456.42e (previous year: 7,257.55e) tons and non-hazardous waste for 5,866.00e (previous year: 4,230.87e) tons. 100e per cent of hazardous waste and 30e per cent of non-hazardous waste is recycled at the Camarillo site as well as 37e per cent of non-hazardous waste at the Hillsboro site (which together accounts for 34e per cent of hazardous waste and 28e per cent of non-hazardous waste of the group). Details on other disposal methods have so far not been recorded which is why statistics on this topic cannot be prepared (Explanation Type 2). We want to tackle this point in the medium term. The data relate to the sites in Germany (Freiberg and Bonn) and the USA (Camarillo and Hillsboro). The figures are currently estimated. No data were available for our sales offices in Spain, South Africa and Singapore, but these amounts are minor and therefore not material (Explanation Type 1).

In the reporting period, as in 2007, there were no significant spills (chemicals, oils, fuels).

The products of SOLARWORLD have no significant environmental impact in terms of material input, water consumption, emissions, discharge water, noise or waste. The modules can be recycled at the end of their useful lives.

Our packaging materials are made of cardboard, paper and box board, together with packaging strips and plastic film. The packaging serves to protect our goods during transportation, rather than to fulfil advertising purposes. In Germany we have contracted out recycling and reclamation to Interseroh Dienstleistungs GmbH. 100 per cent of the material is recycled (type separated), with 100 per cent directly reused. The duly notified quantities of authorized packaging are determined by Interseroh in accordance with the inspection specification (as per September 2007) mainly on the basis of purchasing statistics, invoices and delivery notes and checked by an auditor in the subsequent year. Materials taken back via another collection system or taken back under our own collection system and reused, and packaging shown to have been exported, are not included in these figures. In 2008, the weight of our packaging was 448 (previous year: 374 (366e¹)) tons. In the USA we internally recycle most of our packaging materials used at the US locations. At our sales offices in Spain, South Africa and Singapore, the only waste materials are office and kitchen waste, which are disposed of in accordance with the respective national legislation applicable. These data have not yet been recorded at group level so that it is impossible to draw up any statistics (Explanation Type 2). We intend to address this issue in the medium term.

1) The original data filter failed to cover all the data of the system so that the figure published in the 2007 report is slightly lower.

As in 2007, no significant fines or non-monetary sanctions were imposed on SOLARWORLD for non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations. This also applies to the joint ventures of SOLARWORLD.