2012-09-20 13:33:29 -

SANTA CLARA, Calif., September 20, 2012 - Applied Materials, Inc., a leading
supplier to the photovoltaic (PV) solar industry, will highlight its latest
innovations in solar technology at the 27th European Solar Energy Conference and
Exhibition (EU PVSEC) in Frankfurt, Germany, next week. These innovations are
focused on customers looking for powerful, easy-to-implement solutions to boost
cell efficiency and lower manufacturing costs - while delivering rapid return on
investment.

Top Cell and Module Manufacturers Upgrading to Fine Line Double Print Technology
New data from some of the solar industry's top cell and module manufacturers
shows that significant gains can be realized with Applied's unique Fine Line
Double Print technology, powered by Applied's Baccini Esatto Technology(TM).
Used to optimize the conducting lines of a solar cell by making them taller and
narrower, Fine   Line Double Printing can reduce expensive front silver paste
usage by 20% to less than 110mg per wafer, while simultaneously increasing cell
efficiency by 0.2% absolute. These benefits can translate to significant
additional revenue with a return on investment in as little as 6 months. Fine
Line Double Print is offered as an upgrade to the installed base of Baccini
screen print lines used in c-Si cell production worldwide.

Advanced Wire Saw Technology for Increased Productivity and Performance
Applying its extensive expertise in wire saw technology, Applied is providing
customers with a quick, low risk path to increasing the productivity of its
precision wafering and squaring systems. Compatible with both diamond wire and
structured wire slurry systems, Applied's new High Tension Upgrade Kit can
double cutting speed with virtually no impact on yield and system footprint.

Applied is now offering for select applications its unique, high-strength,
structured wire technology as an option for customers' Applied HCT B5 wire saws
- the industry's most widely used system. Providing greater than 20%
productivity improvement, more than 15% energy reduction and a 20% or more
reduction in wire consumption, structured wire enables a significant increase in
HCT B5 performance.

Ion Implantation Boosts Cell Efficiency, Improves Yield
Applied's Solion(®) ion implanter is setting new benchmarks in c-Si cell
efficiency and reduced production costs. Providing unique advantages over
traditional doping methods, the system increases p-n junction quality to deliver
efficiencies over 20% using advanced cell structures. These efficiency gains,
combined with the elimination of PSG clean and isolation steps, lower the cost
per watt for cell manufacturers. Multiple Solion systems are already in high
volume production, providing the uniformity and exceptional process control to
enable tighter binning for more high value cells.

Presenting Cutting-Edge Technology for the Next Inflection
Applied will present nine papers at PVSEC's prestigious technical conference,
which runs September 24-28. The first presentation, "High Efficiency Back
Contact Solar Cell Via Ion Implantation" will be a joint paper with Samsung.
Follow this link for a complete list of Applied's oral and poster presentations.
Also, please visit Applied's booth at PVSEC in Hall 3, #G-10.

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in providing
innovative equipment, services and software to enable the manufacture of
advanced semiconductor, flat panel display and solar photovoltaic products. Our
technologies help make innovations like smartphones, flat screen TVs and solar
panels more affordable and accessible to consumers and businesses around the
world. At Applied Materials, we turn today's innovations into the industries of
tomorrow. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.

# # #

Contact:
Michael Baxter (Europe media) Office +49.6023.92.6276 Cell +49.174.33.87590
Connie Duncan (editorial/media) 408.563.6209
Michael Sullivan (financial community) 408.986.7977




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