11/9/2006

Power Management Leaders Sign MOU for Solar Energy Cooperation

Paris, November 9, 2006 - Three of the world's leading experts in power management technologies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of photovoltaic power generation. Under the terms of the MOU, Delta Electronics, Inc. of Taiwan, its majority-owned subsidiary DelSolar Co. Ltd. (Taiwan), and STMicroelectronics NV (NYSE:STM) will explore strategic cooperation opportunities with the intention of concluding a strategic partnership in areas such as increasing solar cell production, and developing photovoltaic inverter and power supply applications. ST is the world's leading supplier of semiconductor solutions for power conversion applications. DelSolar is a world leader in solar cell manufacturing. Delta, the world's number one provider of switching power supplies, is focusing on photovoltaic inverter design and production and desires to become a major player in the fast growing solar energy system market.

Solar power accounted for only 0.024% of the total amount of electricity produced globally in 2004. By 2010 this may grow by a factor of 10, as solar power is predicted to supply 0.25% of the world's electricity.* Beyond that, solar energy has huge growth potential as global demand for clean, renewable energy increases. Solar power's advantages include low environmental pollution, solar cells with long product life cycles, and an unlimited supply of raw energy—the earth receives more energy from the sun in just one hour than the world uses in a whole year.

"The solar electricity market is set to grow. In 2005 the cumulative installed capacity of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems around the world passed the landmark figure of 5000MWp. Global shipments of PV cells and modules have been growing at an average annual rate of more than 35% **for the past few years and we expect that emerging photovoltaic markets such as China, India, and South Korea will become substantial beyond 2010 and will drive commoditization," noted Carmelo Papa, corporate vice president and general manager of ST's Micro, Power, and Analog Group.

"We believe that the combination of expertise offered by Delta, DelSolar, and ST, which spans the full chain from the raw silicon to the inverters and power supplies that deliver electrical energy to the users, will enable the development of more efficient technologies and products, thereby accelerating the wider use of solar energy," said Mr. RC Liang, senior technology advisor of Delta Group and CEO of DelSolar.

* Daiwa Institute of Research Sept 2006
** EPIA Sept 2006


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About Delta Group
Delta Group is the world's largest provider of switching power supplies and a major source for power management solutions, components, visual displays, industrial automation, networking products, and renewable energy. Established in 1971, Delta Group has sales offices worldwide and manufacturing plants in Taiwan, Thailand, China, Mexico and Europe. As a global leader in power electronics, Delta is committed to environmental protection and has implemented green, lead-free production and recycling and waste management programs for many years. Delta's mission continues to be: "To provide innovative energy-saving products for a better quality of life." More information about Delta Group can be found at http://www.deltaww.com.


About DelSolar
DelSolar was founded in November 2004 by the Delta Group, the world's number one provider of switching power supplies, and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), with the goal of becoming a world leader in solar cell manufacturing. DelSolar is now focusing on developing high performance solar cells and their manufacturing processes, which are fully integrated with proprietary automation systems/equipment. Since starting in 2004, DelSolar's business has been growing at a rate well exceeding expectations due to the company's ability to provide world-class cell efficiency with a high production yield. DelSolar intends to increase its production capacity from today's 50MW to 100MW in 2007 to meet market demand.

About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2005, the Company's net revenues were $8.88 billion and net earnings were $266 million. Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com.

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Press Contact Details:

Delta Group
Jesse Chou
Senior Director of Public Relations
Tel: 886-2-87972088 #5520
E-mail: jesse.chou@delta.com.tw

STMicroelectronics
Jenny Huang
Corporate Communications
Phone: +886-2 2378 8088 Ext. 6311
Fax: +886-2 2378 9188
E-mail: jenny.huang@st.com

News Source:Corporate Investment and Delsolar Co. Ltd.