Hoku Announces Arrival of First Polysilicon Reactors in Pocatello; Provides Update on Project Progress and Financing

Hoku Materials, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hoku Scientific, Inc. http://www.hokuscientific.com/ , today announced the arrival of the first shipment of Siemens-process reactors, key equipment used in the production of polysilicon, at the company’s facility in Pocatello, Idaho.

The German-made reactors are used to produce polycrystalline silicon (also known as wafer silicon), which is in turn used in the fabrication of thin-film solar cells.

Hoku reported it had received six such polysilicon reactors at its project site, and that the first two polysilicon reactors have already been assembled and installed on the production floor. The reactors, which were manufactured in Germany by GEC/MSA, are the first units to arrive in Pocatello out of a planned total order of 28. Hoku had expected to receive the reactors in December 2008, but reported that their delivery had been affected by unusually heavy winter weather on the U.S. west coast and the customs process. The next shipment of ten polysilicon reactors and related equipment is planned to arrive at Hoku’s facility in March 2009.

"The arrival of the first polysilicon reactors in Pocatello marks a very significant milestone in our polysilicon project," said Dustin Shindo, chairman and chief executive officer of Hoku Scientific. "These polysilicon reactors are the most critical individual components in our planned production process, and are among the longest lead-time equipment on our procurement schedule."

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