Spire Secures Expanded $8 Million Revolving Credit Facility with Silicon Valley Bank

BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing turnkey solar factories and capital equipment to manufacture photovoltaic (PV) modules and solar systems worldwide, today announced that it has amended its current Revolving Credit Facility. In addition to the amended $3 million facility, the Company has added an additional $5 million revolver under an Export-Import Credit Facility which is backed by a guarantee from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (the “Ex-Im Bank”). The existing Equipment Credit Facility will be retained with no additional funds available under that line. In the aggregate, the Company will have availability of up to $8 million over the next year.

“We are glad we are able to renew our commitment to the Company and help it meet its growth objectives, particularly in such a challenging economy.”

Roger G. Little, Chairman and CEO of Spire Corporation, commented, "We are pleased to receive these credit facilities, which improve our liquidity to support our growth. Silicon Valley Bank has been a good financial partner. Even with the tough banking environment, we were also able to increase the loan availability with the assistance of the guarantee offered by Ex-Im Bank."

“Spire is well positioned in the growing PV solar renewable market,” said Jay T. Tracy of Silicon Valley Bank’s Boston office. “We are glad we are able to renew our commitment to the Company and help it meet its growth objectives, particularly in such a challenging economy.”

About Silicon Valley Bank

Silicon Valley Bank is the premier commercial bank for companies in the technology, life science, venture capital and premium wine industries. SVB provides a comprehensive suite of financing solutions, treasury management, corporate investment and international banking services to its clients worldwide. Through its focus on specialized markets and extensive knowledge of the people and business issues driving them, Silicon Valley Bank provides a level of service and partnership that measurably impacts its clients' success. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, the company serves clients around the world through 27 U.S. offices and international operations in China, India, Israel and the United Kingdom. Silicon Valley Bank is a member of global financial services firm SVB Financial Group (Nasdaq: SIVB), with SVB Analytics, SVB Capital, SVB Global and SVB Private Client Services. More information on the company can be found at www.svb.com.

About Spire Corporation

Spire Corporation is a global solar company providing turnkey production lines and capital equipment to manufacture photovoltaic modules and solar systems worldwide. Spire Semiconductor provides processing technology for Spire’s silicon solar cell manufacturing lines and produces and sells custom gallium arsenide cells for solar concentrator systems. For corporate or product information, contact Spire Corporation, “The Turnkey Solar Factory Company,” at 781-275-6000, or visit www.spirecorp.com.

Certain matters described in this news release may be forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk of dependence on market growth, competition and dependence on government agencies and other third parties for funding contract research and services, as well as other factors described in the Company's Form 10-K and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Silicon Valley Bank is the California bank subsidiary and the commercial banking operation of SVB Financial Group. Banking services are provided by Silicon Valley Bank, a member of the FDIC and the Federal Reserve System. SVB Financial Group is also a member of the Federal Reserve System.