UPDATE: Evergreen Solar Files for Chapter 11 Reorganization

Evergreen Solar, Inc. ESLR today announced that it had voluntarily filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The petition was filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. In conjunction with the Chapter 11 filing, the Company entered into a restructuring support agreement with certain holders of more than 70% of the outstanding principal amount of the Company's 13% Convertible Senior Secured Notes, or the supporting noteholders. Pursuant to the restructuring support agreement, the supporting noteholders have agreed, subject to certain terms and conditions, to implement the restructuring to be effected through one or more sales of certain of the Company's assets pursuant to section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, including the Company's String Ribbon™ wafer technology business assets. As part of the bankruptcy process the Company will undertake a marketing process and will permit all parties to bid on its assets, as a whole or in groups pursuant to section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code. The supporting noteholders have agreed to support the Company's restructuring by consenting to cash collateral usage pursuant to a budget during the sale process; and to support the costs of the Bankruptcy Case, including court approval of a plan of reorganization subsequent to the sale process. As part of the restructuring, an entity formed by the supporting noteholders, ES Purchaser, LLC, entered into an asset purchase agreement with the Company. ES Purchaser will serve as a “stalking-horse” and provide a “credit-bid” pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code for assets being sold. If higher or better offers for assets are not obtained, it is expected that most of the Company's assets will be acquired by ES Purchaser pursuant to the asset purchase agreement. The asset purchase agreement for the 363 sale is subject to Bankruptcy Court approval and other customary closing conditions. The Company has the requisite funding in hand to operate in Chapter 11 and will continue to operate but with additional operational changes necessary to continue to reduce expenses.