EMCORE Strengthens its Leadership Position With $29 Million New Purchase Orders for Concentrator Solar Cell Receivers

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., July 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EMCORE Corporation (Nasdaq: EMKR) a leading provider of semiconductor-based components and subsystems for the broadband, fiber-optic, satellite and terrestrial solar power markets, announced today that it entered into two definitive supply agreements for solar cell receivers in June 2008 with a total value of approximately $29 million. These supply agreements incorporate advance deposits to ensure production priority for these customers. The end applications for the product to be delivered range from solar farm to commercial rooftop installations employing Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) technology. Production for these orders has commenced and shipments are scheduled to occur over the next 24 months.

The awards of these purchase orders further strengthen EMCORE's position as the leading supplier in CPV technologies and products, and diversify our growing terrestrial component backlog.

EMCORE has introduced a line of integrated CPV solar cell products optimized for operation from 500X to 1000X concentration with a minimum average efficiency of 37%, which provide terrestrial systems integrators with a complete photovoltaic solution for their CPV systems. EMCORE's CPV receiver is easily integrated into existing CPV systems and has emerged as the most desirable form in the industry. EMCORE is the first company to provide its customers with 20 years of performance warranty. By choosing EMCORE's complete and highly reliable receiver solution, CPV system developers are able to focus their efforts on advancing their optical design and optimizing the balance of the system, significantly reducing their time to market.

About EMCORE:

EMCORE Corporation is a leading provider of compound semiconductor-based components and subsystems for the broadband, fiber optic, satellite and terrestrial solar power markets. EMCORE's Fiber Optics unit offers optical components, subsystems and systems that enable the transmission of video, voice and data over high-capacity fiber optic cables for high-speed data and telecommunications, cable television (CATV) and fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks. EMCORE's Solar Power unit provides solar products for satellite and terrestrial applications. For satellite applications, EMCORE offers high-efficiency compound semiconductor-based gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells, covered interconnect cells and fully integrated solar panels. For terrestrial applications, EMCORE offers concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems for utility scale solar applications as well as offering its high-efficiency GaAs solar cells and CPV components for use in solar power concentrator systems. For specific information about our company, our products or the markets we serve, please visit our website at http://www.emcore.com.

Safe Harbor

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, and the assumptions underlying such statements, constitute "forward-looking statements" and assumptions underlying "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including (a) the failure of the products mentioned (i) to perform as expected without material defects, (ii) to be manufactured at acceptable volumes, yields, and cost, and (iii) to be successful under field conditions, and (b) the ability by the Company's customers to achieve their own business goals and objectives, and to complete the purchases contemplated by the agreements. Readers should also review the risk factors set forth in EMCORE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and EMCORE does not assume any obligation to update these statements.

     CONTACT:

     EMCORE Corporation
     Adam Gushard -- Interim Chief Financial Officer
     (505) 332-5000
     info@emcore.com

     TTC Group
     Vic Allgeier
     (646) 290-6400
     vic@ttcominc.com

SOURCE EMCORE Corporation

Released July 9, 2008