May 27, 2003

Newark, DE, USA: AstroPower announces management changes; CEO and CFO resign

AstroPower, Inc. (NASDAQ:APWRE) announced today that Dr. Allen M. Barnett, President and CEO, and Thomas J. Stiner, CFO, resigned as officers of the Company on Friday, May 23, 2003. They will continue to serve as directors of the Company.

It is also contemplated that Mr. Stiner will remain with the Company in a consulting capacity during the transition to new management.

In addition, Peter Aschenbrenner, AstroPower's former Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, has left the Company.

The Company's Board of Directors has authorized an immediate search for a new CEO and CFO of the Company.

Until such time as a new CEO and CFO have been hired, the independent directors shall assume the responsibility of running the day-to-day business of the Company.

Dr. George W. Roland was appointed acting CEO of the Company and Gilbert Steinberg was appointed acting CFO of the Company. Dr. Jeff Edington was appointed acting technology officer and Clare Nordquist was appointed as director of Special Projects, the first of which is implementing the search for a new CEO and CFO.

Director Gilbert Steinberg was also elected as a non-executive Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors.

Director Gilbert Steinberg thanked Dr. Barnett and Mr. Stiner for their past efforts on behalf of the Company.

Dr. Barnett has been involved with energy-related technology issues and conservation programs for more than 30 years. He is a founder of AstroPower and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director since 1989.

Mr. Stiner has been with the Company since 1993, serving as AstroPower's Chief Financial Officer since December 1997 and as Senior Vice President since January, 2000. He was elected as a Director in May 2002.