Suntech Power Holdings Limited just announced that their Pluto technology has enabled the company to boost its conversion efficiency by 2.5 percentage points on monocrystalline PV cells and 1.5 percentage points on multicrystalline PV cells. Suntech is now able to produce monocrystalline PV cells with 19% conversion efficiency and multicrystalline cells with 17% conversion efficiency.
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. and the City of Santa Barbara have announced the activation of the City of Santa Barbara’s first large solar power system. The 384 KW system system uses Suntech modules and is capable of producing 550,000 kWh of clean energy per year, taking out the equivalent of 191 metric tons of CO2.
"Working with the City of Santa Barbara and Tioga Energy has been a pleasure for Suntech," said Marco Garcia, … Read the rest
Gemini Solar, a joint venture between Suntech and MMA Renewable Ventures, has been selected to build a 30 MW solar power plant that will provide power for Austin, Texas. The plant, which should be online by the end of next year, will produce enough power for 5,000 homes and save 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year.
Steven Chan, Suntech’s Chief Strategy Officer and President of Global Sales and Marketing, commented on the news:
Suntech just announced a new distribution agreement with House Care Co, LTD. Under the terms of the agreement, House Care is authorized to distribute Suntech’s products to the Japanese market. In 2009, House Care expects to distribute 30MW of Suntech’s products.
Dr. Tadao Kasahara, President of MSK Corporation, a Suntech subsidiary, commented on the agreement:
”House Care is one of Japan’s leading providers of innovative roofing systems and we are delighted to establish a fruitful
Suntech just announced that they have signed an exclusive distribution contract for the North American market with Eagle Roofing. Under the agreement, Eagle Roofing will incorporate Suntech’s SolarBlend(tm) roof tiles into the Eagle Solar roof. Eagle expects that this agreement will lead to the SolarBlend tiles being installed in over 1,000 homes. Eagle will also offer Suntech’s Black Label(TM) STP 175S – 24/Ab-1 175-watt modules to its customers. Along with Suntech’s products, Eagle will also … Read the rest
Suntech is planning on expanding its Japanese market. In 2009, the company expects Japanese sales to be approximately 400-500 MW, according to JLM Pacific Epoch.
At first, the company "will focus on exporting monocrystalline modules." However, as part of its expansion plans, Suntech will also set up 100 stores across the country to sell solar-powered household goods to Japanese consumers. On March 1st, Suntech will launch a subsidy system in Japan. … Read the rest
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd has signed a 1 year, 5 MW supply deal with Standard Solar, Inc. Under the agreement, Suntech will supply 5 MW of solar panels to Standard Solar this year. The companies have not disclosed the amount of money involved, nor what product Standard Solar will use these solar panels for.
Scott Wiater, Standard Solar’s VP of Procurement, commented on the deal:
"Partnering with Suntech, a top-tier manufacturer offering a broad
Suntech’s pre-global financial crisis plans included hiring 2000 more employees and expanding its capacity to 1.5 GW in 2009. Instead, plans for expansion have been put on hold, and the company has laid off 800 of its employees, 10% of its workforce. According to TradingMarkets.com, the cuts were made on the basis of competency, with the least competent employees being laid off.
TradingMarkets.com also offered some further analysis on Suntech:
Suntech and Open Energy now have an exclusive partnership to license Open Energy’s building integrated solar roof membrane product. Suntech will manufacture, distribute and market the new product, a flat roof membrane that will be called SolarEze. The product is easy to install and durable, able to withstand extreme weather conditions.
According to Leonard May, Suntech’s Managing Director of BIPV Products:
"Open Energy’s product fits well within our line of solar roofing products adding an
Suntech will open a new sales and customer service office in Milan, Italy, to cater to its customers in the growing Italian solar market. Solar energy is expected to expand next year in sunny Italy, helped along by generous government subsidies of up to EUR0.49/kWh.
Here’s what Mauro Sgherri, Suntech’s Director of Sales, Italy, had to say about Suntech’s expansion:
“Suntech’s involvement in many of the highest profile solar projects in Europe combined with