News
Suntech Opens Sales and Business Development Office in Australia
SAN FRANCISCO and SYDNEY, April 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), one of the world's leading manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules, today announced the opening of Suntech Australia that will be focused on sales and business development in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
''With abundant sunlight and low population density, Australia is ideally suited to distributed solar energy generation, and well-placed to take a leading role in the development and utilization of this clean and sustainable energy solution,'' said Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. ''Australia's ratification of the Kyoto protocol and increasing State support for solar projects reflects the broader community's growing interest in renewable energy and environmental sustainability. Suntech is committed to supporting this trend through investment in Australia's solar industry, and the provision of premium quality solar products.''
Dr. Shi added, ''With our new base in Sydney and continued collaborative efforts with local and regional partners, we will strive to promote the long-term development of the solar industry in Australia, New Zealand and neighbouring Pacific Islands.''
Suntech's Australia Connections
Dr. Zhengrong Shi, an alumnus of the University of NSW, and Suntech have maintained strong connections with the Australian solar industry. Suntech and the Centre of Excellence in Advanced Silicon Photovoltaics and Photonics of the University of New South Wales Australia have enjoyed long term collaboration on the research and development of cutting-edge solar technologies that target to increase PV cell conversion efficiency and decrease solar energy cost per watt. As part of the collaboration, Suntech has provided funding for solar research projects and the two organizations have mutually shared benefits produced from such efforts. In addition, Suntech also provides funding for a number of UNSW undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships for training in the area of photovoltaic engineering.
''Coming from a scientific research background, I take great pleasure in providing opportunities for up and coming scientists in this dynamic industry,'' commented Dr. Shi. ''Suntech's relationship with the University of NSW brings a commercial focus to research projects and supports the education and development of some of the world's best talent in solar R&D. At the same time, many of the technologies developed through the collaboration can be applied in mass production and facilitate lower cost per watt production of solar energy.''
One technology coming from the research collaboration, named the Pluto technology, is already achieving 18% to 19% conversion efficiency on mono-crystalline PV cells in pilot production - well above the industry average of 16%. Suntech plans to transfer Pluto technology to commercial production in 2008.
Suntech Achieves 1GW Solar Cell and Module Production Capacity
Announces Opening of New, State of the Art Headquarters Powered by World's Largest On-Grid Solar Facade System
SAN FRANCISCO and WUXI, China, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturer, held a ceremony today celebrating the achievement of reaching 1GW PV cell and module production capacity in Wuxi, China. The Company also announced the opening of its new headquarters in Wuxi, China that incorporates a 1MW grid-connected building integrated solar facade, which is the largest in the world.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090108/CNTH012 )
"We are very proud to become the world's first PV solar company to achieve 1GW of solar cell and module production capacity," said Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Chairman and CEO. "Since our inception, we have focused on rapidly building world-class manufacturing facilities that can meet the burgeoning global demand for green energy. This milestone is a credit to all Suntech employees that have tirelessly worked towards the common goal of making cost- effective solar energy systems available on a global scale."
Suntech also announced the opening of its new, state of the art solar headquarters in Wuxi, China. The 18,000 square meter building incorporates the world's largest on-grid photovoltaic facade system, with over 2,552 semi- transparent Light Thru(TM) solar panels and an annual power output of over 1 million kilowatt hours of electricity. The solar energy produced will save over 600 tons of carbon emissions every year. In addition, the headquarters features energy efficient building materials, geothermal temperature control, movement sensor lighting and a comprehensive water recycling system. The 1MW solar facade was installed by Suntech's in-house system integration team, which has completed a range of technically complex building integrated solar systems, including the 120kW Beijing Jingya Hotel Curtain Wall and 800kW Light Thru system at the Wuxi Airport.
"It is a great pleasure to open our new headquarters in Wuxi, China, which is powered by a 1MW solar facade," said Dr. Shi. "We believe that building integrated solar systems are the way forward for environmentally friendly architecture and our new headquarters is an excellent demonstration of how solar can be seamlessly incorporated into modern and attractive buildings."
Dr. Shi continued, "The connection of the 1MW solar facade to the local electricity grid is another important step towards the ongoing development of the Chinese solar market. There are a number of significant solar projects that are currently being developed in China including the 3MW solar roof project for the World Expo Shanghai 2010, and several 10MW+ projects that are in the early development and bidding phase in Dunhuang city, Yunnan province and Qinghai province. These solar projects are reflective of China's commitment to sustainable energy generation and the growing momentum in the domestic solar market."
A photo of the new Suntech headquarters can be downloaded on Suntech's website at http://www.suntech-power.com under Press: Press Assets.
Suntech's Breakthrough Pluto Technology Achieves Efficiencies of 19% on Mono- crystalline PV Cells and 17% on Multi-crystalline PV Cells in Production
Conversion Efficiencies Independently Verified by the Fraunhofer Institute
SAN FRANCISCO and WUXI, China, March 27, 2009 /PRNewswire-Asia via COMTEX/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturer, today announced that it is routinely utilizing the Pluto technology to produce PV cells with conversion efficiencies of approximately 19% on mono-crystalline PV cells and 17% on multi-crystalline PV cells.
Suntech recently sent a number of Pluto PV cells to the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Germany for third party verification. The Fraunhofer Institute test results included a mono-crystalline Pluto PV cell with a conversion efficiency of 18.8% and a multi-crystalline Pluto PV cell with a conversion efficiency of 17.2%. Both PV cells were produced on Suntech's 34MW Pluto production line utilizing solar grade silicon wafers.
Dr. Stuart Wenham, Suntech's Chief Technology Officer said, "We are very excited about the performance of the Pluto technology. We are consistently achieving around 19% conversion efficiency on Pluto mono-crystalline PV cells and around 17% on Pluto multi-crystalline PV cells in large scale production, compared to 16.5% and 15.5% respectively using conventional screen-printed technology."
Dr. Wenham added, "The ability of the Pluto technology to significantly improve the conversion efficiency of both mono and multi-crystalline silicon PV cells is one of its unique characteristics. This will give Suntech the flexibility to offer a complete range of high efficiency solar products. In particular, we believe that Suntech's multi-crystalline Pluto modules will be one of the most efficient multi-crystalline silicon PV modules in commercial scale production world-wide."
Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Chairman and CEO said, "Pluto delivers on the key requirements of the solar industry -- high efficiency, high stability, and high power output -- without utilizing higher grades of silicon. With Pluto-enabled Suntech products, our customers will realize improvements in space utilization and reduced balance of system costs, without increasing the cost of production, making Pluto well suited to commercial scale production and roof top applications."
The patent-pending Pluto technology is based on the PERL technology, developed by the University of NSW in Australia, which has achieved a world record efficiency of 25% in the laboratory. Pluto should improve power output by approximately 12% above conventional screen-printed PV cells. Unique texturing technology, with lower reflectivity, ensures more sunlight can be absorbed throughout the day even without direct solar radiation, and thinner metal lines on the top surface reduces shading loss. Suntech's Pluto technology can be applied to a variety of grades of silicon to suit multiple applications and product types.
Dr. Shi added, "The commercialization of the Pluto technology is the result of years of world-class research and development and is a milestone achievement for Suntech. With over 350 professionals in our R&D team spanning three countries, technology is a central element of our strategy to drive the cost of solar towards grid parity without incentives. Aside from developing high conversion efficiency PV cells, our R&D team is also engaged in the development of new solar applications and building integrated products, material and component optimization, encapsulation technology, and power output optimization and stabilization."
Suntech anticipates ongoing enhancement of the Pluto technology and targets to achieve 20% conversion efficiency on mono-crystalline PV cells and 18% on multi-crystalline PV cells within the next two years. Suntech currently has a fully operational 34MW Pluto PV cell line and targets to have a total of 100MW installed Pluto capacity within the next two months. Suntech expects to receive industry certification for Pluto PV modules in the second quarter of 2009 and targets to ship more than 50MW of Pluto modules in 2009. "Pluto" is a trademark of Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
Sharp Solar – Latest News: Ballarat Solar Park project
Sharp has recently been awarded the project to design and build a 330kW Solar Power Station in Ballarat. The Ballarat Solar Park is one of the two solar parks under the $42 million Central Victoria Solar City project, an aspect of the Solar Cities Programme. The Ballarat project is a joint initiative with our business partner Origin Energy. The 330kW facility will consist of 1,852 Sharp 180W photovoltaic panels (NUS0E3E), which includes the 8 sun trackers. The estimated annual power generation for the park will be over 470 megawatt hours. The park will be able to generate enough renewable energy to provide the 150 local households with solar power.
The Ballarat construction has commenced on the 24th July, and completion date is estimated to be later this year.
Ballarat Solar Park - Artist's Impression: Close Up (2009); Photo Courtesy of Origin Energy
Suntech's Pluto to Power Sydney Theatre Company
SYDNEY and WUXI, China, July 12/PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturer, today announced that Suntech solar panels containing new high efficiency Pluto cells will help power Sydney Theatre Company (STC) as one of several initiatives in STC's Greening the Wharf project.
The 500kW Pluto solar system, which should be completed in 2010, is slated to be one of the largest capacity rooftop solar project in Australia and along with energy saving measures will reduce Sydney Theatre Company's power drawn from the grid by up to 70%. The family foundation of Dr. Zhengrong and Vivienne Shi has donated $2 million to help fund the "Greening the Wharf" project and the Australian Government will provide $1.2 million of funding.
Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Chairman and CEO, said, "It is a pleasure to support one of the cultural centerpieces of Sydney to reduce its carbon footprint through these sustainability initiatives. I hope that this project increases the awareness of climate change and demonstrates the huge role that solar can play in mitigating carbon emissions in Australia today."
The three key initiatives that form the heart of "Greening the Wharf" are: the installation of the state-of-the-art PV array; the introduction of extensive energy efficiency measures; and the introduction of an innovative rainwater harvesting, storage and reticulation system which will supply 100% of the STC's non-potable water requirements.
Over the next 25 years, it is estimated that the Greening the Wharf project will deliver 10,350 MWh of power generated via the PV array, 5,000MWh in energy savings and water savings of 37.5 million litres.
Suntech collaborates with the University of NSW in Australiain connection with advanced solar technologies. Dr. Shi said, "The high efficiency Pluto technology is a fantastic example of successful integration of world-class technology with commercial manufacturing techniques. There is enormous potential for solar to sustainably power our energy needs and we will continue collaborating with the University of NSWin connection with new generations of technology that facilitate more widespread adoption of solar."
About the Sydney Theatre Company
Sydney Theatre Company has been a major force in Australian drama since 1978. Operating from its home venue, The Wharf, on SydneyHarbour, where it produces a diverse year-round program of work, STC is also Resident Drama Company of the Sydney Opera House and produces and programs work at its state-of-the-art SydneyTheatre, WalshBay. STC regularly co-produces and tours its productions throughout Australia and internationally. Andrew Upton and Cate Blanchett have been Artistic Directors of the Company since January 2008
