Manufacturing Plant to be a Showcase for Latest-Generation Technologies and EquipmentPHOENIX, AZ, Jan 27, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- From the AZ4Solar Symposium
today, Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest
crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturer, and Arizona
Governor Jan Brewer announced that the company's first U.S. manufacturing
plant will be located in the City of Goodyear, Arizona. The Suntech Goodyear
factory will initially employ more than 70 local residents and is designed as
a showcase for the company's latest-generation solar electricity manufacturing
technologies and equipment. It will begin with a production capacity of 30 MW
and has the potential to expand to over 120 MW, giving Suntech the ability to
respond to the rapidly growing demand for solar throughout the United States.
As the first China-based cleantech company to bring manufacturing jobs to
the United States, Suntech carefully reviewed communities across the country
to find the best possible location for its first domestic plant. Suntech
selected Goodyear based on several factors, including the State of Arizona's
progressive renewable energy standards and solar policies for both
utility-scale and rooftop installations, the Greater Phoenix Area's supportive
business climate, and the availability of local manufacturing-ready facilities.
"I am pleased to welcome Suntech to Arizona, and commend the company for
choosing Goodyear as the site for its solar manufacturing operation," said
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. "I am very serious about establishing Arizona as
a leader in the renewable energy sector -- we offer a strategic location with
a highly skilled workforce, low payroll taxes, and, now, the right incentive
program to make business sense."
Suntech's Goodyear plant will serve as a showcase for the company's latest
solar electricity manufacturing technologies, facilitating collaboration with
similar efforts ongoing at nearby Arizona State University. In addition the
company will deploy state-of-the-art manufacturing and testing equipment that
will ensure the highest levels of efficiency and output of Suntech's module
manufacturing process. Plans also include constructing solar parking
structures on the site that will generate electricity for use in the plant as
well as provide shaded parking for employees.
"I'm thrilled that Suntech, one of the world's leaders of innovative
energy solutions, has chosen to establish its first North American plant here
in Goodyear," said James M. Cavanaugh, Mayor of Goodyear. "Suntech will bring
new employment opportunities in this emerging industry to Goodyear and all of
Arizona."
"Taking the step to bring manufacturing to the U.S. is a strategic move
for our North American business, and we're focused on making the most of our
investment," said Steven Chan, Chief Strategy Officer, Suntech. "With our
Goodyear facility, we have the opportunity to design a truly innovative module
manufacturing center that can accelerate innovation, allowing us to deploy new
products designed to meet the burgeoning U.S. solar market. Having a facility
here in the US will also reduce the time, costs and greenhouse gas emissions
associated with shipping panels from overseas."
Manufacturing in Suntech's Goodyear plant will begin in September 2010.
About Suntech
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP) is the world's leading solar
energy company as measured by production output of crystalline silicon solar
modules. Suntech designs, develops, manufactures, and markets premium quality,
high-output, cost-effective and environmentally friendly solar products for
electric power applications in the residential, commercial, industrial, and
public utility sectors. Suntech offers an extensive range of customer-centric
innovations, including its patent-pending Pluto technology for crystalline
silicon solar cells, which improves power output by up to 12% compared to
conventional production methods, its Reliathon(TM) module and platform, the
industry's first fully integrated utility-scale solar platform, and its broad
range of building-integrated solar products.
Suntech designs and delivers residential, commercial and utility-scale
solar power systems in China and the United States. With regional headquarters
in China, Switzerland and San Francisco and sales offices worldwide, Suntech
is passionate about improving the environment we live in and dedicated to
developing advanced solar solutions that enable sustainable development. For
more information, please visit http://www.suntech-power.com .
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements
constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can
be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates,"
"future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements,
and includes the timing of the opening of Suntech's Goodyear, Arizona
manufacturing plant; the number of expected employees at time of opening of
the plant; forecasted production output, and growth of manufacturing capacity.
Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking
statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in
Suntech's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including
its annual report on Form 20-F. Suntech does not undertake any obligation to
update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.
For more information, please contact:
Media Contacts:
In the United States:
Sarahjane Sacchetti
Story Labs for Suntech America
Tel: +1-415-268-8881
Email: ssacchetti@suntechamerica.com
In China:
Rory Macpherson
Investor Relations Director
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86-21-6288-5574
Email: rory@suntech-power.com
SOURCE Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
