SAN FRANCISCO and MUNICH, Germany, May 7 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. , one of the world's leading manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules, today announced it has signed an agreement with Hanau Energies SAS to supply a 4.5MW building integrated PV system (BIPV) to a farm located in Alsace, France.
The project will be one of the largest BIPV installations ever built and will employ Suntech's 'Just Roof' modules to form complete weatherproof roofs on five agricultural warehouses on a farm in the Alsace region of France. The 4.5MW installation is anticipated to be completed by January 2009 with an additional 1MW already being planned.
The 'Just Roof' system was initially released in 1994 and has already been installed on more than 4,000 homes and commercial buildings worldwide. It features interlocking panels mounted on specially designed rails to give a highly aesthetic, weatherproof building skin that can be installed quickly and easily.
Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Chairman and CEO, stated, 'This project is a very significant milestone in the development of the French solar market and for BIPV in particular. We are extremely pleased that Suntech's market leading 'Just Roof' system has been selected. We are experiencing great demand for our high quality MSK Solar Design Line(TM) of BIPV products all around the world as architects, homeowners and commercial end-users increasingly recognize the aesthetic and power generation benefits of integrating solar into buildings.'
Mr. Westphal, Hanau Energies Chairman, stated, 'I am delighted to be working with Suntech on this 4.5MW BIPV project. We examined many possible solutions and decided that Suntech's 'Just Roof' system was the best BIPV solution available from both a technical and commercial perspective. We are looking forward to working closely with Suntech on this and future projects.'
With a progressive solar policy, demand for solar products in France is growing rapidly and, due to enhanced incentives for BIPV, French demand for integrated solar systems is particularly healthy. Suntech has one of the industry's broadest solar product portfolios and, as a result of its acquisition of Japan's MSK in 2006, also has an impressive range of BIPV products and solutions. Suntech has collaborations with several companies to jointly develop BIPV products and plans to continue to expand partnerships in this area.
About Hanau Energies SAS
Hanau Energies SAS was founded in 2006 by Chairman Jean-Luc Westphal. Hanau Energies initially focused on electrical and thermal power generation using plant biomass technology and now intends to develop projects utilizing photovoltaic systems in France.
About Suntech
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. is a world leading solar energy company as measured by both production output and capacity of solar cells and modules. Suntech is passionate about improving the environment we live in and dedicated to developing advanced solar solutions that enable sustainable development. Suntech designs, develops, manufactures, and markets a variety of high quality, cost effective and environmentally friendly solar products for electric power applications in the residential, commercial, industrial, and public utility sectors. Suntech offers one of the broadest ranges of building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products under the MSK Solar Design Line(TM). Suntech has sales offices worldwide and is a market share leader in key global solar markets. 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 Suntech's ability to supply the 4.5MW BIPV system, the anticipated completion date of the installation, the potential of an additional 1MW BIPV system, and the weatherproof characteristics of the 'Just Roof' system. 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:
In Europe:
Jerry Stokes
President
Suntech Europe
Tel: +44-208-582-0393
Email:
