SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest producer of solar panels, has been included in the 2012 TR50, Technology Review's annual list of the world's 50 most innovative technology companies, for its success in developing and commercializing advanced solar technology.
TR50 members are nominated by Technology Review's editors, who look for companies that over the last year have demonstrated original and valuable technology, are bringing that technology to market at a significant scale, and are clearly influencing their competitors.
"Suntech shows why mastering manufacturing is crucial in getting energy technologies to scale," said Jason Pontin, Editor in Chief and Publisher of Technology Review. "It is driving down the cost of solar cells and improving their efficiency."
Since inception, Suntech has steadily increased the conversion efficiencies of its commercial solar cells from about 14% in 2001 to over 20% today, all while reducing the costs of production. These developments have helped to drive down the global market price of solar panels from about US$6 per watt in 2001 to roughly US$1 per watt today.
"We're honored to be recognized by MIT Technology Review as one of the world's most innovative companies," said Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "Due to incremental innovation and economies of scale, the best photovoltaic technologies are now competing in the mainstream against traditional sources of power generation. Suntech will continue to invest heavily in advanced photovoltaic research, and, more importantly, in bringing that technology to the market. All of our efforts are focused on one thing: making solar electricity affordable for everyone, everywhere."
Two Suntech innovations that achieved large-scale production in 2011 are its Pluto cell processing technology and its SuperPoly silicon processing technology.
- Suntech's Pluto' cell processing technology, developed in collaboration with the University of New South Wales, features a proprietary front surface metallization process that creates grid contacts thinner than 30 microns wide, about a quarter the size of traditional screen-printed cells. These ultra-thin metal lines - made primarily of copper instead of silver - reduce shading on the cell surface, allowing the cells to absorb more sunlight and generate more electricity.
- Suntech's SuperPoly technology utilizes advanced silicon ingot casting techniques commercialized internally along with the expansion of Suntech's internal silicon wafer production capacity. Suntech's innovations help produce high-quality multicrystalline wafers using modified multicrystalline casting equipment. The technology achieves lower oxygen content for multicrystalline wafers leading to strong resistance to light-induced degradation and ultimately allows for the production of higher output solar panels at a lower cost.
Suntech's recognition by Technology Review commemorates a successful start to 2012 for the company, as Fast Company recently named Suntech one of the top 50 most innovative companies; and EuPD awarded Suntech the 'Top Brand PV' seal, a well-respected award worldwide. Recently, a team of researchers from Swinburne University of Technology and Suntech developed the world's most efficient broadband nanoplasmonic solar cells. In December 2011, PV Tech awarded Suntech's crystalline silicon solar panel as the most innovative solar product of 2011.
To learn more about Suntech's efforts in pursuing innovation excellence, please visit the Suntech Connect blog or follow us on twitter @Suntech_Connect for regular updates.
About Suntech
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP) produces industry-leading solar products for residential, commercial, industrial, and utility applications. With regional headquarters in China, Switzerland, and the United States, and gigawatt-scale manufacturing worldwide, Suntech has delivered more than 20,000,000 photovoltaic panels to over a thousand customers in more than 80 countries. Suntech's pioneering R&D creates customer-centric innovations that are driving solar to grid parity against fossil fuels. Suntech's mission is to provide everyone with reliable access to nature's cleanest and most abundant energy source.
For more information about Suntech's people and products visit: http://www.suntech-power.com
About Technology Review
Technology Review is an independent media company owned by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. More than three million people around the globe read our publications, in five languages and on a variety of digital and print platforms. We publish Technology Review magazine, the world's oldest technology magazine (established 1899); daily news, analysis, opinion, and video on www.technologyreview.com and several mobile apps; Business Impact, which explains how new technologies are transforming companies, disrupting markets, or creating entirely new industries; and live events including the annual Emtech MIT conference. Technology Review also owns the MIT Enterprise Forum, a community and events organization that fosters technology entrepreneurship with 28 chapters worldwide.
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 increased the conversion efficiencies of its commercial solar cells from about 14% in 2001 to over 20% today, all while reducing the costs of production; and Suntech helping to drive down the global market price of solar panels from about US$6 per watt in 2001 to roughly US$1 per watt today. 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.
SOURCE Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
