It’s been a big 24 hours for Chinese solar panel maker Suntech.
The company announced yesterday its first U.S. manufacturing plant for solar panel production would be located in the Greater Phoenix, Arizona area.
The plant will have an initial production capacity of 30 megawatts and is expected to see panels rolling off the lines in the third quarter of 2010. The plant will employ over 75 full-time employees at launch and may double its staff within the first 12 months.
Locating the plant within US borders will reduce the time, costs, and emissions associated with long-distance shipping of Suntech panels and take advantage of a "buy local" push in the USA.
Suntech’s decision to open a plant in the US was also as a result of solar-friendly government policies. According to Suntech’s Chairman and CEO Dr.
The plant will be approximately 7,400 – 9,200 square metres and will allow for long-term growth of manufacturing capabilities to meet increasing American demand for solar power.
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Suntech also announced yesterday that it expects to develop approximately 20% of the 91MW of solar projects that were approved under China’s Solar Rooftop Program. The Solar Rooftop Program has a special focus on technologically advanced, building-integrated solar systems (BIPV). Suntech has extensive experience in the BIPV area and their new Green Energy Headquarters in Wuxi incorporates a 1MW BIPV solar facade and rooftop system.
