Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. announced 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 said to be the largest in the world.
"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™ 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."
