Renewable Energy in China: Solar Energy, Wind Energy and other green energy

ReneSola gets gov't OK for rooftop solar plan

2009-05-15T09:47:00.000+08:00

Associated Press, 05.13.09

Chinese solar wafer maker ReneSola Ltd. said Wednesday it has received government approval to build a solar rooftop project in China's Zhejiang province.

The five megawatt building integrated photovoltaic rooftop project has a total planned area of 80,400 square meters on several government buildings in the province. It is subject to final approval by two government organizations.

The project will cost about $23.4 million and will be partially funded through a government subsidy.

China's Suntech to set up U.S. factory

2009-05-15T09:32:00.000+08:00

Mon May 11, 2009

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Chinese solar panel maker Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd on Monday said it plans to establish a manufacturing facility in the United States, though it has yet to choose a location.

The company said it is exploring opportunities in several states as it seeks to expand its presence in the U.S. solar market. It plans to make a decision on the location in the next six months.

Suntech Chief Executive Zhenrong Shi said in a statement that strong growth in solar demand from U.S. utilities and federal incentives for solar power had helped lead to the company's decision to set up a U.S. production plant.

With Monday's announcement, Suntech joins a growing list of overseas renewable energy companies who are setting up production plants in the United States.

Suntech Announces Additional Repurchase of $150.4 Million 2012 Convertible Senior Notes

2009-05-15T08:59:00.000+08:00

SAN FRANCISCO and WUXI, China, May 8, 2009 /PRNewswire-Asia via COMTEX/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., the world's largest manufacturer of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules, today announced that in the first quarter of 2009, Suntech re-purchased $150.4 million aggregate principal amount of its 0.25% convertible senior notes due 2012 for a total cash consideration of $129.9 million. As of May 8, 2009, Suntech had $255.8 million principal amount of its 2012 convertible senior notes outstanding.

Suntech may from time to time seek to make additional repurchases of its convertible senior notes. Such repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements and other factors.

Suntech Joins Solar Panel Recycling Program

2009-05-08T15:26:00.000+08:00

While the serviceable life of most solar panels is at least a couple of decades and some solar panel installations commissioned in the 1970's are still functioning today; at some stage in the time ahead a flood of panels will need to be disposed of - and preferably recycled.

Solar panels are essentially simple devices containing materials such as silicon, glass, aluminium and semiconductor materials that are all recyclable. Only a very small percentage of a solar panel's weight need ever be totally discarded. Recycling of solar panels is not only technically and economically feasible, but it could greatly decrease the overall ecological footprint associated with production

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (stock: STP) the world's largest manufacturer of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules, announced recently that the company has joined PV Cycle; a European association establishing a voluntary take-back and recycling program for solar panels. Suntech said that with 1GW of Suntech solar panels sold since its inception, the company believes it is essential that Suntech take a proactive role in developing effective recycling programs.

Through PV Cycle, the solar panel industry aims to develop overall waste management and recycling policy that achieves the highest economically feasible and environmentally responsible collection and recycling of PV modules. PV Cycle now covers around 80% of the European photovoltaic market with its 35 member companies spread around the world.

While PV Cycle is only covering the European market at present and no similar organisation yet exists in Australia, PV Cycle's efforts will certainly lay the groundwork that other regions will be able to follow.

China SDIC Huajing plans $293 mln solar project

2009-05-08T15:13:00.001+08:00

SHANGHAI, May 7 (Reuters) - China SDIC Huajing Power Holdings Co (600886.SS) said on Thursday it plans to build a solar power station with a capacity of 200 megawatts and an initial investment of 2 billion yuan ($293.2 million).

The first phase of the the project, to be located in the western province of Qinghai, would have a capacity of 100 megawatt, the company said in a filing to the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

The company, a unit of the State Development and Investment Corp, said the plan would need approval from state authorities.

Beijing is expected to increase the target for solar power for 2020 at least fourfold, as part of a stimulus plan for the renewable energy industry.

Trina Solar Expands European Sales and Marketing Team

2009-05-08T14:19:00.000+08:00

CHANGZHOU, China, May 6 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) ("Trina Solar" or the "Company"), a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules, today announced that the Company has expanded its European sales and marketing team.

Due to the continued development of its business initiatives in Europe and the growing demand for Trina Solar's quality products in over 18 countries, the Company has expanded its Sales and Marketing team to better serve the established markets of Germany, Italy, France, and Spain, as well as the emerging markets such as the Czech Republic, Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, and Greece. The Company is pleased to announce two new appointments, who joined the Company's strong sales team in April 2009.

Ben Hill, formerly at BP Solar, has joined Trina Solar as Director of Sales & Marketing for Europe. Mr. Hill is a well-known and respected industry leader with over 23 years of experience in the photovoltaic industry. Prior to joining Trina Solar, he spent over 10 years at BP Solar, serving in both Germany and Spain and in various senior positions including Sales & Marketing Director for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and most recently, as a Regional Director for Europe. Prior to BP Solar, he served as a Division Manager for Battery Control, DC Lighting and Solar at Sollatek Ltd. Mr. Hill will manage Trina Solar's operations in Europe and will refine and implement the Company's ambitious regional growth plans.

Daniel Priem has joined Trina Solar as Central European Manager. Mr. Priem has over 10 years of experience in solar and other renewable energies. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Priem spent over seven years at SunTechnics, a Conergy Group company, as a sales representative for Central Europe, manager of SunTechnics (Sydney), sales head for Southeast Asia and Australia, and finally as Conergy Group's commercial manager for Southern Europe. Mr. Priem also served as the business development manager for Innovative Windpower AG.

"We view Europe as an essential market region that includes key markets under current development," said Arturo Herrero, Trina Solar's Vice President of Sales & Marketing, who oversees Trina Solar's global sales and marketing. "We are delighted to strengthen our sales and marketing team with such talented and experienced personnel who bring years of regional and global knowledge and experience from well-known PV solar companies to our business."

China to have 100 GW wind power capacity by 2020

2009-05-08T13:34:00.001+08:00

Beijing, May 4 (Xinhua) - China plans to finish 100 gigawatts of wind power capacity and expand its renewable energy consumption to 40 per cent of the energy market by 2050.

The goal for wind power capacity was more than three times of the 30 gigawatts target that the government set 18 months ago, Monday's China Daily reported.

China will also become the biggest growth market for wind power generating capacity this year, ahead of the United States, said the report, citing a forecast from the Global Wind Energy Council(GWEC).

As the world's second largest energy consumer, China has around 12 gigawatts of wind power capacity and has said it wants to raise that to around 20 gigawatts by next year.

The plan means wind will be a bigger source of renewable energy than nuclear, despite a construction boom in nuclear power plants, and also far bigger than solar, which is expected to hit 1.8 gigawatts, according to a 2007 plan.

The annual growth rate in China's wind power will be around 20 per cent, said Fang Junshi, head of the coal department of the National Energy Administration.

China is currently the fourth largest wind power producer in the world after the United States, Germany and Spain.

The World Wind Energy Report 2008 had predicted that Asia, under China's lead, will "become the worldwide locomotive for the wind industry" and "Chinese wind turbine manufacturers will be among the top international suppliers".

CSI Reaches Funding Deal with City of Suzhou; Signs 5-MW Contract with Topinfrasolar

2009-05-08T13:31:00.002+08:00

Toronto, Canada [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]

Canadian Solar Inc. announced that it has signed an agreement with the Suzhou New District, Suzhou municipal government to fund local solar projects. The Suzhou New District government has agreed to provide US $1.09 million in matching funds in conjunction with the subsidies provided by China's Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Constructions for building PV installations.

"These funds will be used to capitalize commercial rooftop and BIPV projects in the region of the municipality."

-- Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO, Canadian Solar

These monies will be used to exclusively support solar projects undertaken by Canadian Solar in Suzhou New District. Other sources of project debt or equity will be arranged by the company or by the project owners.

"Canadian Solar is proud to announce, in cooperation with the Suzhou New District, that we are the first to jointly develop a municipal PV program using the renewable energy stimulus funds in China. These funds will be used to capitalize commercial rooftop and BIPV projects in the region of the municipality,” said Dr. Shawn Qu, chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar.

In related news, CSI has also announced that it has signed a new sales agreement with Topinfrasolar, a Korean systems integrator, which will expand the relationship and supply agreement by an additional 5 megawatts (MW).
sola
The contracted deliveries may include both regular and e-Modules and stipulates deliveries for Korean installations in 2009. CSI and Topinfrasolar have had a successful business relationship since the beginning of 2009 that has already resulted in the successful delivery to five projects of approximately 3 MW in total.

"We are also very pleased to work with Canadian Solar, one of the world class suppliers of solar photovoltaic panels. We have so far implemented several solar farm projects in Korea using Canadian Solar modules and we are impressed by their consistently superior module quality. With this new contract, we look forward to continuing our relationship with Canadian Solar and to offering long-term reliable returns to our solar farm investors," said Hyung Seok Oh, CEO of Topinfrasolar.

Evergreen Solar shifts manufacturing future to China, targets US$1/W in 2012

2009-05-04T20:53:00.002+08:00

01 May 2009 | By Mark Osborne

String Ribbon solar cell manufacturer Evergreen Solar is planning future expansions in China, with the aim of reaching a manufacturing cost of US$1 per watt by the end of 2012. The aggressive goal is in tandem with ramping a new plant in China to 500MW in that time frame. This is being planned with another PV manufacturer, Jiawei Solar (Wuhan) Co., and the Wuhan Donghu New Technology Development Zone Management Committee, part of the Wuhan provincial government in Wuhan, China.

Rather than a joint venture, Jiawei will process String Ribbon wafers into Evergreen Solar-branded panels on a subcontract basis as part of a frame agreement. The structure of the agreement will see Evergreen Solar reimburse Jiawei for its cell and panel production costs, plus subcontractor commission fee. The price paid to Jiawei is to be negotiated on an annual basis.

Interestingly, Terry Bailey, Evergreen Solar’s sales and marketing VP, while answering a question from a financial analyst during the company's first-quarter conference call, conceded that legal restrictions had been in place with Q-Cells and other partners in String Ribbon licensee Sovello over a joint venture agreement.

“We are starting our own factory in China, and we are using a subcontractor in China. So, the minor prohibition that existed under our Sovello agreement does not exist here,” said Bailey.

Apparently, Q-Cells would have had first refusal to partner with Evergreen in such a joint venture, under a 30-day response mechanism.

The Wuhan government is expected to guarantee the financing required from banks and other potential lending agencies in China as well as provide yet-to-be-revealed incentives for locating the operation in the province.

“With the support of the Wuhan Management Committee, we will seek financing for about two-thirds of the total cost, reducing our portion of initial capital required to between US$15 million and US$20 million,” noted Richard M. Feldt, chairman/CEO/president of Evergreen Solar, during the conference call. “So, put another way, we'll effectively expand our wafer cell and panel capacity by 100MW for between US$15 million and US$20 million of incremental cash.”

Jiawei Solar moved into its newly expanded 60,000 sq-metre complex in August 2008, with the plant having a module capacity of 35MW and two cell lines of 25MW capacity. Plans had been to increase capacity to 245MW under its third phase of expansion, requiring more construction.

Initial capacity for the Evergreen String Ribbon plant is expected to be approximately 100MW and reach about 500MW by 2012. However, the timing and scale of the planned expansions will be finalised in 2010. Final contractual agreements were close to being signed, though a minor delay within the Wuhan government was noted by Feldt. Evergreen Solar expects all the necessary arrangements, including finance, to be sorted in the next 90 days.

However, sealing the deal may be a minor glitch, since financing the new plant while maintaining liquidity for its other operations over the coming quarters could become more difficult.

By any measure, Evergreen Solar has had a challenging first quarter. Aside from the legal proceedings ongoing with the collapse of Lehmann Brothers bank, Evergreen declared a non-cash charge of US$43.9 million against a deposit given to a polysilicon start-up in France, Silicium de Provence, which went into voluntary bankruptcy in early April. Other charges generated a cash burn-rate of nearly US$100 million in the quarter.

With the required short-term up-front investment needed for the China project, Evergreen Solar is planning to raise an additional US$100 million for operations and near-term liquidity flexibility in the next few months.

It was quite clear from the conference call that its new Devens production site would continue to ramp to full capacity and become the key facility to meet U.S, market demand, where applicable. That turned out to mean that price sensitivity was not an issue, particularly domestic rooftop-type installations.

However, for larger-scale industrial/commercial and utility scale projects in the future, Evergreen Solar expects to be able to leverage the lower base production costs from China to meet and competitively compete for that business, especially against thin-film technologies.

It seems that Evergreen Solar is directing its future success and growth from Wuhan, since that location will become its lowest cost manufacturing base, and in a very short time.

Sunny Hill Energy signs 55MW two-year module deal with Ningbo Solar Electric

2009-05-04T20:41:00.002+08:00

01 May 2009

By Mark Osborne

Sunny Hill Energy, a U.S. solar financing and business support company, has signed a 55MW two-year module deal with Ningbo Solar Electric, China. Sunny Hill said that it had an estimated project pipeline of 50MW over the coming 12 months for residential and PPA-based markets.

"We're excited to have found the ideal solar panel solution for our residential and investment-grade projects," said Dorian Maras, CSO for Sunny Hill Energy. "NBSolar’s large European presence and 40-year history in solar technology manufacturing won us over. Additionally, we found great synergy between NBSolar's desire to enter the US market and our ability to develop it."

Ningbo Solar Electric produces monocrystalline-based modules.

Spanish firm to set up Si metal plant in Sichuan

2009-05-04T20:39:00.000+08:00

Friday, 01 May 2009

It is reported that Grupo Villar Mir has signed an agreement with Sichuan Kangding Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture government on April 29th that Grupo Villar Mir's subsidiary Ferroatlantica Company will totally invest EUR 820 million to build the global largest silicon metal plant in Kangding Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, a southwest province in China.

Mr Juan Miguel Villar Mir president of Grupo Villar Mir said the plant will start construction in this September and finish in 2013. It will churn out 100,000 tonnes of chemical grade silicon metal and 50,000 tonnes of Solar Grade Silicon every year when it is on stream.

Mr Juan Miguel Villar Mir added that this new plant is designed with the most advanced technology, and all the solid, liquid and gaseous products will be transported by seal pipe, so the plant will not pollute atmosphere and environment.

Ferroatlantica Company is the largest silicon metal producer in the world.

Solar EnerTech Establishes Joint Venture With Jiangsu Shunda Semiconductor Development Co. Ltd.

2009-04-28T22:59:00.002+08:00

- JV Enhances Presence and Solar Opportunities in U.S. Market -

MENLO PARK, Calif., April 28 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Solar EnerTech Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: SOEN) (the "Company") today announced the establishment of a joint venture with Jiangsu Shunda Semiconductor Development Co. Ltd. ("Jiangsu Shunda"), a leading PV raw material manufacturer, to pursue solar expansion opportunities in the U.S. region.

Jiangsu Shunda is one of the largest polysilicon and wafer manufacturers in China, with an annual production output of approximately 1,500 metric tons of polysilicon.

The U.S. JV company, which will be called Shunda-SolarE Technologies, Inc., is expected to begin operating in early May of 2009. The joint venture is expected to utilize Jiangsu Shunda's strength in polysilicon and wafer supply and Solar EnerTech's advanced solar cell technologies as well as its resources in the U.S. market. Overall, both parties believe the joint venture establishes a vertically integrated operation in the U.S. market with services ranging from the production of polysilicon to ingots and wafers, to solar cells, panels and solar system installation.

Jiangsu Shunda and Solar EnerTech contributed $1.0 million and $0.7 million in cash respectively to the initial setup cost of the JV. Jiangsu Shunda will own 55% of the JV company, Solar EnerTech will own 35% and the management of the JV will own the remaining 10%. Mr. Yunda Ni, President of Jiangsu Shunda will serve as the JV Chairman of the Board, Mr. Leo Young, CEO of Solar EnerTech will serve as the Board's Vice Chairman. The Board of Directors will be comprised of five seats, three of which will be reserved for Jiangsu Shunda and two for Solar EnerTech. A Chief Executive Officer of Shunda-SolarE Technologies is expected to be identified in the near future.

Mr. Leo Young, CEO of Solar EnerTech, commented, "We are extremely pleased to establish this joint venture with Jiangsu Shunda, a highly successful polysilicon manufacturer in China. We have a compelling opportunity to penetrate the U.S. market with the establishment of this JV. Solar EnerTech has strong R&D capabilities supported by an outstanding technical team, and a fully operational U.S. office governed by experienced management whereas Jiangsu Shunda maintains a UL listing, which is instrumental in conducting large scale operations in the U.S. market, and controls the upstream supply which can provide large volumes of silicon feedstock to the JV in order to secure sizeable contract orders in the growing U.S. market. Together, we can more easily penetrate U.S. solar opportunities and establish Shunda-SolarE as a leading brand recognized for high quality solar products and service. We plan on providing investors with additional information on this JV in the coming weeks and months ahead."

Mr. Ni, President of Jiangsu Shunda commented, "The goal of this joint venture is to build market share in the U.S. and maximize profitability. There is great synergy between both companies as well as with myself and Leo. Together, we believe we have an excellent opportunity to expand our market presence in the U.S. We look forward to a successful venture together."

Additional information on this joint venture can be found in the Company's filing with the SEC.

About Jiangsu Shunda

Based in Yangzhou, China, JiangSu Shunda Group focuses on the photovoltaic market and produces polysilicon, monocrystalline ingots, and wafers. With an annual production output of approximately 1,500 metric tons of polysilicon, Jiangsu Shunda Semiconductor is one of the largest polysilicon and wafer manufacturers in China.

About Solar EnerTech Corp.

Solar EnerTech is a photovoltaic ("PV") solar energy cell manufacturing enterprise incorporated in the United States with its corporate office in Menlo Park, California. The Company has established a sophisticated 63,000 square foot manufacturing plant located in China, in Shanghai's Jinqiao Modern Technology Park. Currently, the Company is capable of producing 50MW of solar cells from its existing production line.

Solar EnerTech has also established a Joint R&D Lab at Shanghai University to develop higher efficiency cells and to put the results of that research to use in its manufacturing processes. Led by one of the industry's top scientists, the Company expects its R&D program to help bring Solar EnerTech to the forefront of advanced solar technology research and production.

Chint Solar Raises $50 Million

2009-04-28T22:21:00.002+08:00

Chint Solar, a Chinese solar power producer, has raised $50 million in venture capital funding co-led by Cybernaut and Shanghai Alliance Investment Ltd. Chint Solar was formed in 2006 as a subsidiary of Chinese electrical and power conglomerate Chint Group. It reached 100 MW of production capacity in July 2008, and expects to reach 1,100 MW production capacity by 2012.

PRESS RELEASE

Chint Solar announced that it has successfully closed a US$50 million round of fundraising - in the worst global financial conditions in decades - from a syndicate of global investors.

Cybernaut and Shanghai Alliance Investment Limited were lead investors in this round. A number of notable overseas and domestic funds formed the rest of the syndicate.

Founded in 2006 as a subsidiary of the Chint Group, China's leading electrical and power conglomerate, Chint Solar reached 100 MW of production capacity in July 2008, and is on track to increase exponentially to 1,100 MW production capacity by 2012.

Chint Solar's main product line features both thin film and crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules. The company has made an aggressive push to focus its business on amorphous microcrystalline (a-Si/µc-Si) tandem junction thin film, a next-generation solar technology with dramatically lower costs-per-watt than conventional crystalline silicon.

Through a-Si/µc-Si thin film, Chint Solar expects to be among the first companies in the world to reduce PV module cost to below US$1 per watt, and total PV system cost to below US$2 per watt, a critical industry benchmark known as "grid parity".

"The successful closure of this round of fundraising under unprecedented and turbulent financial conditions that witnessed the near-total shutdown of global capital markets is a testament to the superiority of Chint Solar's technology, the viability of Chint Solar's business strategy, and the strength of Chint Solar's team," said Dr. Liyou Yang, CEO of Chint Solar.

"We are very pleased to lead this effort," said Min Zhu, founder and Managing Partner of Cybernaut. "Chint Solar's technical strengths are well-known, and its partnership with Chint Group, China's leading electrical manufacturer, makes it the only photovoltaic company in the world that can achieve a complete systems-level integration. I am confident that, as a result, Chint Solar's products will be among the highest in reliability and lowest in cost in the industry, and Chint Solar will rapidly become one of the world's leading photovoltaic solutions providers."

Cybernaut is a leading global venture capital firm based in Hangzhou, China. Founded in 2005 by Mr. Min Zhu, the co-founder and former President and CTO of WebEx Communications, which was acquired by Cisco Systems in 2007 for US$3.2 billion, Cybernaut has an outstanding track record and has won numerous accolades including the Forbes 2008 China's Most Influential VC.

Shanghai Alliance Investment Limited (SAIL) is a leading domestic investment company and designated asset manager for China's State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) in the areas of high-tech and financial services.

Taiwan BIPV maker Kinmac Solar sets up PV module joint venture in China

2009-04-28T13:24:00.000+08:00

Nuying Huang, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES [Tuesday 28 April 2009]

Kinmac Solar (renamed from Lucky Power Technology), a Taiwan-based maker of BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaic) modules, has decided to establish a joint-venture assembly plant for making PV modules with Jinzhou Yangguang Energy, a maker of solar-grade monocrystalline silicon ingots/wafers in northeastern China.

Kinmac said the joint venture will have initial capital of 90 million yuan (US$13.2 million). Kinmac said it will hold a 49% stake in the joint venture, and Jinzhou Yangguang the rest.

The joint venture will set up an initial annual PV module production capacity of 100MWp in 2009 and then add 100-300MWp annually over the next three years, Kinmac said.

Kinmac said it also plans to expand it BIPV module capacity in northern Taiwan in July 2009 from 30MWp currently to 60MWp.

China Seeing Drop in Manufacturing Cost of Crystalline Si Solar Cell Module

2009-04-26T21:34:00.001+08:00

Apr 24, 2009 19:01
Motonobu Kawai, Nikkei Microdevices

"The spot price of silicon materials in China will drop to US$50/kg within 2009," said Dylen Liu of JL McGregor & Company, a research firm in China.

He delivered a speech on the Chinese solar cell industry at Solar Cell Market Seminar 2009 hosted by Nikkei Market Access with help from Nikkei Microdevices in Japan.

In his speech, Liu introduced recent drops in the spot price of polycrystalline silicon materials in China. The price was more than US$350/kg until October 2008 but dropped by half in November 2008, being hit by the financial crisis and other issues. And it continued to fall to less than US$80/kg in April 2009.

Liu forecast that the spot price will further decline to US$50/kg within 2009. And he calculated the manufacturing cost of a crystalline silicon solar cell module when the price of polycrystalline silicon materials is US$50/kg. The cost will be US$1.1 to 1.2/W at vertically integrated solar cell manufacturers in China, he said.

On the other hand, the manufacturing cost of a thin-film silicon solar cell module will be US$1 to 2 per watt at average Chinese solar cell manufacturers, Liu said. The manufacturing costs of the two types of solar cell modules are getting closer to each other due to the decreasing polycrystalline silicon material price.

At First Solar Inc, a US solar cell manufacturer that is a leader in cost reduction, the manufacturing cost of the CdTe type solar cell module was US$0.98/W as of the fourth quarter of 2008.

JA Solar starts construction of new integrated solar cell plant

2009-04-26T21:31:00.000+08:00

22 April 2009

JA Solar Holdings has broken ground on its Phase II, ingot, cell and module facility in Yangzhou, China. According to Chinese news reports, the production plant will cost approximately US$100 million and be completed by the end of 2009. The reports suggested the new plant would increase JA Solar’s production capacity by 300MW.

The new expansion project would seem to be inline with JA Solar’s planned capacity of 875MW by the end of 2009, up from 600MW in 2008. JA Solar claims a solar cell production line costs US$10 million, suggesting approximately 6-8 lines could be added.

Canadian Solar to provide 5 MW modules to Helio Micro Utility

2009-04-11T23:35:00.001+08:00

BEIJING, Apr 09, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- ZZFNV | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- China-based vertically integrated solar product maker Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ.Nasdaq) announced that that it has entered into an sales agreement to supply Helio Micro Utility with five MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.
The purchase agreement includes the full line of PV modules by Canadian Solar with power rating ranging from 0.03 Watt to 300 Watt.

Canadian Solar provides 25 years of performance warranty meeting international standards of quality and safety.

This sales agreement will speed up the sales initiatives of Canadian Solar in the United States this year, according to Shawn Qu, president and CEO of Canadian Solar.

Earlier, Canadian Solar said that it has been selected to supply 80,000 solar home systems for rural households in China's Sichuan Province with a total capacity of 1.6 MW.

China's Jiangsu to detail solar PV power subsidy policy

2009-04-11T23:23:00.000+08:00

BEIJING, Apr 09, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- ZZFNV | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Jiangsu Province in East China is drawing up specific provisions for the implementation of national subsidy policy for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects, said Wei Qidong, secretary-general of Energy Research Association of Jiangsu Province.

This is seemed as an encouraging action to materialize China's newly issued subsidy policy on solar PV power projects, which provides 20 yuan for each watt-peak of installed solar PV power capacity.

The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development jointly released China's version of solar roof program earlier.

The subsidy policy is aimed to build a number of demonstrative solar PV projects, mainly solar PV roof projects and PV curtains in large and midsize cities as well as off-grid solar PV power stations in rural and remote areas.

Still, industry insiders have expressed their concern on the available amount of subsidy each year given the lack of exact number of subsidy to be provided.

Wang Sicheng, an expert with solar PV industry, said that the government has to provide at least 10 billion yuan of subsidy for 500 MW of China-made solar products each year, accounting for 25 percent of national overall output in 2008.

It's hard to evaluate the impact of solar PV roof program on solar PV industry when the total subsidy amount number isn't available.

Wei said that solar product manufacturers are unlikely to enjoy subsidy on solar PV power projects and on solar PV electricity for the same time.

Overshadowing concerns on China's solar PV industry also include the sustainability of subsidy policy and possible over-crowded investment and speculation spurred by the subsidy policy.

Yangzhou Applies to Build 50MW Solar Stations

2009-04-11T23:18:00.000+08:00

Yangzhou, Jiangsu province has applied to establish several demonstration solar stations with total production capacity of 50MW, reports yangzhou.gov.cn. The city has finished construction of the first 50KW phase of a separate 100KW station, said the report.

Q-Cells, LDK Solar Form Joint Venture

2009-04-11T22:37:00.001+08:00

Ucilia Wang

April 8, 2009 at 12:06 PM

Q-Cells and LDK Solar said they are forming a joint venture to develop large-scale power plants to buyers in Europe and China.

LDK Solar has been supplying silicon wafers to Q-Cells, which turns those wafers into solar cells and sell them to panel makers. Q-Cells said the joint venture would enable both companies to work more closely together and offer better deals to customers. The joint venture, LQ Energy, would contract with panel makers to produce the panels for the power plant projects.

Both companies also figured that they could take advantage of each other’s marketing know-how in their home territories. LDK is based in China while Q-Cells is Germany. The companies said they have started their first, 40-megawatt project in Europe, and are shopping for a buyer.

Both companies have been hit by the economic downturn. Q-Cells has cut sales forecast for 2009 twice since December. LDK has delayed a factory expansion plan and has had to deal with customers who can’t pay as promised.

LDK’s shares on the New York Stock Exchange rose 4 percent in recent trading to reach $7.06 per share.

China PV plant set to open this year

2009-04-11T22:27:00.001+08:00

[ 07 Apr 2009, Rob Cockerill, gasworld.com ]

Construction of China's largest photovoltaic (PV) power plant is scheduled to begin this year in Qinghai Province, an employee with one of the plant's investors is believed to have revealed recently.

According to a report by Semiconductor.net, the individual indicated that Qinghai New Energy Group Co. Ltd. plans to build a 30 megawatt (MW) solar array as the first phase of a 1 gigawatt (GW) project in the province's Qaidam Basin.

Qinghai New Energy Group and China Technology Development Group Corp. will reportedly invest approx. $146.20m in the first phase, which will be built with both thin-film solar cells and polysilicon solar cells.

Trina sees PV market to grow sharply

2009-04-11T22:25:00.001+08:00

By Fu Chenghao | 2009-4-7 |

TRINA Solar Ltd, a leading solar product maker, expects China to account for 10 percent of the global photovoltaic market in three years to five years from less than 1 percent now as the government boosts support for the alternative energy.

"It's possible if we say, by 2012, China's installed solar PV capacity could reach 2.5 gigawatts while it would be 25GW for the world," Gao Jifan, Trina's chairman and CEO, said.

Although China is the world's top PV manufacturer, the domestic solar PV market has suffered from high costs and limited subsidies.

The Ministry of Finance said late last month that China would provide a subsidy of 20 yuan (US$2.93) per watt for solar projects that have a capacity of at least 50 kilowatts and attached to buildings, covering nearly half the cost.

Gao said the subsidy is a "precursor" of a long-term state support, although some analysts said the latest subsidy was limited to roof-top solar panels and not for large-scale solar projects.

New York-listed Trina, which is based in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, expects to sell 10 megawatts in China this year out of a planned total shipment of up to 400MW of solar modules, Gao said.

In 2008, the domestic market accounted for only a bit more than 1 percent of its shipment of 201MW.

The United States market could account for 15 percent of Trina's sales this year, up from less than 5 percent in 2008, thanks to the Obama administration's backing of renewable energy sources, he said.

Trina is not in a hurry to acquire assets but is looking at opportunities, according to Gao who said Europe would remain a top market.

Canadian Solar Wins a Bid to a Rural Electrification Project in China

2009-04-11T13:33:00.000+08:00

TORONTO, April 6 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Canadian Solar Inc. ("the Company", "Canadian Solar" or "we") (Nasdaq: CSIQ) today announced that we were recently selected in a competitive bidding process to supply solar panels for 80,000 solar home systems for rural households in Sichuan province of China. The total order size is 1.6 MW. This project was initiated and financed by China's Ministry of Agriculture and the Sichuan Provincial Government. The solar home systems are rated for a peak capacity of 20 Watts each. A system of this size can power two lights and a small TV. The delivery of the 80,000 units will be completed by April.

Dr. Shawn Qu, President and CEO of Canadian Solar said, "We were very pleased to win this bid. A solar home system makes a real impact on the lives of these rural households. In many cases it will be the first electrical power source these rural families have ever had. We are very proud to be part of this project. Canadian Solar has a business division devoted to the designing, manufacturing and installing solar home and solar village systems for rural electrification and has been actively involved in rural electrification projects in China since 2004."

Suntech teams with Swinburne University for next-generation cell research

2009-04-11T13:30:00.001+08:00

06 April 2009 | By Síle Mc Mahon

Great strides in solar cell efficiency are the name of the game as Suntech has teamed up with an Australian university to focus on the development of solar cells that boast twice the efficiency but half the cost of conventional cells. Joining research forces with Swinburne University of Technology of Melbourne, Suntech’s CEO Dr. Zhengrong Shi will lead the collaborative effort with the University’s Centre for Micro-Photonics Director, Professor Min Gu (below right).

"The project will be based around the development of nanoplasmonic solar cells," said Professor Gu. This new technology allows for the efficient collection of solar energy in a wider colour range than those currently being developed in other laboratories. "These will be twice as efficient as the current generation of cells, and will also cost significantly less to run."

The collaborative research group will be based in Swinburne's new Advanced Technology Centre, a nearly-completed $130 million dollar development. Tapping Suntech’s manufacturing experience and Swinburne’s years of research expertise, the project is expected to yield the next-generation cells within the next five years.

Dr. Shi said, "This relationship will combine Swinburne's high quality research with Suntech's ability to rapidly commercialize new technologies into cost effective applications. Nanoplasmonic technology has the potential to take solar to the next level."

Funding will come in the form of a $3 million dollar contribution to the venture from Swinburne University, with a further $3 million coming from Suntech throughout the lifecycle of the research, and a tender for further funding being presented to the Victorian Government.

Energosolar, Parity Solar Sign For 24 MW In China

2009-03-09T23:04:00.000+08:00

Thursday 05 March 2009

Energosolar Hungary Equipment Manufacturing Ltd. and Parity Solar Ltd. have signed a contract for a new production line of solar modules in Jiangsu province, China. The agreement calls for 24 MW of EnergoSolar's turnkey end-to-end module manufacturing factory for the production of a-Si thin-film photovoltaic modules.

Energosolar confirmed that the down payment has been received and the production of the equipment has started. Parity plans to expand the manufacturing capacity to 96 MW in 2010-2011. Energosolar will deliver all production equipment for front end and back end, from the glass preparation until the final testing of the ready-to-install thin-film modules. The first phase of installation will start in the third quarter of this year.

China Sunergy Announces Solar Cell Sales Agreement with asola

2009-03-09T23:02:00.001+08:00

March 4, 2009

China Sunergy Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ:CSUN) , a specialized solar cell manufacturer based in Nanjing, China, today announced that it has entered into a solar cell sales agreement with asola Advanced and Automotive Solar System GmbH ("asola"), a German solar module manufacturing company. Under the terms of the contract, China Sunergy will supply a total volume of between 10MW and 30MW of solar cells to asola from February to December of 2009.

Pricing and quantity are fixed for the first half of 2009, while the transaction details for the second half are subject to further negotiations.

"We are delighted to be signing another solar cell sales agreement with asola, and believe that this relationship will only strengthen in the coming years," remarked Dr. Ruennsheng Allen Wang, Director and CEO of China Sunergy. "We will continue to actively build strategic partnerships with our existing customers, while pursuing new sales opportunities for our advanced solar cell products."

Reinahrd Wecker, CEO of asola, added, "We are pleased to continue our relationship with China Sunergy as we expand our business into important solar markets, including Italy and the U.S."

ET Solar Provides Tracking Systems to US's Largest Solar PV Project Operating on Dual-Axis Trackers

2009-03-09T21:47:00.001+08:00

RICHMOND, Calif., March 3 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- ET Solar Group ( http://www.etsolar.com ), in cooperation with Solar Power Partners, Inc. (SPP), announced the completion of the largest dual-axis PV tracker system in the United States. Composed of 89 ET Solar trackers spread over 5 acres, the solar power plant will generate 1.014 MW or 35% of the electricity demands of West County Wastewater District every year. ET Solar provided the tracking systems, one of the key components of the entire project configuration, and also facilitated the design of the project layout to maximize environment benefits and financial returns of this multi-million dollar investment. Amid the worst financial crisis seen in decades, the partners overcame challenges of funding, terrain complexity, and a saltwater environment to ensure the smooth completion of the largest solar plant of its kind to date in the United States.

At the WCWD brown field site, the soil is soft and difficult to work with. Most PV tracking system installations require land grading and poles to be sunk into the ground to provide stability. However, with the soft soil at the location, constructing this type of installation was almost impossible. ET Solar's dual-axis trackers that rest on concrete bases and provide needed stability while avoiding digging holes in the ground turned out to be an ideal solution to the environmental challenges of the project.

Alex von Welczeck, President and CEO of Solar Power Partners commented, "ET Solar's dual-axis tracker design was crucial in resolving the terrain installation issues. Improving the efficiency of the system by 35% was a good benefit as well."

The waste water plant land also had the issue of being near the ocean and subject to corrosive salty air. Furthermore, part of the land floods during times of heavy rain, posing a challenge to most other technologies. Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of ET Solar Group, Linhui Sui, explained, "Our trackers were a perfect fit to this project. Not only do our trackers raise the efficiency of systems by 35%, but they are also built to work in moist and harsh environments so the salty air and flooding issues do not affect the tracker's operation. We are proud to be able to offer a solution for this challenging project and we look forward to expanding our partnership with Solar Power Partners as the country continues to diversify its energy sources and reduce carbon emissions."

Trina Solar Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2008 Results

2009-03-09T21:41:00.002+08:00

CHANGZHOU, China, March 3 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) ("Trina Solar" or the "Company"), a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2008.

Fourth Quarter 2008 Financial and Operating Highlights
-- Solar module shipments were 57.59 MW, a decrease of 13.2% sequentially
and an increase of 140.9 % year-over-year
-- Total net revenues were $216.3 million, a decrease of 25.6%
sequentially and an increase of 113.4% year-over-year
-- Gross profit was $20.8 million, which gave effect to a non-cash
inventory provision of $17.0 million. Gross margin was 9.6%, compared
to 22.4% in the third quarter of 2008. The negative impact of the
inventory provision to fourth quarter gross margin was 7.9%.
-- Net loss was $0.7 million
-- Earnings per fully diluted ADS were negative $0.03. The negative impact
of the fourth quarter inventory was approximately $0.68 per fully
diluted ADS
-- Net positive operating cash flow of approximately $57.2 million
-- Short-term debt balances reduced by approximately $40.8 million to
$248.6 million as of December 31, 2008. Total available credit line
increased to over $200 million from approximately $150 million during
the fourth quarter
-- Reduced the Company's non-silicon manufacturing cost for its
multicrystalline module products to $0.82 cents per watt

Full Year 2008 Results Financial and Operating Highlights
-- Solar module shipments were 201.01 MW, compared to the Company's
previous guidance of 200 MW to 206 MW, an increase of 164.8% from 2007
-- Total net revenues were $831.9 million, an increase of 175.6% from 2007
-- Gross profit was $164.4 million, an increase of 143.2% from 2007
-- Gross margin was 19.8%, compared to 22.4% in 2007
-- Net income for the full year was $61.4 million, an increase of 71.7%
from 2007
-- Earnings per fully diluted ADS for 2008 were $2.37, compared to $1.51
in 2007
-- Secured module contracts which are expected to generate approximately
300 MW in 2009 module shipments
-- Ranked in the top two of 14 international solar module manufacturers in
TUV Reinland's Energy Yield 2008 for the testing period from September
1 to 30, 2008, as reported in January of 2009

"Despite the challenging global economic and financial climate, we are pleased with our strong performance in the fourth quarter," said Mr. Jifan Gao, Chairman and CEO of Trina Solar. "The value of and loyalty towards our brand helped us to exceed our quarterly revenue guidance, despite sector-wide declines in the average sales price of modules. The launch of our European warehouse operations added to our fourth quarter sales by improving our delivery response time and services to customers.

By accelerating our non-silicon manufacturing cost reduction, we produced positive operating cash flows which preserved our cash balances as we reduced our short-term debt balances. We will continue to focus on generating positive operating cash flows to support our 2009 growth plan and strategic initiatives, which will focus on enhancements to our technology, cost reduction and brand recognition.

Addressing cost reduction, we achieved significant progress in our multicrystalline production, which we ramped up steeply in 2008. Based on our fourth quarter cost of approximately $0.82 per watt and targeted further reduction of 5% for the first quarter of 2009, we believe we will become one of the industry's cost leaders with recognized high quality. Our supply chain enhancements include increased adoption of higher efficiency materials, in addition to innovative manufacturing processes currently in advanced testing stage to increase our yields and efficiencies to further reduce unit costs.

We are also pleased to share that in January of this year Trina Solar learned it had been ranked by TUV Reinland in the top two out of 14 participating international module manufacturers for specific energy yield, during TUV Reinland's Energy Yield 2008 testing period from September 1 to 30, 2008. This underscores our committed emphasis to continually improve the quality of our material and production qualities, in addition to our customer's pre and post sales service experience.

Although economic concerns continue to affect negatively the overall PV market, we have benefited from our strong sales capabilities and brand recognition in part due to our abilities to expand our wholesale and project related distribution channels in an increasing number of markets."

Recent Business Highlights

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company benefited from:
-- Strong customer loyalty from significant, earlier established PV
partners throughout Europe and worldwide, who are less impacted by the
reduced availability of commercial credit
-- Increasing sales diversification to a total of 18 established and
emerging PV markets, including Greece, the Czech Republic, Australia,
and the United States
-- Increased sales to project system integrators, which currently
represent more than half of our total shipments
-- Strong support from Spanish partners who are increasingly active doing
projects outside of Spain
-- Capacity expansion to 350MW for each of ingot, wafer, cell and module
productions as of December 31, 2008
-- New cell production Lines 13 and 14 being placed into commercial
operation
-- Launch of European warehouse operations in Rotterdam, Netherlands

The Company also announced the planned establishment of the Company's North American operations base in San Francisco in 2009.

Fourth Quarter 2008 Results

Net Revenues

Trina Solar's net revenues in the fourth quarter of 2008 were $216.3 million, which exceeded the Company's previous guidance of $190 million to $210 million, a decrease of 25.6% sequentially and an increase of 113.4% year-over-year. Total shipments were 57.59 MW, within the Company's previous guidance of 55 MW to 60 MW, compared to 66.36 MW in the third quarter of 2008 and 23.91 MW in the fourth quarter of 2007. The sequential decline in ASP and total shipments was primarily due to weakened economic conditions, decreased availability of project financing in European markets, and reduced Spanish market demand resulting from amendments in government incentive legislation.

Gross Profit and Margin

Gross profit in the fourth quarter of 2008 was $20.8 million, compared to $65.2 million in the third quarter of 2008 and $27.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. Gross profit includes a non-cash inventory provision of $17.0 million. Gross margin was 9.6% in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to the Company's previous guidance of 13% and 15%. The fourth quarter gross margin decreased from 22.4% in the third quarter of 2008 and 27.2% in the fourth quarter of 2007. Other than the non-cash inventory provision, the sequential and year-over-year decreases in gross margin were also due to lower module ASP resulting from weakened demand caused by global economic and financial climate. The decline was partially offset by significant reductions in blended polysilicon costs due to improved market supply conditions and the increased contribution by the Company's portfolio of polysilicon feedstock contracts. The Company also accelerated reduction of its manufacturing cost per watt due to increased production yield efficiencies resulting from improving both its technology transfer and supply chain management efforts.

Inventory Provision

The Company made a non-cash inventory provision in the fourth quarter of $17.0 million based on a revaluation of its silicon inventory as a result of notable market price declines in the quarter. The non-cash inventory provision also had a corresponding effect on the Company's operating and net margins.

Operating Expense, Income and Margin

Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2008 were $16.9 million, a decrease of 8.0% sequentially and an increase of 49.0% year-over-year. The Company's operating expenses accounted for 7.8% of its fourth quarter net revenues, an increase from 6.3% in the third quarter of 2008 and a decrease from 11.2% in the fourth quarter of 2007. The sequential percentage increase was primarily due to the sequential decline in total net revenues. The year-over-year decrease was achieved due to expense-control measures taken by the Company during 2008 combined with the continued growth of the Company's business over the course of the year. Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2008 included approximately $1.0 million in share-based compensation expenses, compared to approximately $0.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.

As a result of foregoing, operating income in the fourth quarter of 2008 was $3.9 million, compared to $46.8 million in the third quarter of 2008 and $16.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. Operating margin was 1.8% in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to 16.1% in the third quarter of 2008 and 16.0% in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Net Interest Expense

Net interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2008 was $6.5 million, compared to $7.2 million in the third quarter of 2008 and $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. The sequential decline was due to a reduction in short term loan balances while the year-over-year increase was due to additional bank borrowings to support the Company's 2008 capacity expansion.

Foreign Currency Exchange Gain

Foreign currency exchange gain was $3.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to a $4.9 million loss in the third quarter of 2008 and a $1.4 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2007. This increase was due to the appreciation of the Euro against the US dollar and the Company's increased hedging capacity involving the utilization of foreign currency forward contracts.

Net Income and EPS

Net loss was $0.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, a decrease from $32.1 million in the third quarter of 2008 and $17.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. Net loss includes a foreign currency exchange gain of $3.2 million.

Net margin was negative 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to 11.0% in the third quarter of 2008 and 17.3% in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Earnings per fully diluted ADS were negative $0.03. The effect of the fourth quarter inventory provision, net of tax effect, was approximately $0.68 per fully diluted ADS while the effect of the fourth quarter foreign currency exchange gain, net of tax effect, was approximately $0.13 per fully diluted ADS.

Full Year 2008 Results

For 2008, net revenues were $831.9 million, compared to the Company's previous guidance of $800 million to $850 million. Total net revenue rose 175.6% from $301.8 million in 2007, primarily due to the increased shipments and offset in part by the decreased ASP. Total shipments were 201.01 MW, an increase of 164.8% from 75.91 MW in 2007. Gross profit for 2008 was $164.4 million, an increase of 143.2% from $67.6 million in 2007. Gross margin was 19.8% in 2008, compared to 22.4% in 2007. The Company's previous 2008 guidance was from 20% to 22%.

Operating income for 2008 was $100.0 million, up 177.8% from $36.0 million in 2007. Operating margin was 12.0% in 2008, compared to 11.9% in 2007.

Net income from continuing operations for 2008 was $61.4 million, an increase of 73.5% from 2007. Net income was $61.4 million, an increase of 71.7% from 2007. Net margin was 7.4% in 2008, compared to 11.8% in 2007.

Earnings per fully-diluted ADS for 2008 were $2.37, an increase of 57% compared to $1.51 per fully diluted ADS for the full year 2007.

Financial Condition

As of December 31, 2008, the Company had $177.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash. The Company's working capital balance was $84.2 million. Total bank borrowings stood at $263.2 million, of which $14.6 million were long-term borrowings. Shareholders' equity was $433.1 million, up slightly from $432.7 million at the end of the third quarter of 2008.

The Company increased the effective capacity of its foreign currency hedging program during the fourth quarter of 2008 involving forward currency contracts between the Euro and US dollar currencies, with goal to mitigate possible negative effects of exchange rate volatility.

First Quarter and Fiscal Year 2009 Guidance

While the Company typically provides a range of guidance for future performance, the current global economic and financial climate makes such predictions difficult.

For the first quarter of 2009, the Company expects to ship between 50 MW to 55 MW of PV modules. The Company believes gross margin for the first quarter will likely be between 15% and 17%.

For the full year of 2009 the Company expects total PV module shipments between 350 MW to 400 MW, representing an increase of 74% to 99% from 2008.

Operations and Business Outlook for 2009

Module Cost Reduction

As of February, 2009, the Company's non-silicon manufacturing cost for its multicrystalline modules, which are expected to represent approximately 70% of its 2009 production, was approximately $0.82 per watt. By year end 2009 the Company expects further reduction of 15% to 20% through a combination of technology and manufacturing process improvements, including supply chain and logistics management initiatives currently under testing or development.

Order Backlog

The Company is currently targeting module production of between 350 MW to 400 MW for 2009. The Company has entered into contracts expected to generate approximately 300 MW in 2009 shipments.

Silicon Procurement

Through the Company's diversified range of short, medium, and long-term supply contracts, which include agreements entered into in the first quarter of 2007, the Company will continue to maintain competitive silicon costs relative to the current market price.

Capacity Expansion

Given recent changes in the global economic and financial climate, the Company is analyzing several 2009 capacity growth scenarios for anticipated announcement in the second quarter of 2009.

Cell Technology and Product Development Update

The Company is currently improving its cell manufacturing processes, including passivation and metallization techniques involved in the photovoltaic manufacturing process, with target year end cell efficiency goals of up to 18.5% and 17.5%, respectively, for its monocrystalline and multicrystalline product lines, compared to 17.5% and 16.3% achieved in December 2008. The Company also plans to further enhance its BIPV module product.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on March 3, 2009, to discuss the results for the quarter ended December 31, 2008. Joining Jifan Gao, Chairman and CEO of Trina Solar, will be Terry Wang, Chief Financial Officer, Sean Tzou, Chief Operating Officer, Steven Zhu, Vice President, International Procurement and Business Development, Arturo Herrero, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, and Thomas Young, Director of Investor Relations. To participate in the conference call, please dial the following number five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time: 1 (800) 884-2382. International callers should dial +1 (660) 422-4933. The conference ID for the call is 8623-0496.

If you are unable to participate in the call at this time, a replay will be available on March 3 at 11:00 a.m. ET, through March 10, at 11:59 p.m. ET. To access the replay, dial 1 (800) 642-1687, international callers should dial +1 (706) 645-9291, and enter the conference ID 8623-0496.

This conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by all interested parties on Trina Solar's website at http://www.trinasolar.com . To listen to the live webcast, please go to Trina Solar's website at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call on Trina Solar's website for 90 days.

About Trina Solar Limited

Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) is a well recognized manufacturer of high quality modules and has a long history as a solar PV pioneer since it was founded in 1997 as a system installation company. Trina Solar is one of the few PV manufacturers that has developed a vertically integrated business model from the production of monocrystalline and multicrystalline ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of high quality modules. Trina Solar's products provide reliable and environmentally-friendly electric power for a growing variety of end-user applications worldwide. For further information, please visit Trina Solar's website at http://www.trinasolar.com .

China's Himin Solar plans A-share IPO in 2010

2009-03-09T21:39:00.000+08:00

BEIJING, March 3 (Reuters) - Himin Solar Energy Group, China's top maker of solar water heaters, plans an initial public offering of mainland-listed A shares next year, its president, Huang Ming, said on Tuesday.

The company may also consider an overseas listing, Huang told Reuters ahead of the start of the country's annual parliament meeting.

Huang had said in the spring of last year that the company planned to list domestically in 2008 or 2009, although in comments in December on the company's IPO plans he declined to give a timetable.

He said on Tuesday that the company would invest more than 1 billion yuan ($146 million) this year and estimated that its production capacity would double by the year-end.

The company also foresaw a more than 40 percent rise in sales this year, compared with less than 30 percent growth last year, he said.

Himin Solar announced in December that it had secured a nearly $100 million investment from Goldman Sachs (GS.N) and China's CDH Ventures. ($1=6.843 Yuan)

Yingli Group to Manage Guangwei Cell Project

2009-03-09T20:34:00.000+08:00

Guangwei Green Energy started construction of a 66.7-hectare multicrystalline silicon solar cell project with planned annual capacity of 600MW in Hebei province on February 27, reports newenergy.org.cn. Longjitaihe Industry Group intends to invest a total of RMB 4.2 billion in the project, while Yingli Group, the parent company of Yingli Green Energy (NYSE:YGE), has agreed to manage the project for two years and aid in product development, raw material purchasing and sales. The project is scheduled to begin production at annual capacity of 300MW in September to generate sales revenue of RMB 7.5 billion and create more than 5,000 jobs.

New Huaguang's Yunnan Arm to Set up Solar Cell Base

2009-03-09T20:33:00.000+08:00

XIANGFAN, Feb 27, 2009 (SinoCast Daily Business Beat via COMTEX) --Hubei New Huaguang Information Materials Co., Ltd. (SZSE: 600184) announces that its subsidiary Yunnan Tianda PV Tech Co., Ltd. plans to build a solar cell production and R & D base in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province.

The base will break earth in Xiuzhou Industrial Park of Jiaxing and the builder will enjoy preferential treatment and subsidies from the local government. In line with the inked investment agreement, the base will be able to produce 100MW solar cells per year in the first phase and finally expand to 200MW.

Yunnan Tianda buys a plot of land of more than 3.3 hectares large via public tender for the base, which is estimated to need investment of CNY 300 million, including CNY 50 million from shareholders and CNY 250 million from bank loans or other sources.

Notably, Yunnan Tianda intends to team up a Zhejiang-based company to set up a joint venture to operate this base, registering CNY 50 million in capital at first.

Source: www.shihua.com.cn (February 27, 2009)

China Sunergy Signs Solar Cell Sales Agreement With U.S. Based Manufacturer of Photovoltaic Products

2009-02-27T00:32:00.001+08:00

China Sunergy to Ship 20MW to 25MW of Solar Cells in 2009 to Photovoltaic Firm

NANJING, China, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- China Sunergy Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: CSUN), a specialized solar cell manufacturer based in Nanjing, China, today announced that it has entered into a wafer purchase agreement and a solar cell sales agreement with a U.S. based photovoltaic products firm.

Pursuant to the terms of the agreements, China Sunergy will utilize the multi-silicon wafers purchased from the firm to produce multi-silicon solar cells, which will then be sold back to the firm for incorporation into its downstream solar products. Based on the forecast provided by the U.S. based manufacturer, a total of 20MW to 25MW of solar cells will be supplied by China Sunergy throughout 2009.

The agreements may be replaced by an OEM tolling agreement between China Sunergy and the manufacturer, which is expected to come into force in April 2009. The parties expect that the OEM tolling agreement would not alter the basis of the purchasing and sales terms currently outlined in the existing contracts.

Commenting on the news, Dr. Ruennsheng Allen Wang, CEO of China Sunergy, remarked:

''The securing of this year-long agreement with our U.S. partner, especially during a period of instability within the solar sector, demonstrates that China Sunergy is able to execute on our strategy of signing financially profitable, mutually beneficial agreements with a diverse set of customers. We will continue to seek out additional suitable partners for our advanced solar products across a wide spectrum of geographies and industry segments.''

KYOCERA Breaks Ground on New Solar Module Plant in China

2009-02-26T00:24:00.001+08:00

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) today announced the construction of a new solar module manufacturing plant in Tianjin City, China in order to expand production capacity at KYOCERA (Tianjin) Solar Energy Co., Ltd. (herein Kyocera Tianjin Solar).

Construction of the new plant is timed to align the production capacity of solar modules with the increase in production of solar cells which Kyocera is set to expand to 650MW by March, 2012. Manufacturing modules mainly for the Asian market, the target production capacity of Kyocera Tianjin Solar will be bolstered to the eventual goal of 240MW from 2011, an increase to four times the current capacity of 60MW.

Construction of the new manufacturing plant will begin in April, with completion scheduled for spring of 2010. Upon completion of the new plant, all Kyocera Tianjin Solar manufacturing operations will subsequently be transferred to the new facility.

On February 18, the groundbreaking ceremony for the scheduled construction of the new plant was held on the site adjacent to the current facility.

Presently, the solar energy industry is garnering global attention. In 2003, anticipating future growth in the Asian market starting with China and Japan, Kyocera was the first Japanese company to establish a solar module manufacturing plant in China. With the Kyocera Group operating manufacturing facilities for solar modules in Japan, Mexico, the Czech Republic and the Tianjin facilities in China, Kyocera Tianjin Solar supplies solar modules to the leading Asian markets of Japan, South Korea and China as one of the group’s four global manufacturing centers.

Kyocera will continue to increase production capacity from here on to correspond with market demand, aiming for the further expansion of its solar energy business.

Details of the New KYOCERA (Tianjin) Solar Energy Co., Ltd. Plant

Start of Construction: April 2009 (scheduled)
Completion: Spring 2010 (scheduled)
Start of Operation: Gradual start of operations from spring 2010 (scheduled)
Building Area: 9,600m2
Floor Area: 28,800m2 (3 floors)

About KYOCERA

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as “advanced ceramics”). By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, telecommunications equipment, laser printers, copiers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2008, the company’s net sales totaled 1.29 trillion yen (approximately US$12.9 billion).

Suntech Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 Financial Results

2009-02-26T00:08:00.002+08:00

SAN FRANCISCO and WUXI, China, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturer, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2008.

Fourth Quarter 2008 Financial Highlights(1)

-- Total net revenues grew 4.2% year-over-year to $414.4 million.

-- GAAP gross margin was 0.6% and non-GAAP(2) gross margin was 0.9%.
Excluding the provision for inventory and purchase commitments,
adjusted non-GAAP consolidated gross margin in the fourth quarter
was 13.1%.

-- GAAP net loss was $65.9 million, or negative $0.42 per diluted
American Depository Share (ADS). On a non-GAAP basis, Suntech's net
loss was $42.4 million, or negative $0.27 per diluted ADS. Each ADS
represents one ordinary share.

-- Net debt decreased by $273.7 million to $1,117.8 million as of
December 31, 2008.

Full Year 2008 Financial Highlights(1)

-- Total net revenues grew 42.7% year-over-year to $1,923.5 million.

-- Full year 2008 total shipments of solar products grew 36.0%
year-over-year to 497.5 MW.

-- GAAP gross margin was 17.8% and non-GAAP(2) gross margin was 18.2%.

-- GAAP net income for the full year was $111.0 million or $0.66 per
ADS. On a non-GAAP basis, Suntech's net income for the full year was
$149.7 million or $0.89 per diluted ADS.

-- Achieved 1GW solar cell and module production capacity.

"Customer recognition of Suntech's high performance and premium quality modules enabled us to deliver close to 500MW in the full year 2008 and extend our position as a world leader in solar," said Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Chairman and CEO. "During 2008, we bolstered our on-the-ground customer service and support capability by opening branches in key markets and hiring experienced solar professionals, achieved 1GW production capacity, and demonstrated our strength in solar innovation with the successful commercialization of our Pluto technology."

"We believe that we are now in a position to service all avenues of solar demand globally, including residential roof-top, commercial roof-top, ground mounted and utility scale. In particular, our continued investment in the U.S. should position us for strong growth in that key market and its burgeoning utility-scale segment via our systems integration unit, Suntech Energy Solutions, and our project development joint venture, Gemini Solar."

"Despite the challenging market conditions, we are confident that we are well positioned to expand our market share in 2009. We believe that the project financing environment is improving and will continue to do so as the year progresses, leading to further growth of the solar industry. We are confident that Suntech's reputation as a global solar leader will benefit us as more and more customers realize the value in partnering with a company that offers stability, first class service, industry-leading scale, superior technology, quality and a broad product portfolio," added Dr. Shi.

RECENT BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

Silicon Procurement
-- Suntech and MEMC Electronic Materials amended their 10-year silicon
wafer supply agreement. As amended, the dollar value of silicon
wafer purchases from MEMC remains unchanged, but a volume increase
and a price reduction for 2009 have been effectuated.

-- Suntech acquired a minority stake in Asia Silicon Co. Ltd, an
independent polysilicon producer, for a total cash consideration of
approximately $8.1 million. Suntech previously entered into an
agreement to purchase up to $1.5 billion high purity polysilicon
from Asia Silicon over a seven-year period. Polysilicon cost
decreases to less than $40 per kilogram during the term of the
agreement.

Notable PV Projects
-- Suntech was chosen to design and construct a BIPV system totaling
3MW on the China and Theme Pavilions at the World Expo Shanghai 2010.
The project will be the largest BIPV installation in China.

-- Suntech supplied 5MW of Suntech solar panels for the largest solar
plant in the Middle East, a 10MW solar electricity system to power
Masdar City, the world's first carbon neutral city being built in
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The solar system is being built and
designed by leading Abu Dhabi based solar power system integrator,
Enviromena Power Systems.

Product Offering Expansion
-- Suntech entered into an exclusive agreement giving Suntech rights
related to the worldwide manufacturing, distribution and marketing
of Applied Solar's building integrated solar roof tile product,
SolarBlend(TM), and roof membrane product, SolarEze(TM). The
agreements combine Suntech's industry-leading products with Applied
Solar's innovative BIPV applications to provide a more comprehensive
set of product offerings to the residential and commercial market.

U.S. Dealer Network
-- Suntech continued expanding its dealer network of residential
rooftop installers and integrators in the U.S. Currently, Suntech's
network includes over 100 dealers, up from 30 at the end of the
third quarter of 2008.

Technology
-- Suntech has a fully operational 34MW Pluto PV cell line and is in
the process of adding another 68MW of Pluto capacity. Suntech
expects to receive industry certification for Pluto PV modules in
the second quarter of 2009 and targets shipments of more than 50MW
of Pluto modules in 2009.

-- The Pluto high efficiency technology consistently achieves
conversion efficiencies of close to 17% on multi-crystalline PV
cells and close to 19% on mono-crystalline PV cells. Suntech
anticipates that the higher conversion efficiencies will improve
power output by up to 12% above conventional screen-printed PV cells,
enable improved space utilization and reduce installation and other
balance of system costs.

Convertible Senior Note Repurchase
-- Through December 31, 2008, Suntech repurchased $93.8 million
aggregate principal amount of its 0.25% Convertible Senior Notes due
2012 for cash consideration of $61.0 million. As a result, Suntech
realized a net gain of approximately $31.1 million.

Capital and Credit Facilities
-- Suntech had approximately $2.4 billion of approved credit lines to
be used for fixed asset purchase, working capital or trade financing
as of December 31, 2008. Of these credit facilities approximately
$1.2 billion had been drawn down as of December 31, 2008. Suntech
expects that its capital will be sufficient to cover its capital
expenditures in 2009 while maintaining adequate working capital to
support its operations.

Fourth Quarter 2008 Results

Net Non-GAAP Non-GAAP
Revenues Gross Profit Gross Margin

(in $ % of Net (in $
millions) Revenues millions) (%)

Standard PV Modules $382.6 92.3 % $11.4 3.0 %
Others $31.8 7.7 % ($7.8) (24.0%)
Total Net Revenues $414.4 100 % $3.6 0.9 %

Provision for
inventory and
purchase
commitment $50.7 12.2 %
Adjusted Non-GAAP
Gross Profit $54.3 13.1 %

Total net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $414.4 million, a decrease of 30.3% from $594.4 million in the third quarter of 2008. The sequential decrease in revenues was primarily due to a decrease in shipments and the average selling price of PV products.

Non-GAAP gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $3.6 million, compared to $129.7 million for the third quarter of 2008.

Fourth quarter of 2008 non-GAAP consolidated gross margin was 0.9%, compared to 21.8% in the third quarter of 2008. Gross margin decreased from the third quarter of 2008 primarily due to a sequential decrease in the average selling price of PV products and a provision for inventory and purchase commitments of $50.7 million in total, reflecting the rapid decrease in the silicon and module prices in the fourth quarter. The provision for inventory and purchase commitments had a 12.2% negative impact on margins. Excluding the provision for inventory and purchase commitments, adjusted non- GAAP consolidated gross margin in the fourth quarter was 13.1%, and adjusted non-GAAP net income margin was 2.0%.

Non-GAAP operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2008 totaled $41.9 million or 10.1% of total net revenues, compared to $37.1 million or 6.2% of total net revenues in the third quarter of 2008. The increase was primarily due to an increase in provisions for doubtful debts and additional compensation expenses attributable to employees at Suntech Energy Solutions, which was acquired during the fourth quarter.

Non-GAAP loss from operations for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $38.2 million, compared to income from operations of $92.6 million in the third quarter of the 2008. Non-GAAP operating margin was negative 9.2% in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to positive 15.6% in the third quarter of 2008.

Net interest expense was $8.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to net interest expense of $7.9 million in the third quarter of 2008.

In January 2009, Suntech adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position No. APB 14-1, Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments that may be Settled in Cash Upon Conversion ("FSP APB 14-1"). The Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting FSP APB 14-1, which the Company believes will be material to its results of operations. FSP APB 14-1 requires that the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement) be separately accounted for in a manner that reflects an issuer's nonconvertible debt borrowing rate.

Foreign currency exchange loss was $3.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to a loss of $16.6 million in the third quarter of 2008. The decrease was primarily due to a revaluation gain from the depreciation of net liabilities denominated in CNY in the fourth quarter of 2008. The exchange gain was largely offset by the revaluation loss resulting from the significant depreciation of net assets denominated in EUR.

Net other expenses increased to $19.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 from $3.2 million in the third quarter of 2008. The increase in net other expenses was primarily due to an investment impairment of $48.8 million for Suntech's investments in Hoku and Nitol, which was partially offset by a net gain of $31.1 million from the repurchase of the Convertible Senior Notes at a discount.

Non-GAAP net loss for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $42.4 million, or negative $0.27 per diluted ADS, compared to non-GAAP net income of $60.3 million, or $0.35 per diluted ADS in the third quarter of 2008.

On a GAAP basis, for the fourth quarter of 2008 gross profit was $2.3 million. Consolidated gross margin was 0.6% for the fourth quarter of 2008.

On a GAAP basis, operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $46.2 million or 11.1% of total net revenues. Loss from operations was $43.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $65.9 million, or negative $0.42 per diluted ADS.

In the fourth quarter of 2008, capital expenditures, which were primarily related to expanding production capacity and constructing Suntech's production facilities, totaled $109.1 million. Depreciation and amortization expenses totaled $11.6 million.

Cash and cash equivalents increased to $507.8 million as of December 31, 2008 from $394.6 million as of September 20, 2008. The increase was mainly due to the accelerated collection of VAT recoverable and the liquidation of short- term investments. The increase was partially offset by the cash payments for the repurchase of the Convertible Senior Notes and repayment of bank borrowings. As a result of the foregoing, the net debt balance decreased from $1,391.5 million as of September 30, 2008 to $1,117.8 million as of December 31, 2008.

Restricted cash was $70.7 million as of December 31, 2008.

Inventory totaled $231.9 million as of December 31, 2008 compared to $247.9 million as of September 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily caused by the inventory provision.

Value-added tax recoverable totaled $75.7 million as of December 31, 2008, compared to $201.8 million as of September 30, 2008. The decrease was mainly due to the accelerated collection of some value-added tax recoverable in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Full Year 2008 Results

Net Non-GAAP Non-GAAP
Revenues Gross Profit Gross Margin

(in $ % of Net (in $
millions) Revenues millions) (%)

Standard $1,785.8 92.8 % $343.8 19.3 %
PV
Modules
Others $137.7 7.2 % $5.7 4.1 %
Total Net $1,923.5 100 % $349.5 18.2 %
Revenues

Total net revenues for the full year 2008 were $1,923.5 million, representing a 42.7% increase from 2007.

On a non-GAAP basis, the full year 2008 gross profit was $349.5 million, an increase of 22.7% year-over-year. 2008 consolidated gross margin was 18.2% compared to 21.1% in 2007. Income from operations was $205.7 million compared to $215.1 million in 2007. Net income was $149.7 million or $0.89 per diluted ADS, compared to non-GAAP net income of $201.0 million or $1.19 per diluted ADS in the full year 2007.

On a GAAP basis, for the full year 2008 gross profit was $342.9 million, an increase of 25.1% year-over-year. 2008 gross margin was 17.8% compared to 20.3% in 2007. Income from operations was $182.5 million, a decrease of 0.8% year-over-year. Net income was $111.0 million, a decrease of 35.2% year-over- year, or $0.66 per diluted ADS, compared to net income of $171.3 million or $1.02 per diluted ADS in the full year 2007.

In the full year 2008, capital expenditures, which were primarily related to expanding production capacity and constructing Suntech's production facilities, totaled $347.9 million. Depreciation and amortization expenses totaled $39.3 million.

Business Outlook

Based on current operating conditions, Suntech expects revenues for the first quarter of 2009 to be in the range of $340 million to $380 million, assuming an exchange rate of $1.28 U.S. dollars to the Euro in the first quarter 2009. GAAP consolidated gross margin in the first quarter of 2009 is expected to be in the range of 12% to 15%.

Suntech expects full-year 2009 shipments of more than 800MW. Suntech intends to hold PV cell production capacity at 1GW in 2009 until credit market visibility improves. Suntech expects capital expenditures of approximately $100 million in 2009. The majority of 2009 capital expenditures will be utilized to retrofit existing production capacity to the high efficiency Pluto technology and the completion of the thin film facility.

Canadian Solar cuts 2009 shipment outlook

2009-02-26T00:05:00.001+08:00

Feb 17 (Reuters) - China's Canadian Solar Inc (CSIQ.O) cut its 2009 shipment outlook, citing uncertainty in financial markets, and does not expect revenue to cover input costs in the fourth quarter of 2008.

"Gross margin in the fourth quarter is expected to be negative, reflecting the weak euro, a decline in module pricing in December and an inventory revaluation provision," Canadian Solar said.

The solar-cell maker forecast 2009 shipments of 300 to 350 megawatts (MW), down from its prior outlook of 500 to 550 MW.

The company said that near-term solar demand and pricing were being hit by the current credit environment, winter weather in Germany and market-wide inventory clearance efforts.

For the fourth quarter of 2008, the company forecast revenue of $66 million to $71 million, compared with analysts' average estimate of $69.3 million. (Reporting by Arup Roychoudhury in Bangalore; Editing by Pratish Narayanan)

Trina Solar Announces Selected Estimated Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 Financial Results

2009-02-26T00:02:00.001+08:00

CHANGZHOU, China, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) ("Trina Solar" or the "Company"), a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules, today announced the following selected estimated financial results for the quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2008.

For the fourth quarter 2008, the Company expects:
-- total net revenues for the fourth quarter to exceed its previous
guidance range of $190 million to $210 million
-- fourth quarter positive net operating cashflow to be approximately $60
million
-- short-term debt to be reduced by approximately $41 million to $249
million
-- a non-cash inventory provision between $16 million and $18 million

For the full year 2008, the Company expects:
-- total net revenues for the full year 2008 to meet its previous guidance
range of $800 million to $850 million
-- total module shipments for the full year 2008 to meet its previous
guidance range of 200 MW to 206 MW

"Against a very challenging operating environment, where preservation of cash and balance sheet fundamentals were our priorities, the notable reduction in both our silicon and non-silicon manufacturing costs resulted in our highest ever quarterly operating cashflow," said Mr. Jifan Gao, Chairman and CEO of Trina Solar. "This allowed us to significantly reduce our short-term debt to further improve our capital structure and maintain our liquidity for 2009."

The Company also announced that it anticipates a non-cash inventory provision between $16 million and $18 million mainly due to the revaluation of its silicon inventory linked to notable market price declines in the fourth quarter of 2008. The provision is expected to have a negative gross margin impact of 7% to 8%. With this provision, the Company expects its fourth quarter gross margin to be in the range of 9% to 10%, compared to its earlier previous guidance of 13% to 15%. The Company also expects its operating and net margins would be correspondingly affected.

As these selected estimated results are subject to finalization of the Company's financial closing procedures, the Company's actual results may differ from its current estimates.

The Company will review its fourth quarter and full year 2008 results via conference call on March 3, 2009 at 8:00 am (EST). Conference call details may be found via separate announcement, available at the company's website at http://www.trinasolar.com.

China Suntech says '09 output to rise 60 pct

2009-02-25T23:59:00.001+08:00

* Output in 2009 expected to rise 60 pct

* Prices down 20 percent since the third quarter

* May increase capacity in 2009 if financial crisis eases

BEIJING, Feb 17 - China's Suntech Power, the world's largest solar module maker, said on Tuesday it expected production to rise 60 percent this year to at least 800 megawatts, as demand remains strong in Europe.

The company could resurrect a plan suspended earlier this year to expand capacity by 40 percent to 1.4 gigawatts, but will hold off on a decision until the impact from the global financial crisis is more transparent.

Suntech, which makes the panels that turn sunlight into electricity, expects full-year 2008 revenues between $1.91 billion and $1.93 billion.

Shi Zhengrong, the founder and chairman of Suntech Power Holdings Co, said that the financial crisis was affecting his industry, leading to a 20 percent cut in prices since the third quarter of last year.

"We have already signed over 600 megawatts of contracts with our European customers," Shi told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"We are still aiming for at least 800 megawatts of production for this year," he said. The entrepreneur said production was about 500 megawatts last year. "Business is still good."
renewable
DEMAND SLOWED

Financing for new renewable energy products has become difficult as banks around the world have tightened lending amid the worst economic slowdown in decades.

As demand slowed in the fourth quarter, Suntech laid off 10 percent of its 8,000-strong workforce and suspended a plan to expand capacity to 1.4 gigawatts in 2009.

However, the planned expansion could be restarted later this year if the effects on customers from the financial crisis ease.

"We want to hold capacity at one gigawatt until the financial situation becomes more clear," he said.

"It could come back on line later this year, we will see," he said, referring to the planned capacity increase.

While demand remained strong, Shi said prices had fallen as overcapacity weighed on producers.

"Prices have already fallen 20 percent from Q3 last year," he said, referring to the third quarter, but said that prices have now stabilised.

"I think prices are now more or less stabilised. There was a panic in the fourth quarter," he said.

Shi said lower prices would lead to a rise in demand in Europe, the destination for 80 percent of his output because of state subsidies for clean energy.

And while President Barack Obama's backing of renewable energy in the United States could potentially be another big source of demand for Suntech's products, Shi does not expect to see the increase in demand this year.

"We don't expect a surge in orders from the U.S. because it takes time to happen."

Suntech Buys Stake in Asia Silicon for $8.1M

2009-02-24T23:38:00.002+08:00

Ucilia Wang

February 17, 2009

Suntech Power Holdings (NYSE: STP) has invested about $8.1 million in Asia Silicon, which has been supplying Suntech with the raw material for making solar cells.

Suntech, based in Wuxi, China, said Tuesday it bought a minority stake from an existing shareholder of Asia Silicon, which is located in Qinghai, China.

Back in 2007, Suntech said it had signed a seven-year, $1.5 billion deal with Asia Silicon. Asia Silicon was to begin delivering the material in the second half of 2008. Suntech said at the time that the contract would give it the cheapest silicon it could find. The company also said it would pay more than $40 per kilogram for the first half of the deal, and less than $40 per kilogram for the remainder of the contract.

Asia Silicon is a new entrant in the market. The company said it began producing silicon at the end of last year, and is revving up its manufacturing pace to reach 2,000 metric tons per year by the middle of this year.

Owning a piece of a silicon company could prove a good move at a time when silicon prices are falling rapidly. The trend, coupled with the economic downturn that has softened market demand, has prompted many solar cell makers to renegotiate their contracts with silicon makers.

Silicon makers aren't immune to market forces, however, and Suntech has seen its investments in two silicon makers, Nitol Solar and Hoku Materials, taking a dive. Suntech said last month that it would incur a charge between $49 million and $52 million in its fourth quarter financials as a result of its stakes in Nitol and Hoku.

Hoku, based in Pocatello, Idaho, recently said it could have trouble building its very first silicon factory because a few of its customers couldn't make the advanced payments that would help to pay for building the factory in Idaho.

Suntech is scheduled to release its quarterly earnings Wednesday.

JA Solar signs solar cell supply agreement with BP Solar International

2009-02-24T23:02:00.001+08:00

BEIJING, Feb 13, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- China's high-performance solar product producer JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. (JASO.Nasdaq) will supply monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar cells to BP Solar International Inc. in 2009 with an initial volume of 175 MW, according to latest announcement by JA Solar.

The ultimate solar cell delivery may reach as much as 360 MW within 2009, according to the announcement.

This supply agreement is pursuant to the broader strategic cooperation agreement signed between JA Solar and BP Alternative Energy Holdings Limited in November of last year.

Samuel Yang, CEO of JA Solar, said, "We believe this extended agreement with BP will positively affect our business in 2009 and the years beyond."

Additionally, JA Solar plans to announce the operating results for the fourth quarter of 2008 and the annual financial report of 2008 in the second week of March 2009.

JA Solar lowers 2009 revenue expectations

2009-02-24T22:19:00.002+08:00

Associated Press, 02.11.09

Chinese solar cell maker JA Solar Holdings Co. on Wednesday again lowered its revenue forecast for 2009, citing global financial weakness and tight credit markets.

Shares of the company tumbled on the news, dropping 25 cents, or 8.3 percent, to $2.76 in aftermarket trading, having closed the regular session at $3.01.

The company currently expects 2009 revenue of $830 million to $952 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters, on average, expect 2009 revenue of $993.8 million.

In November, the company cut its revenue projection to between $1.43 billion and $1.66 billion from a prior forecast of $2 billion to $2.2 billion.

JA Solar (nasdaq: JASO - news - people )'s target for total production output is now 500 megawatts to 550 megawatts. The nameplate production capacity by year-end 2009 is now expected to be 875 megawatts.

Based in Shanghai with manufacturing operations in Hebei and Yangzhou, China, JA Solar Holdings is a leading manufacturer of high-performance solar cells. The company sells its products to solar manufacturers worldwide, who assemble and integrate solar cells into modules and systems that convert sunlight into electricity for residential, commercial and utility-scale power generation.

Yingli Green Energy Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 Results

2009-02-24T21:39:00.003+08:00

BAODING, China, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE) (''Yingli Green Energy'' or the ''Company''), one of the world's leading vertically integrated photovoltaic (''PV'') product manufacturers, today announced its unaudited consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2008.

Fourth Quarter 2008 Consolidated Financial and Operating Highlights

-- PV module shipments totaled 78.8 MW.
-- Total net revenues were RMB 1,761.2 million (US$258.1 million).
-- Gross profit was RMB 232.9 million (US$34.1 million) and gross margin
was 13.2%.
-- Operating income was RMB 97.8 million (US$14.3 million) and operating
margin was 5.6%.
-- Net income was RMB 100.6 million (US$14.7 million) and diluted earnings
per ordinary share and per American depositary share (''ADS'') were
RMB 0.79 (US$0.12).
-- On an adjusted non-GAAP(1) basis, net income was RMB 126.8 million
(US$18.6 million) and diluted earnings per ordinary share and per ADS
were RMB 0.99 (US$0.15).

Full Year 2008 Consolidated Financial and Operating Highlights

-- PV module shipments were 281.5 MW, compared to the Company's previous
guidance of 270 MW to 280 MW.
-- Total net revenues were RMB 7,553.0 million (US$1,107.1 million),
compared to the Company's previous guidance of US$1,053 million to
US$1,106 million.
-- Gross profit was RMB 1,629.6 million (US$238.9 million).
-- Net income was RMB 682.1 million (US$100.0 million) and fully diluted
earnings per ordinary share and per ADS were RMB 5.27 (US$0.77).
-- On an adjusted non-GAAP(1) basis, net income for the full year 2008 was
RMB 782.8 million (US$114.7 million) and fully diluted earnings per
ordinary share and per ADS were RMB 6.04 (US$0.89).
-- New sales contracts bring total PV module sales under contract for
delivery in 2009 to 317.4 MW.
(1) All non-GAAP measures exclude share-based compensation and
amortization of intangible assets arising from purchase price
allocation in connection with a series of acquisitions of equity
interest in Baoding Tianwei Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd.
(''Tianwei Yingli''), an operating subsidiary of the Company. For
further details on non-GAAP measures, please refer to the
reconciliation table and a detailed discussion of the Company's use of
non-GAAP information set forth elsewhere in this earnings release.

''In spite of difficult global economic and market conditions, we are pleased to report that we exceeded our shipment volume and total net revenue targets for the full year 2008,'' commented Mr. Liansheng Miao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yingli Green Energy. ''We continue to see the benefits of our vertically integrated model, which allows us to bring our high quality modules to market at competitive prices, and believe that Yingli Green Energy is well-positioned to capture additional market share in 2009. To further enhance our position in the increasingly competitive PV industry, we will continue pursuing initiatives to enhance our product quality, brand recognition and our sales and distribution channels around the world.''

''To strengthen our market presence and enhance our comprehensive customer service, we have established offices and subsidiaries in key markets including Germany, Spain, Italy and the United States. In addition, Yingli Green Energy entered into a long-term strategic cooperation with TUV Rheinland (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Under the strategic partnership, TUV Rheinland will conduct periodic factory inspections to review production, testing and calibration procedures and assist Yingli Green Energy in certification planning and execution to support new product introductions, which will provide our customers with an additional level of quality assurance,'' Mr. Miao continued.

''Our recent acquisition of Cyber Power and its polysilicon manufacturing subsidiary, Fine Silicon, is a key step toward the full vertical integration of our manufacturing processes. We believe this acquisition will not only help us secure high quality polysilicon to meet our customers' demands for top quality PV products but will also help control and stabilize our polysilicon costs to improve our margins as well as further increase visibility to achieving grid parity,'' Mr. Miao continued.

''Furthermore, to be better positioned to face challenges during this economic downturn, we have been actively sourcing additional capital to support the execution of our strategic business plan and have recently completed a number of financing transactions with domestic and overseas financial institutions.''

''We remain confident in the long-term fundamentals of the solar industry and believe our steady progress towards grid parity, combined with the supportive renewable energy policies of major governments around the world, should position us to emerge as an even stronger player,'' Mr. Miao concluded.

Fourth Quarter 2008 Financial Results

Total Net Revenues

Total net revenues were RMB 1,761.2 million (US$258.1 million) in the fourth quarter of 2008, a decrease of 20.3% from RMB 2,209.8 million in the third quarter of 2008 and an increase of 21.2% from RMB 1,453.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. The decrease from the third quarter of 2008 was primarily due to a lower average selling price and slightly lower shipment volume. The average selling price for PV modules(2) in the fourth quarter of 2008 was US$3.19 per watt, a decrease of 21.0% from US$4.04 per watt in the third quarter of 2008. Total PV module shipments decreased 1.5% to 78.8 MW in the fourth quarter of 2008 from 80.0 MW in the third quarter of 2008. The decreases in both average selling price and shipments were mainly caused by weakened demand as the result of weakened macroeconomic conditions, including changes in the feed-in tariff policy in Spain and tighter credit for PV system project financing. Furthermore, as a majority of the Company's PV module shipments were under contracts denominated in Euros, average selling price was also negatively impacted by the depreciation of the Euro against the Renminbi in the fourth quarter of 2008.

(2) We compute average selling price of PV modules per watt for a given
period as the total sales of PV modules divided by the total watts of
the PV modules sold during such period, and translated into U.S.
dollars at the noon buying rate at the end of such period as certified
for customs purpose by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit in the fourth quarter of 2008 was RMB 232.9 million (US$34.1 million), a decrease of 52.7% from RMB 492.6 million in the third quarter of 2008 and a decrease of 35.2% from RMB 359.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. Gross margin was 13.2% in the fourth quarter of 2008, down from 22.3% in the third quarter of 2008 and 24.7% in the fourth quarter of 2007. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to the decrease in the average selling price caused primarily by weakened macroeconomic conditions and the depreciation of the Euro against the Renminbi, and was partially offset by the reduced unit cost of PV modules resulting from lower cost of blended polysilicon in the fourth quarter of 2008 and lower polysilicon usage per watt achieved through the Company's continued research and development efforts.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2008 were RMB 135.1 million (US$19.8 million), compared to RMB 115.5 million in the third quarter of 2008 and RMB 92.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. Operating expenses as a percentage of total net revenues increased to 7.7% in the fourth quarter of 2008 from 5.2% in the third quarter of 2008 and 6.4% in the fourth quarter of 2007. The increase in operating expenses as a percentage of total net revenues was primarily attributable to higher research and development expenses, increased general and administrative expenses relating to financing transactions recognized in the fourth quarter of 2008, and decreased total net revenues.

Operating Income and Margin

Operating income in the fourth quarter of 2008 was RMB 97.8 million (US$14.3 million), a decrease of 74.1% from RMB 377.1 million in the third quarter of 2008 and a decrease of 63.4% from RMB 267.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. Operating margin decreased to 5.6% in the fourth quarter of 2008 from 17.1% in the third quarter of 2008 and 18.4% in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was RMB 48.5 million (US$7.1 million) in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to RMB 31.6 million in the third quarter of 2008 and RMB 19.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. The increase in interest expense was consistent with both the increase in short-term borrowings from RMB 1,794.9 million as of September 30, 2008 to RMB 2,044.2 million (US$299.6 million) as of December 31, 2008 and the increase in long-term bank borrowings from RMB 340.9 million as of September 30, 2008 to RMB 663.0 million (US$97.2 million) as of December 31, 2008. The weighted average interest rate for these borrowings in the fourth quarter of 2008 was 7.18%, which increased from 6.76% in the third quarter of 2008.

Foreign Currency Exchange Gain (Loss)

Foreign currency exchange gain was RMB 68.7 million (US$10.1 million) in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to a foreign currency exchange loss of RMB 133.1 million in the third quarter of 2008 and a foreign currency exchange loss of RMB 29.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. The foreign currency exchange gain in the fourth quarter of 2008 was primarily due to a gain of RMB 107.0 million from foreign currency forward contracts realized in the fourth quarter of 2008, which was partially offset by an exchange loss of RMB 38.3 million from foreign currency denominated transactions, primarily accounts receivables and raw material prepayments denominated in Euros, as the Euro depreciated by 3.41% against the Renminbi in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Income Tax Benefit (Expense)

Income tax benefit was RMB 17.0 million (US$2.5 million) in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to RMB 0.2 million in the third quarter of 2008 and an income tax expense of RMB 15.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. The increase in income tax benefit was mainly due to a decrease of RMB 14.5 million (US$2.1 million) in enterprise income tax expense, which resulted from a decrease in the estimated future income tax rates since Tianwei Yingli and Yingli Energy (China) Co., Ltd (''Yingli China''), the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, were recognized by the Chinese government in December 2008 as ''High and New Technology Enterprises'' entitled to a preferential enterprise income tax rate of 15% under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law.

Net Income

As a result of the factors discussed above, net income was RMB 100.6 million (US$14.7 million) in the fourth quarter of 2008, a decrease of 33.3% from RMB 150.8 million in the third quarter of 2008 and a decrease of 27.3% from RMB 138.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. Diluted earnings per ordinary share and per ADS were RMB 0.79 (US$0.12) in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to RMB 1.17 in the third quarter of 2008.

On an adjusted non-GAAP basis, which excludes share-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets arising from purchase price allocation in connection with a series of acquisitions of equity interest in Tianwei Yingli, an operating subsidiary of the Company, net income was RMB 126.8 million (US$18.6 million) in the fourth quarter of 2008, down 27.7% from RMB 175.3 million in the third quarter of 2008. Adjusted non-GAAP diluted earnings per ordinary share and per ADS were RMB 0.99 (US$0.15) in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to RMB 1.35 in the third quarter of 2008.

Balance Sheet Analysis

As of December 31, 2008, Yingli Green Energy had RMB 1,108.9 million (US$162.5 million) in cash and RMB 3,224.1 million (US$472.6 million) in working capital, compared to RMB 737.1 million in cash and RMB 3,372.8 million in working capital as of September 30, 2008. Short-term borrowings increased from RMB 1,794.9 million in the third quarter of 2008 to RMB 2,044.2 million (US$299.6 million) in the fourth quarter of 2008. Long-term bank borrowings increased from RMB 340.9 million in the third quarter of 2008 to RMB 663.0 million (US$97.2 million) in the fourth quarter of 2008. As of the date of this press release, the Company had approximately RMB 4,545 million in authorized lines of credit, of which RMB 3,040 million had been utilized. Days sales outstanding was 75 days in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to 48 days in the third quarter of 2008, primarily as a result of weakened macroeconomic conditions.

Full Year 2008 Results

Total Net Revenues

Total net revenues for the full year 2008 were RMB 7,553.0 million (US$1,107.1 million), which increased by 86.1% from RMB 4,059.3 million in the year of 2007. The increase was primarily due to a significant rise in total shipments of PV modules, which increased to 281.5 MW in 2008 from 142.5 MW in 2007. The increase in total shipments was primarily due to the Company's expanded sales and marketing efforts in Europe, supported by the completion of an additional 200 MW of total production capacity of polysilicon ingots and wafers, PV cells and PV modules in September 2008. The average selling price for PV modules for the full year 2008 was US$3.88 per watt, slightly higher than US$3.86 per watt in 2007.

Gross Profit and Margin

Gross profit for the full year 2008 was RMB 1,629.6 million (US$238.9 million), which increased by 70.3% from RMB 956.8 million in the year of 2007. Gross margin was 21.6% for the full year 2008, compared to 23.6% in 2007. The decrease in gross margin for the full year 2008 was primarily due to the lower gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2008, which was the result of significantly weakened macroeconomic conditions in the fourth quarter of 2008 and the depreciation of the Euro and the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the full year 2008 were RMB 476.3 million (US$69.8 million), an increase of 71.8% from RMB 277.3 million in 2007. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to higher research and development expenses and increased marketing and promotional efforts resulting from the Company's expanded scale of operations. Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased to 6.3% in the full year 2008 from 6.8% in the year of 2007, primarily due to economies of scale and better control of sales and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the full year 2008 was RMB 149.2 million (US$21.9 million), an increase of 130.1% from RMB 64.8 million in 2007. The increase in interest expense was consistent with the increase in short-term borrowings from RMB 1,261.3 million as of December 31, 2007 to RMB 2,044.2 million (US$299.6 million) as of December 31, 2008 and the increase in long-term bank borrowings from nil as of December 31, 2007 to RMB 663.0 million (US$97.2 million) as of December 31, 2008. The weighted average interest rate for these borrowings in 2008 was 6.61%, which increased from 5.97% in 2007.

Income Tax Benefit (Expense)

Income tax benefit was RMB 19.5 million (US$2.9 million) for the full year 2008, compared to an income tax expense of RMB 12.9 million for the full year 2007. The increase in income tax benefit was mainly due to a decrease of RMB 14.5 million (US$2.1 million) in enterprise income tax expense, which resulted from a decrease in the estimated future income tax rates since Tianwei Yingli and Yingli China were recognized by the Chinese government in December 2008 as ''High and New Technology Enterprises'' entitled to a preferential enterprise income tax rate of 15% under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law.

Net Income

Net income was RMB 682.1 million (US$100.0 million) and fully diluted earnings per ordinary share and per ADS were RMB 5.27 (US$0.77) for the full year 2008.

On an adjusted non-GAAP basis, which excludes share-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets arising from purchase price allocation in connection with a series of acquisitions of equity interest in Tianwei Yingli, net income was RMB 782.8 million (US$114.7 million) for the full year 2008. Adjusted non-GAAP fully diluted earnings per ordinary share and per ADS were RMB 6.04 (US$0.89) for the full year 2008.

Fourth Quarter 2008 and Recent Business Highlights

Sales
-- As of the date of this press release, the Company had signed sales
contracts for the delivery of approximately 317.4 MW of PV modules in
2009.

Financing
-- Yingli China entered into a credit agreement with a fund managed by
Asia Debt Management Hong Kong Limited for a three-year loan facility
of up to US$80.0 million.
-- In connection with its acquisition of Cyber Power, the Company
committed to issue senior secured convertible notes totaling up to
US$50.0 million to Trustbridge Partners II, L.P., US$20.0 million of
which has been issued.
-- Yingli China entered into an eight-year US$70 million loan agreement
with China Development Bank.
-- Tianwei Yingli entered into a new credit line trade finance facility
agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China ("China Eximbank"),
which brought the aggregate credit line available from China Eximbank
to RMB 1.0 billion or its U.S. dollar equivalent.
-- Long term credit facility agreement, entered into with DEG - Deutsche
Investitions - und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH and the Netherlands
Development Finance Company, expanded to US$75 million with the
inclusion of The Societe de Promotion et de Participation pour la
Cooperation Economique to the lending group.

Others
-- Appointment of a new Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Dengyuan Song, who
has more than 27 years of experience in the research and development of
photovoltaic cells, silicon materials and semiconductor PV devices.
-- Tianwei Yingli and Yingli China were recognized by the Chinese
government as ''High and New Technology Enterprises'' entitled to a
preferential enterprise income tax rate of 15% for three years under
the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law.
-- Completion of US$77.6 million acquisition of Cyber Power Group Limited,
which, through its principal operating subsidiary in China, Fine
Silicon Co., Ltd., plans to begin production of solar-grade polysilicon
in the second half of 2009.
-- Appointment of a new Vice President of Technology, Mr. Jingfeng Xiong,
a highly respected executive and engineer with a wealth of theoretical
knowledge and practical experience in research and development and
manufacturing at Yingli Green Energy.
-- Entered into memorandum of understanding with TUV Rheinland (Shanghai)
Co., Ltd. to form a strategic partnership covering a range of quality
control initiatives at the Company.

Business Outlook for Full Year 2009

Based on current market and operating conditions, estimated production capacity and forecasted customer demand, as well as current exchange rates for the U.S. dollar, Euro and Renminbi, the Company reaffirms that its PV module shipment target is expected to be in the estimated range of 550 MW to 600 MW for fiscal year 2009, which represents an increase of 96.1% to 113.9% compared to fiscal year 2008, subject to, among other factors, the successful installation and ramp-up of the Company's additional 200 MW planned expansion in the third quarter of 2009.

In addition, after taking into consideration the Company's mid- to long-term virgin polysilicon supply agreements, estimated polysilicon prices in 2009, the negative impact of expected decreases in the average selling price of PV modules and further depreciation of the Euro against the U.S. dollar, the Company currently expects that its gross margin target for fiscal year 2009 to be in the estimated range of 22% to 24%.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals in the United States, or GAAP, this press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share and per ADS, each of which is adjusted to exclude items related to share-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets arising from purchase price allocation in connection with a series of acquisitions of equity interest in Tianwei Yingli, an operating subsidiary of the Company. The Company believes excluding these items from its non-GAAP financial measures is useful for its management and investors to assess and analyze the Company's core operating results as such items are not directly attributable to the underlying performance of the Company's business operations and do not impact its cash earnings. The Company also believes these non-GAAP financial measures are important to help investors understand the Company's current financial performance and future prospects and compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. For a reconciliation of each of these non- GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, please see the financial information included elsewhere in this press release.

Currency Convenience Translation

The conversion of Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the fourth quarter and full year 2008 in this earnings release, made solely for the purpose of reader's convenience, is based on the noon buying rate in the New York City for cable transfers of Renminbi as certified for customs purpose by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of December 31, 2008, which was RMB 6.8225 to US$1.00. No representation is intended to imply that the Renminbi amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into U.S. dollars at such rate, or at any other rate. The percentages stated in this earnings release are calculated based on Renminbi.

China to build a 10 MW solar PV power plant in Dunhuang

2009-02-06T10:47:00.000+08:00

BEIJING, Feb 05, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- On March 20, China's economic planner, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), will unveil who wins the bid for constructing a 10 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation plant in Dunhuang of Northwest China's Gansu Province.

"By now, 38 enterprises have joined the bidding for the construction job including one from Denmark, one from Germany and 36 domestic ones," said Zhao Pingqian, an official with Dunhuang's development and reform commission.

Chinese bidders include China Power Investment Corporation, China Huaneng Group, China Guodian Corporation, China Datang Corporation, China Huadian Corporation and Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (STP.NYSE), according to Zhao.

Covering one million square meters, the solar PV power plant involves a total investment of 500 million yuan and will generate on average 16.37 million kilowatt hours of electricity each year.

Zhao said, "Bidders paid a visit to the building site in mid January and a briefing is expected to be held in February."

The bid winners are obligated to complete the construction of the solar PV power plant within 18 months and are franchised to operate the project for 25 years, according to NDRC.

Statistics show that China has only approved three solar PV power generation projects, including one 1-MW project on Shanghai's Chongming Island and one 225-KW project in Ordos of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

China To Invest $85 Billion In Energy Sector

2009-02-06T10:41:00.001+08:00

February 4, 2009

Chinese state media announced Wednesday the country would invest 580 billion yuan ($85 billion) to expand its energy industry in 2009, including investment in nuclear and wind-powered capacity.

State-owned power companies are increasing their investments to meet growing demand and boost economic growth. In addition to increased investment in coal-fired generation, plans call for spending on wind, nuclear and solar power, according to Chinese state television.

China will build eight more nuclear plants with a total of 16 reactors over the next three years, according to the China Daily newspaper.

The country has 11 nuclear reactors supplying about 1% of its power, and Beijing wants to raise that share to 5%, said the newspaper.

Source: http://www.cleantechbrief.com

Yingli Green Energy Appoints New Chief Technology Officer

2009-02-06T10:31:00.001+08:00

BAODING, China, Feb. 3 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE) (''Yingli Green Energy'' or the ''Company''), one of the world's leading vertically integrated photovoltaic (''PV'') product manufacturers, today announced the appointment of Dr. Dengyuan Song to the position of Chief Technology Officer. Dr. Song will oversee Yingli Green Energy's research and development initiatives, particularly the development of state-of-the-art and cost-competitive PV products as an integral part of the Company's overall business strategies. Dr. Song will replace Dr. Guoxiao Yao, who has resigned to pursue other interests.

Dr. Song has more than 27 years of experience in the research and development of solar cells, silicon materials, and semiconductor PV devices in both Australia and China, including nearly 10 years of research and development in silicon-based solar cells, polycrystalline silicon thin-film solar cells and third-generation solar cells at the ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Prior to joining UNSW, Dr. Song served as a professor at Hebei University in China, where his teaching and research covered a broad spectrum of topics, including solar cells, silicon materials, photoelectric devices and automation engineering. Dr. Song has published and presented over 150 papers in scientific and technical journals and at various PV industry conferences.

''I am very pleased to welcome Dr. Song to the Yingli team,'' said Mr. Liansheng Miao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yingli Green Energy. ''We believe Dr. Song's deep industry knowledge and extensive technical expertise will contribute to our leadership in the renewable energy sector. We have always recognized the importance of improving yield rates, increasing cost savings and enhancing cell conversion efficiencies. We look forward to having Dr. Song lead our efforts in these areas while strengthening our focus on innovation and the creation of superior technology throughout the Company.''

''We greatly appreciate the contributions Dr. Yao made during his tenure at Yingli and we wish him the best in his future endeavors,'' Mr. Miao concluded.

Canadian Solar launches new PV cell research center in China's Suzhou

2009-02-06T10:29:00.001+08:00

BEIJING, Feb 02, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- China-based solar product producer Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ.Nsadaq) announced that it has officially opened a new PV cell research center in East China's Suzhou in partnership with Dupont, University of Toronto and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

This research center will consolidate all R&D facilities of Canadian Solar in one place in order to heighten the efficiency and product yield of both regular polysilicon cells and proprietary solar grade e-cells.

Now, the research center is staffed with 20 scientists, engineers and technicians with ultimate workers to be as many as 38.

Canadian Solar has paid most of the outlay for the construction of this facility in 2008, which will have total cost of 10 million U.S. dollars and 1,500 square meters of acreage.

Qu Xiaohua, chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar, said that this solar company aims to improve average cell efficiency for polysilicon/monocrystalline cells to 18.5 percent and solar grade cells to 15.5 percent within 12 months.

The cooperation between Canadian Solar and DuPont will focus on solar grade cells, according to Canadian Solar.

Canadian Solar has chosen selective emitter, N-type and back-contact cells and other high efficiency structures for study in a bid to raise efficiency.

Trina Solar Signs Sales Agreement With GA Solar

2009-01-31T10:35:00.002+08:00

Friday, Jan 30, 2009

CHANGZHOU, China, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ --Trina Solar Limited a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules, today announced that its subsidiary, Changzhou Trina Solar Energy Co.,Ltd., entered into a sales agreement with Spanish customer Gestamp Asetym Solar, S.L. ("GA Solar"). The agreement was signed during the recent World Future Energy Summit 2009 in Abu Dhabi,held on January 19-21.

Under the terms of this agreement, Trina Solar will supply GA Solar between 20 to 36 MW of PV modules for one year at pre-determined prices. Shipments under this agreement have recently been initiated.

"We are excited to have entered into this sales agreement which affirms our successful long-term supply partnership with GA Solar in the past," stated Mr. Arturo Herrero, Vice-President of Sales & Marketing of Trina Solar. "GA Solar's plan to implement new solar projects in markets such as Italy, Greece, the United States and the Middle East will be supported by their parent company's presence in over twenty countries, and we believe that our experience in working with PV system integrators can play an important part in GA's expansion plan."

"This agreement reinforces and confirms the strategic alliance between both companies," declared Mr. Jose Maria Rodriguez Paraja, Strategic Development Director of GA Solar. "This association assures a high quality technical solution that will enable us to successfully approach diverse PV markets worldwide, thereby assuring our needed requirements are fulfilled in terms of reliability, competitiveness and excellence proven by Trina Solar in our recent years of partnership.

Suntech and Standard Solar Reach 5 Megawatt Solar Panel Supply Agreement

2009-01-31T10:26:00.001+08:00

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO and GAITHERSBURG, Md., Jan. 27/PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's leading manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) modules, and Standard Solar, Inc. are looking forward to powering cleaner energy solutions throughout the Mid-Atlantic U.S. under a new agreement by which Suntech will supply up to 5 megawatts of photovoltaic solar panels to the Maryland-based solar developerand installer during 2009.

"Partnering with Suntech, a top-tier manufactureroffering a broad assortment of high-quality solar panels, better equipsStandard Solar to fulfill its rapidly growing customer requirements from NewJersey and Pennsylvania to North Carolina and Virginia," said ScottWiater, Vice President of Procurement at Standard Solar.

"Suntech looks forward to partnering with StandardSolar in supplying cleaner, cost-effective solutions to businesses, governmentagencies and homeowners. In addition to reducing the dependence on highlypolluting fossil fuels, we believe that the solar industry can also help togenerate new domestic, green jobs," said Roger Efird, President, SuntechAmerica, Inc.

In his address after taking the oath of office and becomingthe nation's 44th President, Barack Obama called for Americans to "harnessthe sun . . . to meet the demands of a new age."

"This agreement," said Standard Solar Presidentand Chief Executive Officer Anthony Clifford, "strengthens our ability torespond to this challenge. We cannot agree more with our new President when headded from the West front of the U.S. Capitol: "All this we can do. Andall this we will do."

Standard Solar looks forward to deploying Suntech's high-quality panels in solar solutions that deliver cost-effective power.Recently, Standard Solar helped Kelly & Sons Electrical Construction sourceits electricity supply through a power purchase agreement with Washington GasEnergy Services. Find more information about this power purchase agreement athttp://www.standardsolar.com/News-and-Events/Press-Releases.aspx.

Suntech recently achieved 1 gigawatt of global solar panel production capacity. In doing so, it completed an 18,000 square meter, 1megawatt solar facade -- the world's largest to date -- at its new world headquarters in Wuxi, China. You can find a photo of this precedent-setting application on Suntech's website at http://www.suntech-power.com under Press:Press Assets.

ReneSola secures funding for Sichuan facility

2009-01-31T10:02:00.000+08:00

1/27/2009

JIASHAN, CHINA: Solar wafer manufacturer ReneSola subsidiary Sichuan ReneSola Material has signed a RMB 800 million (US$117 million) five year project loan agreement with the Sichuan branch of China Construction Bank to support the construction of a polysilicon production facility in Meishan, Sichuan province.

ReneSola Chief Financial Officer Charles Bai said that the company had now secured around 90 percent of the capital needed to fund the project to completion.

Pilot production for phase one of the Sichuan polysilicon facility is expected to begin late in the second quarter of 2009, while phase two will begin late in the third quarter. Each phase will consist of 1,500 metric tons (1,476 tons) of polysilicon production.

The facility will provide ReneSola with a stable source of polysilicon feedstock for its wafers.

Suntech Reports Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 Financial Results

2009-01-31T09:47:00.002+08:00

Company Exceeds Fourth Quarter Revenue and Full Year PV Product Shipment Guidance; Announces Repurchase of $93.8 Million of Convertible Senior Notes SAN FRANCISCO and WUXI, China, Jan. 23

SAN FRANCISCO and WUXI, China, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Suntech Power
Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest photovoltaic (PV) module
manufacturer, today announced preliminary financial results for the fourth
quarter and full year 2008.

For the fourth quarter of 2008, Suntech expects total net revenues to be
in the range of $405 million to $420 million, above previously issued guidance
of revenues in the range of $345 million to $360 million. Full year 2008 total
net revenues are expected to be in the range of $1.91 billion to $1.93 billion
and full year 2008 PV product shipments are expected to be in the range of
493MW to 496MW.

As a result of the rapid decline in silicon prices in the fourth quarter,
Suntech expects to make an inventory provision in the range of $46 million to
$58 million, which would have a negative impact to the gross margin of 11% to
14%. Fourth quarter 2008 consolidated GAAP gross margin is expected to be in
the range of -1% to 2%.

"We are pleased to have exceeded our revised revenue and shipment guidance
for the fourth quarter and full year 2008," said Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's
Chairman and CEO. "While the weakening macro-economic environment and limited
availability of credit has led to rapid changes in market conditions and
reduced visibility, we believe that there is relatively strong underlying
demand for Suntech products. We also believe that in this challenging
environment, customers recognize the value in partnering with Suntech due to
our reputation for consistently delivering premium quality modules, record of
very successful projects, localized customer service and commitment to solar
innovation."

Convertible Senior Notes Repurchase and Investment Impairment

During the fourth quarter of 2008, Suntech conducted open market
repurchases of Suntech's 0.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2012. Through
December 31, 2008, Suntech re-purchased $93.8 million aggregate principal
amount of the Convertible Senior Notes for a total cash consideration of $61.0
million. As a result, Suntech realized a net gain of approximately $30 million.
Suntech may from time to time seek to make additional repurchases of its
Convertible Senior Notes. Such repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing
market conditions, our liquidity requirements and other factors.

Due to the rapid decline in silicon prices and difficult financing
environment, Suntech expects to incur an expense related to the impairment of
Suntech's investments in Nitol Solar and Hoku Materials. The total value of
the investment impairment is expected to be in the range of approximately $49
million to $52 million.

As of December 31, 2008, Suntech's cash and cash equivalents balance was
approximately $508 million, which is approximately $113 million higher than
the cash and cash equivalents balance at the end of the third quarter of 2008.
Cash and cash equivalents increased primarily due to the liquidation of some
short term investments and the accelerated collection of some Value Added Tax
Recoverable.

Amy Zhang, Suntech's Chief Financial Officer, said, "The prudent
restructuring of our balance sheet enabled us to simultaneously reduce our
Convertible Senior Notes commitment and increase our cash balance during the
fourth quarter. With our relatively strong financial status, we believe we are
well positioned to weather the global economic downturn and capitalize on the
long term growth potential of the solar industry."

The Company also announced that it had reduced the workforce by
approximately 800 employees as a result of ongoing performance evaluation in
the fourth quarter of 2008. In addition, Suntech suspended the hiring of a
further 2,000 new staff in line with the Company's decision to maintain
production capacity at 1GW as a result of the difficult economic environment.
Suntech will consider further expansion and hiring when market conditions
improve. Suntech's headcount as of December 31, 2008 was 9,070.

The estimates presented in this press release are preliminary. Adjustments
to the estimates and projections set forth in this press release may be
identified as a result of, among other things, finalization of the company's
financial closing procedures and external audit process for the year ended
December 31, 2008. As such, these estimates and our expectations set forth
herein may change materially.

Suntech will hold a conference call to discuss fourth quarter and full
year 2008 financial results at 8am EST on February 18, 2009. For further
information and dial in details please visit http://www.suntech-power.com
under Investor Center: Financial Events.

Alcom Solar Equipments Obtained CNY78 mln VC from Govtor

2009-01-31T09:43:00.002+08:00

The CNY78 million venture capital invested by Govtor will be used for Jiangyin Alcom’s development of solar battery fittings and solar integrated system, as well as its R&D center.

PRLog (Press Release) – Jan 21, 2009 – Jiangyin Alcom Solar Equipments Co., Ltd had signed strategic investment agreement with Jiangsu High-Tech Investment Group (Govtor) on Jan, 18, 2009 in order to maintain its leading position. The CNY78 million venture capital invested by Govtor will be used for Jiangyin Alcom’s development of solar battery fittings and solar integrated system, as well as its R&D center.

Founded in Mar, 2006, the sales revenue of Jiangyin Alcom reached CNY400 million in 2008. Its key product, aluminum frame special for solar battery panel, its precision has achieved 0.02mm, meeting the international advanced requirements. In addition, its solar frame had topped in the world successively from 2007 to 2008, accounting for 15% all over the globe. Alcom also had established the first solar fitting R&D center in Jun, 2008, and had applied for over 50 patents. Meanwhile, the first production line of solar EVA adhesive film with independent intellectual property rights, which Alcom had invested CNY80 million R&D expense, had been put into trial production in the beginning of 2009.

Govtor is one of the early provincial professional venture capital organizations in China. It has led and participated 27 professional venture capital funds in recent years, the management assets has reached CNY5 billion, and the accumulative investment projects has amounted to more than 140, as well as has helped 12 companies go public in domestic and international capital market. After the cooperation with Alcom, it will help Alcom to make, adjust and perfect the long-term development strategy, adjust optimizing business combination, integrate industry chain, and assist to establish standard management system and corporate structure, bring in strategic investors and high-grade management talents, and make up reasonable plans for going public.

ReneSola Announces Wafer Supply Agreement With BP Solar

2009-01-20T21:12:00.002+08:00

JIASHAN, China, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- ReneSola Ltd (''ReneSola'' or the ''Company''), a leading Chinese manufacturer of solar wafers, today announced that it has signed a one-year wafer supply agreement with BP Solar International Inc. (''BP Solar''). Under the terms of the contract, ReneSola will supply BP Solar with 120 megawatts (''MW'') of monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar wafers in 2009 and BP Solar will supply 700 metric tonnes of polysilicon to ReneSola.

''We are pleased to extend our relationship with BP Solar, one of the world's leading solar companies,'' commented Mr. Xianshou Li, ReneSola's chief executive officer. ''This contract demonstrates our continuing efforts to strengthen ties with existing global customers and expand our international business beyond Asia.''

About ReneSola

ReneSola Ltd (''ReneSola'') is a leading global manufacturer of solar wafers based in China. Capitalizing on proprietary technologies and technical know-how, ReneSola manufactures monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar wafers. In addition, ReneSola strives to enhance its competitiveness through upstream integration into virgin polysilicon manufacturing. ReneSola possesses a global network of suppliers and customers that include some of the leading global manufacturers of solar cells and modules. ReneSola's shares are currently traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: SOL) and the AIM of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: SOLA). For more information about ReneSola, please visit www.renesola.com .

About BP Solar

BP Solar, part of BP Alternative Energy, is a global company with over 2300 employees. BP Solar designs, manufactures and markets products which use the sun's energy to generate electricity for a wide range of applications in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. With over 30 years of experience and installations in more than 160 countries, BP Solar is one of the world's leading solar companies with solar cell and module manufacturing plants in Bangalore, India; Madrid, Spain; and Frederick, MD, USA; and module manufacturing in Xi'an, China. In Frederick it also has casting and wafering facilities. BP Solar invests more than $10m annually in photovoltaic research and development.

BP Alternative Energy, launched in November 2005, combines all of BP's interests in low and zero-carbon energy including wind, solar, hydrogen power with carbon capture and storage and biofuels for low carbon transport and distributed energy for emerging markets.

BP is one of the world's largest energy companies, with interests in more than 100 countries and over 96,000 employees.

LDK Solar Starts Polysilicon Project

2009-01-20T21:05:00.000+08:00

XINYU, Jan 19, 2009 (SinoCast Daily Business Beat via COMTEX) --Chinese solar wafer producer LDK Solar Co., Ltd. recently held an ceremony for the operation of the Phase I of its 16,000-ton polysilicon project in Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province, East China.

The project that broke earth in February 2008 adopts the world-class modified Siemens processes, and it is expected to rank top worldwide by production cost and energy consumption after fully operation.

The firm is to start running the Phase II, which will be capable of producing 5,000 tons of polysilicon per year and is part of a 15,000-ton plant, in mid-2009.

LDK Solar targets to have annual polysilicon production capacity of 16,000 tons at 2009-end, and it will use all the output to make solar wafer, in a bid to secure raw material supply and lower production cost. Besides, the rising polysilicon production capacity will help the company materialize the target of become capable of producing 3,200 megawatts of solar wafer in 2010.

Abu Dhabi Picks Suntech, First Solar for 10MW Solar Farm in Masdar City

2009-01-20T20:58:00.004+08:00

Masdar, a government-funded project, is set to rise from 6.5 square kilometers of desert land and powered mostly by solar.

by: Ucilia Wang
January 18, 2009

ABU DHABI -- Low-cost and high-volume manufacturing were apparently among the selling points that won two companies contracts to build Masdar City's first, 10-megawatt solar farm.

Managers of Abu Dhabi's ambitious project to build a zero-emission technology utopia in the desert named China's Suntech Power Holdings Sunday as the second company that is providing 5 megawatts worth of solar panels for the power plant. First Solar, based in Tempe, Ariz., made it known three days earlier that it won the other 5-megawatt contract.

Masdar City is the brainchild of Masdar, a government-funded initiative that invests in all sorts of greentech companies. Part of the plan is to build a massive city powered by renewable energy and occupied by greentech companies. When completed in 2016, the 6.5-square-kilometer city would be able to house about 50,000 people.

Abu Dhabi, known for its rich oil reserves, hopes to stake a new claim to fame through Masdar. Like its neighbor Dubai, Abu Dhabi is keen on finding new sources of revenues to brace for the day when oil isn't so plentiful.

Masdar has teamed up with solar companies to build solar and wind power plants in Europe (see Masdar Heats Up Concentrating Solar and Masdar Bets on Massive Offshore Wind Park). It also is building a factory to produce solar panels (see Masdar Breaks Ground on $230M Solar Factory).

"This is going to become the first model of a sustainable city," Khalid Awad, director of property development for Masdar, during a press event.

The 10-megawatt solar farm is being erected in the sand, and it's scheduled to be completed and hooked to the electric grid in March this year, said Khalid Ballaith, a project manager with Masdar. The solar farm is costing about 185 million dirhams ($50 million) to build, said Sander Trestain, a project manager at Environmena, the generator contractor for the $22 billion Masdar City build out.

The solar farm will be used to power Masdar City's construction, which started in 2008. Its first residents will be the 100 students and professors of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. They plan to move in by September this year.

Madsar is planning on building 240 megawatts worth of power plants overall for the city, Awad said.

Awad and other Masdar representatives showed off the project's progress to journalists Sunday as a prelude to the three-day energy by Masdar called "World Future Energy Summit."

The summit is attracting executives from public and startup companies in solar, wind, geothermal, water and other greentech businesses from around the world. Tony Blair will give a speech.

Masdar City planners envision using solar panels to generate 80 percent of the electricity the city needs, and many of the panels will go on rooftops, said Sameer Abu Zaid, who oversees a competition to test and select solar panel providers for the project. The remainder will come from other types of solar technologies, such as solar thermal, as well electricity generated from wastes and other fuel sources.

At one of the stops of the press tour, Zaid walked around rows of solar panels provided by companies from Japan, Germany, the United States, China and even Italy. The companies included Conergy, Yingli Green Energy, Trina Solar and Isofoton.

Masdar is trying out crystalline silicon panels as well as thin-film versions that much less silicon or different materials all together. In all, 33 companies are setting up 40 systems for Masdar. Solyndra, a Fremont, Calif.-based start and whose investors include Masdar, is still setting up its unusual, solar cell-lined tubes.

Masdar is using the contest to see how the panels perform in the desert, where wind and sand can easily dirty them and curb their ability to generate electricity. Zaid declined to say whose system has performed the best or provide costs for buying and running those systems.

Awad said the impact of the global economic downturn on the Masdar City project isn't known yet. He said given that customers are hard to come by for solar companies these days, Masdar project should become even more attractive. He noted that Masdar already has benefited from falling prices in solar panels and construction materials such as steel in recent months.

China PV module sector sees departure of 70% of makers

2009-01-18T19:59:00.001+08:00

Nuying Huang, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES [Thursday 15 January 2009]

China's photovoltaic (PV) module sector, faced with fast decreasing global demand, saw a drastic reshuffling process in the fourth quarter of 2008 and as many as 250, or 70%, of its originally 350 makers have been forced out of the market because of relatively unhealthy corporate structure and poorer competitiveness, with about 100 large ones remaining, according to industry sources.

The surviving PV module makers are large makers with strong vertical integration, some of whom are invested by government organizations, the sources pointed out. Suntech Power is the largest China-based maker of both solar cells and PV modules with an annual PV module production capacity of 1GWp, followed by Yingli Green Energy with 800-1,000MWp, Trina Solar with 700-800MWp and Solarfun Power with 600MWp, the sources indicated.

Unlike China, Taiwan's PV module industry consists of about 100 independent makers with comparatively small annual production capacities of up to 300MWp, while main makers of solar cells such as Motech Industries and Gintech Energy are unwilling to step into making PV modules because they consider it conflict of interest with their clients from the PV module sector, the sources pointed out.

Canadian Solar to invest 220.28 million yuan in R&D

2009-01-14T20:29:00.001+08:00

SUZHOU, Jan 14, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ.Nsadaq) plans to invest 220.28 million yuan in research and development, the company said recently. The company inaugurated its solar cell engineering technology research center on January 9 in Jiangsu with the aim to build it into one of the world's leading solar cell testing centers.

The R&D center will focus on the research, development and production of high-efficient solar cells and low-cost silicon solar cells made from refined metallurgical silicon.

By now, the company has set up a research team composed of four Ph.D holders and seven master's degree holders, headed by the president.

Meanwhile, it has entered into cooperation with many domestic and international institutions including Dupont China, the Solar Energy Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Energy Research Center of the Netherlands and University of Toronto.

inese Academy of Sciences launches Action Plan for Solar Energy

2009-01-14T20:27:00.001+08:00

January 14, 2009

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) announced the official launching of the Action Plan for Solar Energy on January 12.

The plan is divided into three phases: distributed utilization of solar energy by 2015, substitution utilization by 2025 and extensive utilization by 2035, aiming to make solar energy one of China's important energy sources around 2050.

Reporters learned that CAS will devote all its efforts and collaborate with China's relevant scientific and technological resources to establish a number of public platforms for solar energy technologies as well as research centers.

The focus will be on the key scientific issues concerning the transformation and utilization of solar energy such as photovoltaic, photothermal, photochemical and photobiological techniques.

CAS will strive to make breakthroughs in the areas of theory, methodology, materials and techniques. At the same time, through the integration of production, study and research, the plan will promote the research and development of core techniques, application models and transfer transformations, and eventually the formation of a scientific and innovative value chain for the utilization of solar energy from basic research and application to marketing.

All these will be done in an effort to turn solar energy into a new source of energy that can soon be utilized on a large scale.

By People's Daily Online

ET Solar Announces a 13 MW Agreement with a Large German PV Product Integrator for 2009

2009-01-13T22:32:00.001+08:00

NANJING, China, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- ET Solar Group Corp. ("ET Solar"), a Nanjing-based solar power EPC solution provider and integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic products including ingots, wafers, modules, and state-of-the-art dual-axis tracking systems with manufacturing facilities located in Taizhou, China, announced a 13 megawatts (MW) sales agreement with USE, a large German photovoltaic product integrator and distributor.

According to the signed agreement, ET Solar will deliver a total of 13MW of high-efficiency solar modules to USE between January and November 2009.

Dennis She, Vice President and Chief Sales Officer of ET Solar Group commented, "Our strategic relationship with USE dates from the second half of 2008 when we shipped a substantial module volume to our new strategic German partner. Amid a severe global economic downturn and a more challenging solar industry landscape, this 13MW agreement demonstrates the total customer satisfaction and superior product quality that we achieved in 2008 with our customers. The strong ties we share with a quality name like USE will ensure that ET Solar plays an increasingly significant role in world's largest PV market.

Arnold Berens, CEO of USE commented: "We are very pleased with the strategic relationship with ET Solar, a strong solar PV turnkey service and state-of-the-art equipment provider. Through the business relationship we have had in the past few months, we are convinced that ET Solar is the right long term business partner for us to work with given the excellence in their product quality, pre and after-sales services and business strategy."

About ET Solar

ET Solar is a Nanjing-based solar power solution provider and integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic products including ingots, wafers, modules, and state-of-the-art dual-axis tracking systems with manufacturing facilities located in Taizhou, China. Please contact Public Relations Manager, Simon Laing, for more information at simon@etsolar.com.

About Solar Distributor USE

USE is a German solar Integrator and distributor based in Holzgerlingen, close to Stuttgart. They realize turnkey large-scale systems for their customers which they also service during the operating stage. The company has additional agencies in Germany, Czech Republic and Croatia. For more information please contact Daniel Grunauer and Arnold Berens, phone +49-7031- 20492-0.

LDK Solar delays operation of polysilicon projects

2009-01-13T22:14:00.003+08:00

BEIJING, Jan 13, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- China's wafer manufacturer LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (LDK.NYSE) recently delayed the operation of two polysilicon projects for half a year, involving a production capacity of 6,000 tons.

So the two polysilicon projects will come into operation in the mid of 2009.

Agreements with suppliers of steel, cement and other construction materials need be re-signed when the prices have slumped, and it also takes time to re-check the polysilicon production facilities after some similar facilities in China incurred environmental protection and production accidents continuously, said Yao Feng, spokesman of LDK Solar, when talking about the delay.
It's not necessary either to hurry through the construction project now as the price of polysilicon plunged from 400 U.S. dollars per kg to 150 U.S. dollars per kg, Yao added.

According to a senior official with LDK Solar, some of its customers also asked to postpone the shipment from 2008 to 2009.

LDK Solar had planned to expand the annual production capacity of polysilicon by 6,000 tons within 2008. Included are 5,000 tons from a 15,000-t/y polysilicon project and 1,000 tons from a 1,000-t/y polysilicon project.

Now, the minor one is in trial production but not put in full operation and the bigger one is scheduled to operate in the mid of 2009.

Suntech Laid Off 10%, Factories Running at 50%-60% Capacity

2009-01-13T21:49:00.003+08:00

The Chinese solar panel maker refutes claims made by a news story reporting that the company has carried out a massive layoff.
by: Ucilia Wang
January 12, 2009

After a Chinese news report claimed Suntech Power Holdings (NYSE: STP) was planning a massive layoff, the solar panel maker on Monday said the report was inaccurate but disclosed that it did cut 10 percent of its workforce in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Economic downturn prompted the world's largest solar panel maker to chop roughly 800 people from the payrolls, said Steve Chadima, vice president of external affairs at Suntech.

The layoffs affected mostly contract factory workers, who were let go as the company reduced its production, Chadima added. Back in Novmber, Suntech trimmed its sales forecast for 2008, blaming the weak euro and credit crunch. The company has several factories in China, and the layoffs took place at the main factory near its headquarters in Wuxi.

"We were slowing down production because of this worldwide slow down in demand for modules," Chadima said.

Suntech's investor relation staff called major investors Monday trying to correct a news report by a business daily in China that appeared on Saturday and posted on Sina.com. A research firm, JLM Pacific Epoch translated the story into English and posted on its Website.

The original, Chinese version of the story, which cited a former Suntech employee, said Suntech started laying off employees in the last quarter, and the workforce reduction would reach 4,000 people, or 30 percent of the company's workforce, around now.

The story included comments from a Suntech spokesman, who didn't refute the numbers. The spokesman said the staff cut was seasonal because market demand is typically low during the winter.

But Suntech representatives said Monday the Chinese news report exaggerated the layoffs. Four thousand employees would've represented 50 percent of Suntech's workforce, Chadima said.

Suntech has no immediate plans to cut more staff, Chadima said. The company is putting off on its previous plan to hire more factory employees in 2009 until it can better determine market demand.

The Chinese news report also mentioned that some workers were asked to take a long holiday break without pay, and that the company cut executive salaries. Chadima, who initially told Greentech Media that some factory employees did take a two-week break -- instead of one-week -- without pay, called back to say that in fact the workers took paid vacation.

He added that the company didn't cut salaries for the executives. Instead, managers didn't take the year-end bonuses for 2008 "to deal with financial challenges in the next few months."

The company's factories are running at 50 percent to 60 percent capacity, which falls in line with the guidance the company has given to investors. The company recently celebrated reaching a 1-gigawatt production capacity for its solar cells and panels.

Suntech isn't alone in laying off employees. OptiSolar, based in Hayward, Calif., laid off 300 employees – or 50 percent of its staff. HelioVolt, which opened its first-ever solar panel factory last October in Austin, Texas, also has cut staff. SunEdison, a large solar power plant developer in Beltsville, Md., let go 50 to 60 people, a former SunEdison employee told Greentech Media.

Other solar companies, including Q-Cells in Germany and LDK Solar in China, have cut their 2009 sales and production forecast.

Suntech Reaches 1 GW of Solar Cell & Module Production Capacity

2009-01-10T23:19:00.001+08:00

San Francisco, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]

Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. has reached 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) cell and module production capacity in Wuxi, China. The company also announced the opening of its new headquarters in Wuxi that incorporates a 1-megawatt (MW) grid-connected building integrated solar facade.

"Since our inception, we have focused on rapidly building world-class manufacturing facilities that can meet the burgeoning global demand for green energy."-- Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Chairman and CEO, Suntech

"We are very proud to become the world's first PV solar company to achieve 1 GW 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's new solar headquarters in Wuxi is an 18,000 square meter building that incorporates one of the world's largest on-grid photovoltaic facade systems. The system includes more than 2,552 semi-transparent Light Thru solar panels and will have an annual output of more than 1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity.

This announcement comes as other companies have started to scale back production estimates for 2009 because of polysilicon supply issues, market conditions and the problems that still exist in the world's credit markets following late 2008's record stock slide around the world.

Yingli Acquisition Marks Company's Expansion Into Polysilicon

2009-01-08T14:36:00.000+08:00

Vertically integrated photovoltaic product manufacturer Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE:YGE) announced on Thursday that it had completed the acquisition of Cyber Power Group Limited, the parent company of Baoding-based polysilicon producer Fine Silicon Co. Ltd. Yingli Green Energy paid $77.6 million to Cyber Power affiliate Grand Avenue Group, which is controlled by Yingli CEO Liansheng Miao, Baoding Yingli Group Company Limited and Yingli subsidiary Yingli Energy (China) Company.

Cyber Power's Fine Silicon subsidiary is a development stage enterprise that is scheduled to begin manufacturing polysilicon in the second half of 2009. The acquisition expands Yingli's production capacity to include solar-grade polysilicon, said Yingli chief financial officer Zongwei Li.

LDK Solar Lowers Sales Outlook, Delays Factory Plan

2009-01-06T20:52:00.003+08:00

January 5, 2009

LDK Solar on Monday slashed its sales and shipment estimates for the fourth quarter of 2008 and is now expecting a lackluster 2009, news that caused its stock to plunge by 15 percent.

The Chinese maker of silicon wafers, which are turned into solar cells for making solar panels, said preliminary data showed that it likely generated $425 million to $435 million for the quarter that ended in December, instead of the previously anticipated $555 million to $565 million.

LDK (NYSE: LDK) said it also shipped an estimated 245 megawatts to 255 megawatts worth of wafers during the quarter, down from the 260 megawatts to 270 megawatts.

Recession and customers who wanted to delay delivery prompted the lower sales, the company said. LDK plans to announce full fourth-quarter and 2008 financial results in late February or early March.

The revised estimates underscore how declining prices are whacking the solar industry. The company reduced revenue estimates by around 23 percent but lowered shipment by only 5 percent. Thus, prices are dropping far faster than any decline in actual demand for products.

The situation could get worse in 2009 as it completes manufacturing projects while facing declining demand.

LDK launched ambitious plans to build two factories in China for producing polysilicon, the main ingredient for making wafers, over the past year and half. The two polysilicon factories are LDK's first efforts to make polysilicon instead of relying on outside suppliers.

But LDK is having trouble bringing its first factory into full production mode, the company said Monday. The 1,000-metric ton factory was supposed to be completed and running at capacity by the end of 2008. The factory is producing polysilicon, but it isn't likely to reach full production until mid 2009.

LDK blames problems with the "optimization process" for the delay but didn't provide more details. Calls and emails to the company weren't immediately returned.

The company said the construction of its second polysilicon plant is on track. LDK expects the 15,000-metric ton factory to begin production in the second quarter of 2009.

The outlook for 2009 isn't rosy. LDK expects lower average selling prices for its products and lower wafer shipment this year.

For 2009, it expects to generate between $2.3 billion and $2.5 billion in sales. Shipment could reach between 1.57 gigawatts and 1.67 gigawatts.

The company previously thought it would bring in between $2.9 billion and $3.1 billion in sales and ship between 1.8 gigawatts and 1.85 gigawatts worth of wafers in 2009. Its customers include Q-Cells, Suntech Power Holdings and Canadian Solar.

LDK now expects to produce between 3,000 metric tons and 5,000 metric tons of polysilicon instead of 5,000 metric tons to 7,000 metric tons.

The company's annual wafer capacity would reach 2.3 gigawatts in 2009, an estimate that hasn't changed from the prior forecast.

LDK's shares dropped more than 15 percent to reach $12.61 per share in after-market trading. The company announced the lower sales and forecast after the market closed.

JA Solar Signed 60MW Solar Cell Supply Contract with Solar Power

2009-01-06T20:29:00.006+08:00

Roseville-based Solar Power Inc. says it has signed a contract with JA Solar Holding Co. Ltd. for up to 60 Megawatts of polycrystalline photovoltaic cells.

Solar Power says it needs the cells to meet increased customer demand in Europe, Asia, and for turnkey systems in the United States. The cells will go into SPI's solar modules.

Based in Hebei, China, JA Solar is one of the world's largest producers of high-performance solar cells.

"We are excited about our agreement with JA Solar. Their products are known for quality and performance and we are very fortunate to be able to integrate them into our own," says Steve Kircher, CEO of Solar Power. "This is a true strategic relationship with strong mutual benefit. It will allow us to leverage our vertical integration business model through a significant amount of supply."

He says the contract should put the company and its franchise holders in a strong position to compete on price.

Yingli Green Energy Signs 15 MW Sales Contract with GOLDBECK Solar

2009-01-06T20:24:00.001+08:00

BAODING, China, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited ("Yingli Green Energy" or the "Company"), one of the world's leading vertically integrated photovoltaic ("PV") product manufacturers, today announced that it has entered into a sales contract with GOLDBECK Solar GmbH ("GOLDBECK Solar"), a leading German PV system specialist company for PV applications on industrial buildings. Under the terms of the contract, Yingli Green Energy is expected to supply a minimum of 15 MW of PV modules to GOLDBECK Solar in 2009. In addition, the contract provides a framework for GOLDBECK Solar to purchase up to an additional 58 MW of PV modules from Yingli Green Energy in 2009.

"We are pleased to have Yingli as one of our key suppliers," said Joachim Goldbeck, General Manager of GOLDBECK Solar. "We aim to provide our customers maximum value with our products and services. Cooperating with top tier suppliers like Yingli is one of our principal strategies for achieving these goals in order to secure customers on a long-term basis."

"We look forward to working closely with GOLDBECK Solar in 2009," commented Mr. Liansheng Miao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yingli Green Energy. "Given the cost advantage and quality control capability of our vertically integrated business model, we can provide reliable and high quality products at a reasonable and competitive price, in line with our strategy to continually enhance the value that we provide to our customers. We believe this will lead to a broader and deeper penetration of our products and brand awareness worldwide."

About Yingli Green Energy

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited is one of the world's leading vertically integrated PV product manufacturers. Through the Company's principal operating subsidiary in China, Baoding Tianwei Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd., Yingli Green Energy designs, manufactures and sells PV modules and designs, assembles, sells and installs PV systems that are connected to an electricity transmission grid or operate on a stand-alone basis. With 400 MW of total annual production capacity in each of polysilicon ingots and wafers, PV cells and PV modules, Yingli Green Energy is currently one of the largest manufacturers of PV products in the world as measured by annual production capacity. Additionally, Yingli Green Energy is one of a limited number of large-scale PV companies in the world to have adopted a vertically integrated business model. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Yingli Energy (China) Co., Ltd., Yingli Green Energy currently plans to expand annual production capacity of polysilicon ingots and wafers, PV cells and PV modules to 600 MW in the third quarter of 2009. Yingli Green Energy sells PV modules under its own brand name, Yingli Solar, to PV system integrators and distributors located in various markets around the world, including Germany, Spain, Italy, South Korea, Belgium, France, China and the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.yinglisolar.com .

Yichang Nanbo (CSG) began to test the polysilicon production line

2009-01-05T23:03:00.002+08:00

Yichang Nanbo (CSG) began to test the polysilicon production line in November 2008, and on December 30th 2008 Yichang Nanbo (CSG) successfully released their first furnace polysilicon product.

The polysilicon production capacity for the whole project is 4,500 to 5,000 metric tons, and the first phase project capacity is 1,500 metric tons.

Asia Silicon Started to Produce Polysilicon

2009-01-05T20:27:00.003+08:00

2008 December 31st Asia Silicon (Qinghai) Company released their first furnace polysilicon.

The total polysilicon production capacity for the project is 6,000 metric tons, and the first phase project capacity is 1,000 metric tons.

Shanghai Electric sells stake in Topsolar for RMB 138.6 mln

2009-01-04T23:02:00.001+08:00

Jan. 4, 2009 (China Knowledge) - Shanghai Electric Group Co Ltd (SEG), China's largest producer of power equipments, has sold the 36% stake it holds in Shanghai Topsolar Green Energy Co to Yancheng Dongtou New Energy Equipment Co for RMB 138.6 million, according to a SEG's statement filed with the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

The transaction is estimated to bring SEG a net gain of RMB 3.38 million.

The Shanghai-based company will sell the remaining 25.35% in Topsolar soon and expected to gradually exit the field of solar energy business and focus on its core business such as wind power.

SEG's gross profit rate of electrical equipments in the first half of last year rose to 19.5%, while that of its solar energy-related business stood at 7.1%, according to a company source.

China Plans World's Largest Solar Power Plant

2009-01-04T21:39:00.003+08:00

At 1 gigawatt, the solar power plant in northwest China would be the world's biggest, but the timeline is a bit iffy at the moment. Construction starts next year.

by: Jeff St. John December 31, 2008

Two Chinese companies have proposed a massive, 1-gigawatt solar photovoltaic power plant in China's northwest, one that would be the worlds biggest if it's completed.

The China Technology Development Group Corp. (NSDQ: CTDC) and Qinghai New Energy Co. announced this week that they had formed an agreement with local Chinese officials to start the project, according to a report from research firm JL McGregor & Company.

The project in Qinghai's Qaidam Basin will start out in 2009 with a more modest initial goal of 30 megawatts at a cost of 1 billion Yuan ($146 million), and will combine crystalline silicon and thin-film solar panels, the firm reported. The timeline and projected cost of the entire 1-gigawatt project were not disclosed.

But if built, it would be almost twice the size of the largest solar photovoltaic power project announced so far, a 550-megawatt thin-film power plant to be built in San Luis Obispo, Calif. by OptiSolar to supply power to California utility Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

Hong Kong-based China Technology Development Group entered the solar market in 2007 with a focus on manufacturing tin oxide glass plates for use as substrates for amorphous silicon thin-film solar cells. In September it announced the opening of a factory expected to build enough of the plates to supply 20 megawatts to 30 megawatts of thin-film cells by 2009.

Given China's meager installations of photovoltaic solar power plants so far, China Technology Development Group and other Chinese solar companies like Suntech Power Holdings, China Sunergy and Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. have so far focused on exporting products to the rest of the world.

A Worldwatch Institute report released in May said that solar photovoltaic power projects within China remain in their infancy compared to Japan, Germany and the United States, with most of the estimated 20 megawatts of generation capacity installed in 2007 being used for remote, off-grid applications.

Earlier this month, an experimental, 166-megawatt grid-connected solar photovoltaic power project started construction in the town of Chilin in southwestern China, People's Daily Online reported. That project is expected to cost 9.1 billion Yuan ($1.3 billion).

Datang's Yunnan Subsidiary to Build 20MW Solar Power Station

2008-12-30T17:03:00.000+08:00

The Yunnan Branch of China Datang Corporation plans to build an on-grid photovoltaic solar power plant with first-phase annual capacity of 20MW in Yunnan's Binchuan county. The subsidiary will be the third company to construct a large-scale on-grid photovoltaic solar station in Yunnan.

Vestas Receives Chinese Order for 116 Wind Turbines

2008-12-30T16:58:00.000+08:00

Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas has received an order from China Guangdong Nuclear Wind Power Company for the delivery of 116 of its 850kW V52 wind turbines, bringing the total capacity of V52 wind turbines sold to the company to 500MW.

The agreement includes supply of the turbines, a VestasOnline Business supervisory control and data acquisition solution and a two-year maintenance and service agreement.

Lars Andersen, Vestas China managing director, said: "This latest sale, the eighth order from China Guangdong Nuclear Wind Power in the last 12 months, means that Vestas is now one of the largest single suppliers of wind turbines to the company."

Power Company China Datang Exceeds 2GW of Wind Capacity

2008-12-30T16:56:00.000+08:00

Beijing-based power company China Datang Corporation (601991.SH, 991.HK) began producing electricity in a 49.5MW wind project in Xilinhaote, Inner Mongolia on December 23, to bring the company's total wind capacity to 2.03GW. China Datang has realized 247.5MW of the 346.5MW total capacity of its Inner Mongolia wind projects.

Ningxia Yangguang Silicon Will Begin Polysilicon Mass Production in March 2009

2008-12-27T11:52:00.004+08:00

2008 December 25th, Ningxia Yangguang Silicon held the ceremony to celebrate the successful release of their polysilicon product.

Their first furnace polysilicon was released on December 23rd with polysilicon purity over 99.99999% and qualified for the solar cell production. The first phase polyslicon project has production capacity of 1,500 metric tons, and the total production capacity will reach 4,500 metric tons.

The first phase polysilicon project was launched on 2007 August 28th, began the production adjustment in 2008 November, and will begin the mass production in 2009 March.

Hongkong Sheng Rui invested in thin film solar panel production project in Zhenjiang, China

2008-12-25T22:40:00.004+08:00

2008 December 24th, Hongkong Sheng Rui Solar Technology Company and Zhenjiang New Zone Ecnomic Development Company signed cooperation agreement to build thin film solar panel production project in Zhenjiang.

The first phase project will cost about USD 36 million and the thin film solar panel production capacity will reach 96MW by the end of 2010, and reach 120MW by the end of 2011.

Yingli Green Energy subsidiary enters 8-yr. loan agreement with China Development Bank

2008-12-23T23:54:00.002+08:00

12/23/2008 6:48 AM ET

(RTTNews) - Tuesday, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Ltd. said its subsidiary Yingli Energy Co. Ltd., China, has entered into an eight-year loan agreement with China Development Bank, or CDB.

As per the loan agreement, CDB has agreed to provide to Yingli China an aggregate of US$70 million to support Yingli China's construction of photovoltaic cell manufacturing lines with 100 megawatt annual production capacity, subject to certain conditions.

CDB, a government policy bank solely owned by China's central government, provides mid to long term financing support for the development of key government projects and for construction in the infrastructure sector, basic industries, pillar industries and high-technology industry.

Further, the company announced that it has appointed Jingfeng Xiong as the new Vice President of Technology effective December 23, replacing Nabih Cherradi, who has quit to pursue other interests. Xiong joined the company in 2000, and has served in a variety of roles, including as the Manager for Wafer, Cell, and Module Workshops, respectively, Quality Manager, Technical Department Manager, System Application Department Manager, and Chief Engineer.

CCID Consulting: Review and Forecast on China's Solar Cell Industry

2008-12-23T23:08:00.004+08:00

BEIJING, Dec.23 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- CCID Consulting, China's leadingresearch, consulting and IT outsourcing service provider, and the firstChinese consulting firm listed in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Stock Exchange:HK08235), recently released its article on China's solar cell industry.

Affected by global financial crisis in 2008, the global economy is going through a difficult winter. China's solar cell industry has been enjoying a period of stable and rapid growth in recent years, which is likely to be slowed under the current economic environment. However, China's solar cell industry still attracts manufacturers' and investors' attention in 2008. The output of China's solar cell industry in 2008 is expected to break through 2000MW. Compared with 2007, China's solar cell industry maintains a rapid development pace.

Figure: China's Solar Cell Output, 2005-2008

Source: CCID Consulting, Dec.2008

CCID Consulting forecasts that in 2009, with demands for renewable, clean and security energies increasing, innovations in thin film techniques and falling costs, China's solar cell industry will undergo a restructure period in its industry chain. The new application of thin film solar cell and other power supply will appear.

Governmental Support Brings Opportunities to the Solar Cell Industry

The promulgation and implementation of China's Renewable Energy Law will allow the size of China's photovoltaic industry to expand in the next two years; China's solar cell industry will become gradually mature. Among the 4 trillion Yuan the nation promised to invest to boost economic growth, energy-saving, environmental protection and new energy industries will be playing important roles, that these investment will drive the rapid development of the solar cell industry.

Thin Film Technology Under Spotlight

Among amorphous silicon photovoltaic cell technologies, thin film solar cell technology is considered to be most suitable for large scale industrialization. In next two years, thin film technical progress and conversion rate's improvement will gradually highlight thin film solar cell's cost advantage. Restricted by silicon materials, major manufacturers have transferred to invest in thin film. In 2009, this trend will be more obvious. With major manufacturers' thin film technical successive investment and production, despite that thin film technology cannot completely replace crystalline silicon technology in the short term, based on its cost advantage, its market share will increase rapidly.

Industry Chain Faces Local Adjustment

Solar power generation (photovoltaic generation) industry chain includes upstream polysilicon production, midstream silicon cutting and solar cell production and downstream solar cell components production. More and more enterprises will focus on the midstream and downstream. Upstream manufacturers and VC will enlarge their investment in silicon cutting and solar cell production. Industrial integration trend will strengthen.

Demands in China's Domestic Market to Surge Next Year

In the short term, China's solar cell industry will still need to rely heavily on silicon raw materials and terminal market. More than 90% of polysilicon, main raw material of solar battery depends on import and more than 90% terminal products rely on export. Demands on domestic solar battery market are to be lifted.

Solar battery products will be more popular, getting along with environment protection and energy saving policies. Mobile solar battery will appear in the market due to energy saving, 3G, uniform mobile phone charging interface, and other policies.

About CCID Consulting

CCID Consulting Co., Ltd. (hereinafter known as CCID Consulting), the first Chinese consulting firm listed in the Growth Enterprise Market of the Stock Exchange (GEM) of Hong Kong (stock code: 8235.HK), is directly affiliated with China Center for Information Industry Development (hereinafter known as CCID Group). Headquartered in Beijing, CCID Consulting has so far set up branch offices in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan and Chengdu, with over 300 professional consultants after many years of development. The company's business scope has covered over 200 large and medium-sized cities in China.

Based on major areas of competitiveness: industrial resources, information technology and data channels, CCID Consulting provides customers with public policy establishment, industry competitiveness upgrading, development strategy and planning, marketing strategy and research, HR management, IT programming and management. CCID Consulting's customers range from industrial users in electronics, telecommunications, energy, finance, automobile, to government departments at all levels and diversified industrial parks. CCID Consulting commits itself to becoming the No. 1 advisor for enterprise management, the No.1 consultancy for government decisions and the No. 1 brand for informatization consulting.

China Sunergy Signs Sales Agreement With Ajit Solar

2008-12-23T22:54:00.002+08:00

NANJING, China, Dec. 23 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- China Sunergy Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: CSUN), a specialized solar cell manufacturer based in Nanjing, China, today announced that it has entered into a one-year agreement with Ajit Solar Pvt Ltd ("Ajit Solar"), a privately-owned module manufacturer based in Jaipur, India.

Under the terms of the agreement, China Sunergy will supply and deliver a total volume of 12MW of multi-crystalline solar cells. It is expected that China Sunergy will deliver 5MW to Ajit Solar in the first half of the year, and the remaining 7MW in the latter half.

Commenting on the agreement, CEO of China Sunergy, Dr. Allen Wang, said:"Our partnership with Ajit Solar marks a significant step for China Sunergy as we venture into the growing Indian solar market. Despite the challenging market conditions, we continue to receive orders for our solar cells. We look forward to working closely with Ajit Solar and to further penetrating the Asian markets."

Located in Jaipur, India, Ajit Solar is a privately owned company of the Gehlot Group which manufactures world class photovoltaic modules.

About China Sunergy Co. Ltd.

China Sunergy Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: CSUN) ("China Sunergy") is a specialized manufacturer of solar cell products in China. China Sunergy manufactures solar cells from silicon wafers utilizing crystalline silicon solar cell technology to convert sunlight directly into electricity through a process known as the photovoltaic effect. China Sunergy sells solar cell products to Chinese and overseas module manufacturers and system integrators, who assemble solar cells into solar modules and solar power systems for use in various markets. For more information please visit http://www.chinasunergy.com .

SunTech to design, install 66 MW on-grid solar PV demon project in Yunnan

2008-12-22T22:52:00.001+08:00

BEIJING, Dec 22, 2008 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- China's solar product producer SunTech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (STP.NYSE) will design and install a 66 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power generating system for a large on-grid PV demo power station in Yunan in cooperation with Yunnan Provincial Power Investment Co., Ltd. and other investors.

The 66 MW solar PV power generating system to sever the popular science zone of a large experimental on-grid PV power station in Shilin, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, will involve total investment of 3.58 billion yuan and it is designed to generate 77.04 million kilowatts hours of electricity annually.

The system is scheduled to start construction in December 2008 and be completed in 18 months.

It is part of a 166 MW on-grid solar (PV) power station in Shilin, which is composed of a popular science zone and an experimental solar PV power generating zone with installed capacity of 66 MW and 100 MW, respectively. The whole project involves total investment of 9.1 billion yuan.

800 MW Solar Wafer Project Investment Agreement Signed in Hohehot

2008-12-20T22:54:00.002+08:00

2008 December 15th, a 800 MW solar wafer project with 3 billion RMB investment landed in Hohehot City, Inner Mongolia, China.

The investors are Tianjin Zhonghuan Group and Shanghai Aerospace Group, and the first phase project will begin construction in the first quarter 2009 with 380 million RMB investment.

Luoyang Century Xinyuan Group builds 10,000 metric ton polysilicon project

2008-12-20T15:33:00.002+08:00

2008 December 16th,

Luoyang Century Xinyuan Group held the ground breaking ceremony for their 10,000 metric ton polysilicon project. The total investment will be 5 billion RMB, and the 10,000 metric ton polysilicon project covers 3,000 metric ton non-Simens polysilicon project.

The investment for the first phase project is 1.5 billion RMB, and the first phase project will be completed by 2009 October with 2,300 metric ton polysilicon production capacity. The second phase project will get started in 2010 with investment of 3.5 billion RMB.

Suntech to Deliver 3MW of Integrated Solar Systems to World Expo Shanghai 2010

2008-12-19T21:29:00.005+08:00

SAN FRANCISCO and WUXI, China, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturer, today announced that it has won a bid to supply, design and install building integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV) with a total capacityof 3MW on the China and Theme Pavilions at the World Expo Shanghai 2010 ("theExpo"). The projects, which will be the largest BIPV installations in China, are scheduled to be completed by September 2009.

Centered on the theme "Better City, Better Life", the Expo will explore global initiatives that enable sustainable urban development. The China and Theme Pavilions which will be developed by Shenergy Group, one of Shanghai's leading energy companies, will emphasize the importance of urban harmony with the natural environment, including the sustainable use of natural resources such as water and sunlight. The 3MW building integrated rooftop solar systems will be designed, developed and installed by Suntech's in-house system integration team. World Expo Shanghai 2010 will be held from May 1 - October31, 2010 in Shanghai, China.

"Building integrated solar systems, which turn common building materials such as rooftops and facades into power generators, are a logical step for the evolution of the urban environment. Our selection underscores Suntech's position as a global brand and world leader in the solar industry as well as our leading system integration capability in China. We are honored to display China's technological expertise in renewable energy to the world at the Expo,"said Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Chairman and CEO.

The sustainable theme of the Expo echoes China's broader commitment to renewable energy solutions. As part of its Renewable Energy Law in 2005, China established a target to generate 15% of its total electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. China plans to invest $180 billion in renewable energy over a 15-year period, fostering the emergence of renewable energy and sustainable development, including solar, wind, hydropower and biomass.

"Showcasing two of the world's largest building integrated solar systemsat the World Expo Shanghai 2010 indicates China's growing recognition of solar's ability to play a key role in renewable energy generation and sustainable urban development. With China's clear commitment to increasing adoption of renewable energy solutions, we are confident that the Chinese solar market will experience rapid growth in the next few years," Dr. Shi continued.

Suntech's system integration team is one of the most experienced and capable in China. They have completed a range of technically complex building integrated solar systems including the 120kW Beijing Jingya Hotel curtain wall, an 800kW Light Thru system on the Wuxi Airport, and the 1MW BIPV facade at Suntech's new headquarters in Wuxi.

About Suntech

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP) is the world's leading solar energy company as measured by production output of 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's patent-pending Pluto technology for crystalline silicon solar cells improves power output by up to 12% compared to conventional production methods.

Suntech also offers one of the broadest ranges of building-integrated solar products under the MSK Solar Design Line(TM). Suntech designs and delivers commercial and utility scale solar power systems through its wholly owned subsidiaries Suntech Energy Solutions and Suntech Energy Engineering and will own and operate projects greater than 10 megawatts in the United States through Gemini Solar Development Company, a joint venture with MMA RenewableVentures. With regional headquarters in China, Switzerland and San Franciscoand 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 visithttp://www.suntech-power.com .

Yingli Green Energy Signs Sales Agreements with Two Leading German PV System Integrators

2008-12-19T21:20:00.003+08:00

BAODING, China, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited ("Yingli Green Energy" or the "Company"), one of the world's leading vertically integrated photovoltaic ("PV") product manufacturers, today announced that it has entered into sales agreements with two leading German PV system integrators, City Solar Kraftwerke AG ("City Solar") and Wirsol Deutschland GmbH ("Wirsol").

20 MW PV Module Sales Agreement with City Solar

Under the sales agreement with City Solar, one of the leading German developers and turnkey providers of large-scale PV power plants, Yingli Green Energy is expected to supply 20 MW of PV modules to City Solar in 2009. In addition, City Solar has an option to purchase an additional 30 MW of PV modules from Yingli Green Energy in 2009.

"We are delighted to initiate our business relationship with Yingli Green Energy," commented Mr. Steffen Kammler, President and Chief Executive Officer of City Solar. "We believe we can provide more profitable solar power plants to our customers by using Yingli Green Energy's PV modules with their reliable quality and stable output performance, which are vital for the successful and profitable operation of solar power plants throughout their lifetime."

15 MW PV Module Sales Agreement with Wirsol

Under the sales agreement with Wirsol, one of the leading German PV system specialists delivering solar-based solutions to both residential and commercial customers, Yingli Green Energy is expected to supply 15 MW of PV modules to Wirsol from December 2008 through October 2009. In addition, Wirsol has an option to purchase an additional 20 MW of PV modules from Yingli Green Energy in 2009.

"We are please to sign this contract with Yingli Green Energy," commented Mr. Markus Wirth, managing director of Wirsol. "As a German solar specialist with the quality seal of RAL certification, we work under strictly controlled quality standards: All work processes are documented and transparent, from the first consultation to installation and beyond. We have gained sufficient confidence in Yingli Green Energy's capability to provide high-quality and reliable products through testing its products under real conditions in our own solar park and from our visits to its facilities which impressed us with its advanced automation level and rigorous quality program."

"We are pleased to announce our sales contract with City Solar and Wirsol," commented Mr. Liansheng Miao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yingli Green Energy. "We have established a solid position as a reliable PV module supplier for large-scale PV power plants and other solar power solutions worldwide, thanks to our successful track record and long history in cooperating with utilities and PV system installers in Europe. We expect to continue to capture market share in a more competitive environment with our high quality products, brand recognition and competitive PV module pricing. In addition, we believe the recent dramatic decrease in polysilicon prices and our excellent performance in maintaining low non-polysilicon costs will further help us along the way towards achieving grid parity."

About Yingli Green Energy

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited is one of the world's leading vertically integrated PV product manufacturers. Through the Company's principal operating subsidiary in China, Baoding Tianwei Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd., Yingli Green Energy designs, manufactures and sells PV modules and designs, assembles, sells and installs PV systems that are connected to an electricity transmission grid or operate on a stand-alone basis. With 400 MW of total annual production capacity in each of polysilicon ingots and wafers, PV cells and PV modules, Yingli Green Energy is currently one of the largest manufacturers of PV products in the world as measured by annual production capacity. Additionally, Yingli Green Energy is one of a limited number of large-scale PV companies in the world to have adopted a vertically integrated business model. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Yingli Energy (China) Co., Ltd., Yingli Green Energy currently plans to expand annual production capacity of polysilicon ingots and wafers, PV cells and PV modules to 600 MW in the third quarter of 2009. Yingli Green Energy sells PV modules under its own brand name, Yingli Solar, to PV system integrators and distributors located in various markets around the world, including Germany, Spain, Italy, South Korea, Belgium, France, China and the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.yinglisolar.com .

TRINA SOLAR STARTS WAFER SHIPMENT FOR ATLANTA CONVENTION CENTER

2008-12-19T21:10:00.002+08:00

BEIJING, Dec 19, 2008 (AsiaPulse via COMTEX) -- China's integrated solar modules producer Trina Solar Limited (NYSE:TSL) has commenced shipment of wafers and modules for Atlantic City Convention Center (ACCC) of the United States, a source with Trina Solar was quoted by local media.

Qiu Diming, director of the company's technology committee, declined to deliberate the exact quantity of shipment for the time being as well as its time table for the development of UMG-based modules.

Trina Solar will provide as many as 13,400 modules in a bid to build a rooftop solar power generation system at World Congress Center with acreage of 180,000 square feet.

This project is expected to generate 2.8 million kilowatt hours of electricity each year, serving 280 households.

As the largest rooftop power generation project in North America, the system has a capacity of 2.4 MW.

Trina Solar Announces 'MeSolar' Brand UMG-Silicon Based Product Line

2008-12-19T20:40:00.004+08:00

18 December 2008

CHANGZHOU, China, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Trina Solar Limited (''Trina Solar'' or the ''Company''), a leading integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules, today announced the launch of the brand name "MeSolar" for its newly in-house developed line of products based on Upgraded Metallurgical Grade ("UMG") silicon materials.

The product line is part of Trina Solar's strategy to expand its product portfolio in order to address customers' increasing demand for lower cost solar module systems. "We are pleased to introduce the brand name 'MeSolar' which represents our high quality and efficient modules using UMG silicon materials, with advantageous prices for our customers," stated Arturo Herrero, Trina Solar's Vice President of Sales & Marketing. "MeSolar" products undergo a stringent production process as well as rigorous quality control checks as a result of initial optimization and critical development stages during testing along the entire value chain, starting from UMG silicon materials, wafers, and cells, to modules, the final product.

Jifan Gao, Trina Solar's Chairman and CEO, stated, "We expect that UMG feedstock technology will continue to advance in the next year, which combine with improved manufacturing efficiencies should provide significant and sustainable cost advantages forward for added value to our customers."

Trina Solar plans to launch production of "MeSolar", employing its existing, dedicated manufacturing lines, with sales and deliveries planned throughout 2009. The UMG-based "MeSolar" modules have a 20-year warranty.

About Trina Solar Limited

Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) is a well recognized manufacturer of high quality modules and has a long history as a solar PV pioneer since it was founded in 1997 as a system installation company. Trina Solar is one of the few PV manufacturers that has developed a vertically integrated business model from the production of monocrystalline and multicrystalline ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of high quality modules. Trina Solar's products provide reliable and environmentally-friendly electric power for a growing variety of end-user applications worldwide. For further information, please visit Trina Solar's website at http://www.trinasolar.com .

China Sunergy initiates commercial production of four solar cell manufacturing lines

2008-12-19T20:37:00.001+08:00

18 December 2008

Nanjing-based China Sunergy Co., Ltd. has brought four high-efficiency SE solar cell manufacturing lines into commercial production at a ceremony held to celebrate the commencement of China Sunergy's 3rd stage production. The door of the 3rd stage production lines was opened to visitors on the day, with attendees including China Sunergy executives Tingxiu Lu, Chairman, Dr. Allen Wang, CEO, and Dr. Jianhua Zhao, CTO.

These additional four lines bring the company's manufacturing line total to ten, five of which are for high-efficiency SE solar cells, four for HP solar cells, and one line that manufactures common P-type multicrystalline solar cells. The company now has an overall production capacity of close to 320MW.

The company also stated that it "has got enough cash for production and development in this year and next year" in its Q3 quarterly report. More than 50% of the company's orders for 2009 have at this point been finalised, including the recent deal with Solarwatt AG that will see Sunergy deliver over 22MW of solar cells over the course of next year.

Suntech Opens Sales and Customer Service Office in Italy

2008-12-16T22:34:00.004+08:00

SAN FRANCISCO and WUXI, China, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturer, today announced the opening of a sales office in Milan, Italy to provide enhanced sales and service support to Suntech's Italian customer base.

Jerry Stokes, Suntech's President of Europe, said, "Our new office in Milan is another step towards the increasing globalization of Suntech's sales and service capabilities. To complement our core sales competency, we are building a multi-faceted team across Europe that is in tune with local market conditions and can respond to customer needs promptly. We believe our customers appreciate this commitment and see Suntech as a reliable, long term solar partner."

Mauro Sgherri, Suntech's Director of Sales, Italy, said, "Suntech's involvement in many of the highest profile solar projects in Europe combined with a deep dedication to quality and continuous technology improvement distinguishes Suntech's solar offering in the Italian market. Moreover, Suntech's industry leading scale, broad product portfolio and timely product delivery highlight our market leadership. We have established a top tier customer base of companies that have long term solar plans and have already built an order book in Italy of over 130 megawatts for 2009. We look forward to supporting the growth plans of our Italian customers through the stablesupply of high quality solar modules and responsive customer service."

The Italian market is set to grow rapidly in 2009 due to strong support from the Italian government in the form of solar subsidies that range from EUR0.36/kWh for large ground-mounted PV systems and up to EUR0.49/kWh for building integrated PV systems. The high solar irradiation provides excellent conditions for generating solar energy.

About Suntech

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP) 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 BIPV products under the MSK Solar Design Line(TM). Suntech hassales offices worldwide and is a market share leader in key global solar markets. For more information, please visit http://www.suntech-power.com .

Solar cell maker E-ton signs two long-term supply contracts

2008-12-16T22:32:00.001+08:00

Nuying Huang, Taipei; Yvonne Yu, DIGITIMES [Tuesday 16 December 2008]

E-ton Solar Tech, a Taiwan-based maker of crystalline silicon solar cells, announced that the company has signed long-term silicon wafer supply contracts with two separate companies, according to a company filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE).

According to the filing, E-ton will supply 6-inch polysilicon wafers totaling 309 MWp over six years to one company, while supplying a total of 326MWp worth of monocrystalline 6-inch wafers over seven years to another company.

E-ton did not revel the names of its customers.

China solar cell makers may launch fresh price war

2008-12-16T22:28:00.001+08:00

Nuying Huang, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES [Tuesday 16 December 2008]

Many second-tier and small makers of crystalline silicon solar cells in China, in order to clear high inventory levels for cash revenues, waged a fierce price war on the spot market in November, and some of them may do so again to further reduce inventories before the off-season period following Christmas and New Year, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

Spot prices of solar cells dropped to US$2.4-3.0/watt in November 2008 due to the price war, and have now fallen further to US$2.2-3.0/watt, the sources pointed out. Because current spot prices are almost at bottom levels, they are unlikely to slip much even if China-based makers kick off another wave of pricing competition, the sources analyzed.

Metallurgical Group, Baogang to tap polysilicon market

2008-12-15T15:50:00.000+08:00

By Jiang Wei (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-12-15 13:13

China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC), the country's leading mining and smelting operator, and Baotou Iron and Steel Group (Baogang) plan to invest 8 billion yuan ($1.17 billion) in a polysilicon-manufacturing project, taking advantage of the consolidation of their respective industries.

The two sides signed an agreement last Thursday but details of the project are still being worked out, China Business Journal reported. The project, if completed, will produce 5,000 tons of polysilicon a year.

The price of polysilicon, a major material used in producing solar panels, has dipped to 1,000 yuan per ton from 5,000 yuan per ton earlier this year while capability increased in the country, a development that experts say indicates an imminent industry consolidation.

Yang Yu'an, an industry expert, was quoted by Chinese Business Journal as saying that MCC has been involved in the sector for years but that Baogang will take the initiative for strategic planning.

Shenyang 6,000 metric ton polysilicon project investment agreement signed

2008-12-13T23:02:00.003+08:00

2008 December 8th, Liaoning Shuangyi Silicon, American Chemtex and Shenyang municapal government signed to invest in polysilicon production project.

The total investment will be over 5 billion RMB, and the project will be completed in 2014, and the total polysilicon production capacity will reach 6,000 metric tons.　

Yichang Nanbo Silicon (CSG) Trichlorosilane Leaked

2008-12-12T21:28:00.003+08:00

On the morning of 2008 October 10th, Trichlorosilane pipe leakage took place at Yichang Nanbo Silicon (CSG) during the polysilicon testing production.

The danger was removed two hours' later, and no wound and death is reported except that 18 people felt uncomfortable and stayed at the hospital.

It is said that the failure was caused by the crack of the weld seam.

Goldman Sachs, CDH invest nearly 100 mln usd in China's Himin Solar

2008-12-12T16:58:00.001+08:00

12.12.08

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Goldman Sachs and CDH Investment have jointly invested nearly 100 mln usd in Himin Solar Energy Group, based in eastern China's Shandong province, the three parties said.

Huang Ming, chairman of Himin, said at a media briefing that the funds would be used to help fuel the company's growth and finance research and development.

The deal was initially announced in early 2008, but was delayed due to the financial crisis, said Huang.

Himin will seek to float A-shares, Huang told reporters.

'The timing of a listing is not entirely up to us,' he said, adding that some 300 companies are in the queue for regulatory approval.

Huang declined to disclose the stake that Goldman Sachs and CDH have secured.

A source close to the matter told XFN-Asia that the stake is around 15 pct.

'Goldman Sachs and CDH will continue to fund Himin Solar if Himin continues to expand,' Goldman Sachs (Asia) managing director Zhang Yi said at the briefing.

Himin, China's top maker of solar water heaters, plans to set up marketing and logistics centers in Xi'an, Wuhan and Hangzhou. The company has a major R&D center in Qingdao.

The company is seeking to expand its market by 50 to 100 pct next year.

Astronergy Aims at Thin Film PV Market

2008-12-12T16:55:00.001+08:00

Yang Liyou, CEO of Astronergy, a Chinese photovoltaics startup, discussed his company and China's PV scene with Hedy Qian, managing editor of Semiconductor International China.
Crystalline silicon-based PV technology is relatively mature, and much of the future growth will come from improving thin-film PV efficiencies, said Yang, who previously worked at BP Solar.

Hedy Qian, Managing Editor, SI China -- Semiconductor International, 12/11/2008 10:25:00 AM

Starting from crystalline silicon photovoltaics products with plans for the high-end thin-film solar cell market, Astronergy Inc. (Hangzhou, Zhejiang) launched its line for making amorphous/microcrystalline silicon (a-Si/µc-Si) tandem PV modules in November this year.

Yang Liyou, CEO of AstronergyAccording to the company, the initial average conversion efficiency will reach 9%, and the goal is to achieve a 10% average conversion efficiency in the near future. "Whether in terms of technology or in terms of scale, Astronergy is leading China's market for high-end thin-film PV modules," said Yang Liyou, who is both the CEO and CTO of Astronergy. Yang spent 20 years in thin-film R&D, including an earlier role at BP Solar. He holds 18 patents in the field.

SI China: Can you talk about the current status and future prospects of the industry from two perspectives - thin film and crystalline solar cell?

Yang: Market demand is closely related to the quality and price of PV products. Price can constrain the demand to some extent. With the continuous development of technologies — in terms of the commercialization process of crystalline silicon technology, conversion efficiency, and production and manufacturing levels - China's PV market is closely following the beat set by the global PV market. But the crystalline silicon technology is relatively mature, and at the current technological level, future growth will slow down.

The thin-film cell belongs to another product category, and the materials used are completely different from those used for crystalline silicon products. When the market is in urgent need of a new generation of products with a better performance-price ratio and a lower cost to meet the demand for PV products, it's obvious that the future of the thin-film cell is very promising.

In the marketplace, the gross profit margin is close to 50% for thin-film cells, whereas it's only about 15% for crystalline silicon cells. With the increased production of polycrystalline silicon, the cost of crystalline silicon cells also will be going down. However, the final cost of the thin-film cell will still be much lower than that of crystalline silicon cells.

SI China: For Astronergy, which specializes in thin-film cells, how is the thin-film cell business doing? And what kind of role will crystalline silicon cells play in the future?

Yang: Crystalline silicon products are currently the mainstream products in the marketplace. They can be launched quickly and be easily accepted by the market. The strategy of Astronergy is to start from crystalline silicon, and then to move into the PV market quickly, to create its own customer groups. This will be very helpful for our future development. The thin-film cell business is still in the preparation stage, but the technology is essentially already in place - the a-Si/µc-Si tandem technology will be used. Globally Astronergy is among the earliest manufacturers to enter the high-end multinode thin-film cell field. Most domestic companies in the thin-film cell field now choose the single-junction amorphous silicon technology, which is relatively simple, to start from. The a-Si/µc-Si tandem technology is much more difficult, but the products will have better functions, and their average conversion efficiency will also be higher. In the initial stage, after the thin-film products become stable, the average conversion efficiency will be around 9%; and in a very short time, a 10% average conversion efficiency can be expected through technological improvement.

Currently we are focusing on transferring foreign thin-film experiences and technologies into China. We are very confident that we can bring the products out of the laboratories by building a mature commercialized production line with a high conversion rate.

SI China: Can you please talk about the impact of the global financial crisis on China’s PV industry?

Yang: I think that the impact on China is relatively small. Before the financial crisis, I had said that China needs to jump out of the low-level processing industry and actively pursue structural transformation. In the future, new energy will become a significant industry in the world and PV is a very good cut-in point, because this industry is especially suitable for China, and China does not have a big technological gap with the world in this field.

SI China: Can you talk about the roadmap for Astronergy in the next two or three years?

Astronergy will emphasize thin-film PV technology.Yang: At the end of November, our first intermediary experimental line was installed and underwent a test run, and we will have our own products early next year. At the beginning the output will not be very high. First of all, we will reach our preset goal for average conversion efficiency. The mass production line is expected to be installed and test run in the first quarter of next year, and will go into mass production in the middle of next year. This is our first goal. After this goal is reached, Astronergy will increase the production scale as soon as possible, and the production capacity will reach 60 MW in 2009 and180 MW in 2010, and will become higher and higher after 2011. Of course, the growth rate may be adjusted based on some unexpected factors. If the market needs a higher production capacity, we can grow faster. In the next 3-4 years, the production capacity can be expected to reach 300-400 MW.

I believe that by 2011 the thin-film cell from Astronergy will be able to take a significant share — 20% or even higher — in China’s market for high-end thin-film cells. Within a period of time, the thin-film market will shift from the low-end thin films to the high-end ones, and in this process, we hope that we can capitalize on our advantage in production capacity accumulated in the initial stage to go faster in realizing the economy of scale in mass production.

Intertek launches PV module testing center in Shanghai

2008-12-11T21:14:00.001+08:00

BEIJING, Dec 11, 2008 (Xinhua via COMTEX) --British product quality and safety solution provider Intertek Group Plc. (ITRK.LSE) recently launched a full-service testing center of solar photovoltaic modules in Shanghai in a bid to provide localized services.

As the first one of this kind in the Chinese mainland, this testing center will help local solar product makers gain certifications on global markets and slash the time of export cycle with less payout in this regard.

Greegg Tiemann, executive vice president of Intertek, said that Chinese solar PV producers are enabled to obtain access to world market more quickly since the testing center is situated near major solar product manufacturers in Southeast China's Zhejiang Province.

Now, Intertek could release ETL mark and CE mark for North American market and European market, respectively, in addition to Intertek PV mark.

Meanwhile, Intertek expects to get allowed to issue CB certificate and PV Cap certificate in the first half of 2009, with efforts under way to participate in IECEE CB scheme with 43 member countries.

JA Solar Again Cuts Q4 Guidance

2008-12-11T15:08:00.001+08:00

Posted by Eric Savitz

The troubles in the solar sector continue to deepen.

JA Solar this afternoon again cut its Q4 guidance.

The solar cell company now sees revenue of about $124 million, down from previous guidance of $191.5 million to $220.9 million. The earlier guidance, which JA Solar had provided on November 12, had been dramatically below the then-consensus view of $371.4 million.
The company said it continues to see gross margin of 5% to 7%, and break-even non-GAAP earnings per ADS

JA Solar now sees 2008 production of 250-260 MW, down from earlier guidance of 310 MW.

In a statement, CEO Samuel Yang said that the company over the past few weeks has seen "a dramatic slowdown in orders" due to macro economic conditions.

Yang said he expects the company to be profitable in 2009.

After hours, JASO is down 17 cents, or 6%, to $2.68.

China Sunergy, Solarwatt sign sales agreement

2008-12-11T15:06:00.001+08:00

12/10/2008

NANJING, CHINA: Solar cell manufacturer China Sunergy has entered into an agreement with German solar module manufacturer Solarwatt AG to provide 22 MW of solar cells in 2009.

China Sunergy will supply Solarwatt with high efficiency mono-crystalline solar cells at fixed prices beginning in January 2009 and continuing at a consistent level over the rest of the year.

"I am pleased to have signed this agreement with Solarwatt, a leading firm within one of the most dynamic solar markets in the world,"said China Sunergy CEO and Director Dr. Ruennsheng Allen Wang.

"Despite the recent uncertain sales environment, we have been successful in securing important sales agreements with leading companies in key markets, and we remain well positioned to benefit as further clarity returns to the market."

BYD Solar Cell Project Broke Ground in Shangluo City

2008-12-10T21:15:00.004+08:00

2008 December 10th, BYD Solar Cell Project broke ground in Shangluo City.

The investment agreement was signed on October 30th, and the total investment will be 2.5 billion RMB.

The investment for the first phase project is 500 million RMB, and will be completed in one year. Then BYD will have 100MW solar cell production capacity.

CHINA TO INCREASE SUPPORT FOR SOLAR POWER GENERATION

2008-12-10T20:53:00.002+08:00

BEIJING, Dec 10, 2008 (AsiaPulse via COMTEX) -- The China National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and its affiliate National Energy Bureau are currently working on policy support and subsidy measures for solar power generation in China, said Shi Dinghuan, chairman of Chinese Renewable Energy Society (CRES) recently.

Shi noted that the government was increasing input in the development of renewable energy in terms of financial investment, R&D support and demonstration projects.

"Investment into energy projects, clean energy and ecological environment construction would contribute to stimulating domestic demand, which will also benefit further adjustment of China's energy structure in the development of low-carbon economy," said Shi.

Suntech Power and Open Energy Sign Solar Roof Tile Licensing Deal

2008-12-10T20:24:00.002+08:00

License Agreement Combines Open Energy's Award-Winning Design and Innovation with Suntech's Manufacturing and Marketing Expertise

[09-December-2008]

SAN DIEGO and SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), a leading manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) modules, and Open Energy Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: OEGY), a developer of innovative and elegant BIPV products, energy management applications and solar energy solutions announced that they have entered into an exclusive agreement licensing the worldwide manufacture, distribution and marketing of Open Energy's building integrated solar roof tile product to Suntech. Open Energy granted Suntech an exclusive license of the intellectual property incorporated into its solar roof tile product and any similar or new generation tile roof products. The solar roof tiles are 50 watt four foot BIPV tiles and are available in different color panels.

"The relationship with Suntech gives Open Energy access to unmatched manufacturing capabilities and a worldwide distribution network, with particular strength in Europe and Asia," said David Field, president & chief executive officer of Open Energy. "This allows us to reach even more international customers and gives us the opportunity to concentrate on our award-winning and innovative product design for next generation products. As the solar industry continues to grow in 2009 particularly in Europe, where BIPV solar systems enjoy substantial market premiums, it will be critical to have the reach and scale that the relationship with Suntech brings to our company. We chose to work with Suntech because they have world class manufacturing, an incredible sales force and a solid foundation of resources and customers."

"Open Energy is widely recognized for designing innovative, award-winning solar solutions, while Suntech is a world leader in manufacturing, marketing and sales of solar products," said Leonard May, Suntech Managing Director of BIPV Products. "By combining these core strengths, we are confident that we will consistently deliver innovative products, the highest quality and outstanding value to our customers capitalizing on the strengths of both companies."
Eagle Roofing Products is expected to continue as master distributor of the tile product in the U.S.

About Open Energy

Open Energy Corporation is a next-generation solar energy company that develops clean energy solutions, innovative solar products and energy management applications. Open Energy's award-winning products include proprietary, cost-competitive and attractive BIPV solar tiles, membranes and asphalt/composition products. In addition, the EcoTouch Energy Management System gives consumers control over their energy usage while saving money. Open Energy's portfolio of products and services are coupled with innovative financing to enable green Solar Communities to provide low-cost power with little to no upfront cost to the consumer. Open Energy is headquartered in Solana Beach, California. For more information, visit http://www.openenergycorp.com .

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 brand. 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 .

Suntech Power: Now a Takeover Target

2008-12-10T20:17:00.001+08:00

December 09, 2008

The United Nations Climate Change Conference is being held in Poland this week. Representatives from the top four Photovoltaic (PV) makers gathered in Poznan to propose the rapid implementation and expansion of policies designed to support the growth of the solar industry and the global adoption of solar technology as a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction in support of global climate goals.

As the top two solar companies, Suntech Power and First Solar dominate the European and U.S. markets respectively. According to Suntech CEO Dr. Zhengrong Shi, the company is dedicated to reducing the cost of solar electricity to grid parity through increasing economies of scale, improving efficient utilization of raw materials such as silicon, and developing more advanced technology and new applications. While no solar company has achieved grid parity, Suntech is leading the way. The company is also developing a new thin film technology with 50% efficiency.
Despite all of these positive developments, STP's stock price has been down as much as 90% from its 52-week high because of hedge fund redemptions in the last few months. Investors have started to realize its true value recently but it is still very much undervalued.

Recently, many solar companies have rolled out expansion plans for the coming years. For example, Sharp plans to invest $2.6B in Italy in a joint venture to tap growing demand of solar panels. Suntech power is also entering the U.S. solar market through acquiring EI Solutions, and will triple US sales by 2009. What makes STP extremely attractive is that China has set ambitious, long-term national goals that have helped to create a backdrop for a growing renewable energy industry such as a national renewable energy standard of 15% by 2020 and a commitment to invest US$180 billion in renewable energy by 2020.

With STP at such a low price, two companies might like to become bidders for Suntech. The first one is Sharp. Sharp has an ambitious plan to quickly reach the European and Chinese solar markets - acquiring Suntech provides a shortcut for the company to do this.

The second company that has been named in rumors is First Solar. FSLR mainly sells panels in the U.S. and Europe and a takeover of STP will give the company direct entry into the Asian market. A call to First Solar has not been returned. It is believed that Suntech will not consider any bid below $30 per share as the industry becomes very solar friendly going into 2009.

Hongkong Electric completes 1st mainland wind farm project

2008-12-09T16:08:00.001+08:00

Dec. 9, 2008 (China Knowledge) - Hongkong Electric Holdings Ltd (HEH)<6>, an electricity operator controlled by Hong Kong business giant Li Ka-shing, announced on Tuesday it has completed its first wind farm project on the mainland and expected to commence commercial operation early next year, sources reported.

According to the report, the 48-megawatt Yunnan project with a total investment of RMB 500 million is a joint venture utility, in which Hongkong Electric owns a 45% stake while mainland power producer Huaneng New Energy Industrial holds the rest.

The wind farm, along with another one in Hebei province, was bought by the Hong Kong electricity operator this year, marking its first investments on the mainland to capitalize on the country's rising demand for renewable energy, China Knowledge reported earlier.

Hongkong Electric said the projects were awarded with government incentives, including priority in the purchase of power generated from the windmills, tax exemptions on construction work and value-added tax rebates on machinery, adding both projects were qualified with global environmental standard for cutting emission of greenhouse gas.

The investment would enable Hongkong Electric to take a bite of the nascent but massive renewable energy market, amid a looming government-ordered cut in the rate of return from supplying electricity to its local market, according to analysts.