Suntech Opens First U.S. Solar Module Production Facility in Arizona

New U.S. Suntech Solar Module Production Facility to employ more than 150 people by end of 2011

Suntech today opened its first U.S. solar module production facility in Goodyear, Arizona.  The new Arizona facility has an initial 30MW of annual capacity and Suntech is already making plans to expand the facility to 50MW early next year.  The facility will employ more than 75 operators, engineers and professionals by the end of 2010 and targets to employ more than 150 people by the end of 2011.  Suntech plans to expand the solar module production facility, in concert with the growing U.S. solar industry, to reach up to 120MW of annual production capacity.

SunTech's Arizona facility will initially focus on producing Suntech’s 280W Vd-series solar modules, primarily used for commercial and utility-scale electricity generation. All solar modules produced at the facility will be compliant for procurement in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) projects.  On October 12-14, Suntech will be displaying its new, US-manufactured, ARRA-compliant solar module at the Solar Power International show at the Los Angeles Convention Center, CA.

“Our new U.S. manufacturing plant will provide a local platform to meet the burgeoning demand for solar products in the U.S. and Canadian markets, which we expect to exceed 1GW for the first time in 2010,” said Steven Chan, President of Suntech America. “This new facility represents yet another milestone of our ongoing investment in North America."

Suntech is one of many companies that have selected Arizona for solar production.  Suntech cited cost as well as the state's clear and consistent policy commitment to the growth and development of solar, including the state’s policy to meet 15% of its energy consumption with renewable sources by 2025, as reasons for selecting Arizona as the location for their solar module production facility.