Suntech's…Technology Achieves Efficiencies of 19% on Mono-crystalline PV Cells…in Production

Suntech's Breakthrough Pluto Technology Achieves Efficiencies of 19% on Mono- crystalline PV Cells and 17% on Multi-crystalline PV Cells in Production

--Conversion Efficiencies Independently Verified by the Fraunhofer Institute

SAN FRANCISCO and WUXI, China, March 27, 2009 /PRNewswire-Asia via COMTEX/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturer, today announced that it is routinely utilizing the Pluto technology to produce PV cells with conversion efficiencies of approximately 19% on mono-crystalline PV cells and 17% on multi-crystalline PV cells.

Suntech recently sent a number of Pluto PV cells to the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Germany for third party verification. The Fraunhofer Institute test results included a mono-crystalline Pluto PV cell with a conversion efficiency of 18.8% and a multi-crystalline Pluto PV cell with a conversion efficiency of 17.2%. Both PV cells were produced on Suntech's 34MW Pluto production line utilizing solar grade silicon wafers.

Dr. Stuart Wenham, Suntech's Chief Technology Officer said, "We are very excited about the performance of the Pluto technology. We are consistently achieving around 19% conversion efficiency on Pluto mono-crystalline PV cells and around 17% on Pluto multi-crystalline PV cells in large scale production, compared to 16.5% and 15.5% respectively using conventional screen-printed technology."

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The patent-pending Pluto technology is based on the PERL technology, developed by the University of NSW in Australia, which has achieved a world record efficiency of 25% in the laboratory. Pluto should improve power output by approximately 12% above conventional screen-printed PV cells. Unique texturing technology, with lower reflectivity, ensures more sunlight can be absorbed throughout the day even without direct solar radiation, and thinner metal lines on the top surface reduces shading loss. Suntech's Pluto technology can be applied to a variety of grades of silicon to suit multiple applications and product types.

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IN BRIEF: Suntech to Build Plants in U.S.; Biofuels, Drywall Get Cash

Chinese company says it will manufacture solar panels in the United States. Meantime, KiOR and Serious Materials close Series A and B, respectively.

by: Rachel Barron and Jennifer Kho
Bullet Arrow November 1, 2007

Chinese Company to Manufacture in U.S.

Chinese solar-cell maker Suntech Power Holdings Co. said Thursday it has started discussions to set up manufacturing plants in the United States.

"We are currently in discussion with the governors of three different states who have been recruiting us to build factories," said Roger Efird, president of Suntech America, the company's U.S. subsidiary, on a Solar Energy Industries Association conference call. "And we have actually begun looking at sites, et cetera."

The news could help calm concerns by U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Alexander Karsner that the renewable-energy manufacturing is located domestically for energy-security purposes (see Who Will Be the Middle East of Solar?).

Efird did not say when Suntech might break ground on a U.S. manufacturing plant, but indicated the company would wait until the market -- which makes up less than 10 percent of the world's solar businesss today -- is big enough to justify the investment.

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