Suntech's head of U.S. operations leaves company

BANGALORE/LOS ANGELES, July 13 (Reuters) - Steven Chan, president of Suntech Power Holdings Co's U.S. operations, has decided to leave the Chinese solar power company that is listed in the United States, according to an email sent to Reuters. He gave no reason for the decision.

Chan said in his email that he has passed on his responsibilities to Andrew Beebe and Len May to manage the world's largest solar panel maker starting from the third quarter. Beebe is the firm's chief commercial officer.

"This might come across as being a bit sudden, but the management felt that a quick transition would be better and Andrew, Len have both been with Suntech for a number of years so it should be a seamless change," Chan said in the email.

Chan, who had been with Suntech for five years, said he is yet to decide on his next career move.

Many solar power companies have been hit by lower subsidies in major European markets that is weighing on their sales and prices.

Suntech's rivals ReneSola Ltd , STR Holdings , China Sunergy Co and SunPower have already flagged shrinking profit margins or sales.

However, in the long run, the U.S. market is widely seen as a growth area for solar power companies, replacing traditional strongholds like Germany, Spain and Italy. (Reporting by Sakthi Prasad and Nichola Groom; Editing by Matt Driskill)