Full Description

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (Suntech), incorporated on August 8, 2005, is a solar energy company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets a variety of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules. It also provides PV system integration services in China. The Company's products are used in a variety of residential, commercial, industrial and public utility applications in various markets. Suntech sells its products in various key solar energy markets worldwide, including Spain, Germany, the United States, China, South Korea, Italy, the Middle East, Australia and Japan. As of December 31, 2008, the average conversion efficiency rates of the Company's monocrystalline and multicrystalline silicon PV cells were 17.2% and 15.2%, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company commenced the production of PV cells utilizing the Pluto technology, a next-generation PV technology that allows conversion efficiency rates in the range of 18.0% to 19.0% on PV cells manufactured with monocrystalline silicon wafers.

In January 2009, the Company acquired a 12.5% equity interest in Asia Silicon Co. Ltd. In June 2008, the Company announced that it closed the transaction to acquire the remaining equity interest in MSK Corporation. In April 2008, the Company acquired KSL-Kuttler, a Germany-based manufacturer of automation systems for the printed circuit board industry.

Most of the Company's PV cells are constructed using processed silicon, which, when exposed to sunlight, generates electric current. Interconnected PV cells are packaged into PV modules, which protect the PV cells and collect the electricity generated. PV systems comprise multiple PV modules, related power electronics and other components. PV systems are used for both on-grid generation, in which electricity generated is fed into an electricity transmission grid for sale, and off-grid generation for locations where access to the electricity transmission grid is not physically available or economically feasible. The Company produces a variety of monocrystalline and multicrystalline silicon PV cells.

Suntech produces a variety of PV modules ranging from 2 to 290 watts in power, with higher output modules under development. The Company’s PV system integration business sells solar power systems and systems technology directly to system owners. The sale of a solar power system may include services, such as engineering, procurement of permits and equipment, construction management, monitoring and maintenance. The Company offer’s PV system integration services primarily through two business units, Suntech Energy Engineering Co., Ltd. and Suntech Energy Solutions, Inc. The Company’s project development includes the design, installation and testing involved in PV system integration, as well as long-term commitments or investments into the project, which may include development, access to and arrangement of financing, and ownership of an equity interest in the project.

The Company's PV modules are formed by interconnecting multiple PV cells in the desired electrical configuration through taping and stringing. The interconnected cells are laid out and laminated in the vacuum, and then go through a curing process, or a heating process. Through these processes, its PV modules are sealed and become weatherproof, and are able to withstand high levels of ultraviolet radiation and moisture. Assembled PV modules are packaged in a protective aluminum frame prior to testing. The Company has designed and installed PV systems used in lighting for outdoor urban public facilities, in farms and villages, as well as in commercial buildings, including the 80 kilowatt (kW) curtain wall at the Beijing Jingya Hotel, an 800 kilowatt Light Thru system at the Wuxi Airport and the 1 megawatt (MW) grid-connected building.

The Company competes with Sharp Corporation, Q-Cells AG, Kyocera Corporation, Renewable Energy Corporation, SolarWorld AG and SunPower Corporation.