Suntech to supply PV modules for 100-MW projects in South Africa

Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (NYSE: STP) on December 10, 2012, said it will supply about 100 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for two projects in South Africa.

The company did not disclose financial details.

A consortium led by Mainstream Renewable Power is developing the PV projects at two separate sites in the Northern Cape of South Africa. The projects will be designed and constructed by Siemens and will be operational by mid-2014.

“We are excited to be partnering with Mainstream Renewable Power, one of the world’s leading developers of renewable energy projects, and Siemens, which is renowned for its engineering and implementation expertise. These landmark projects will showcase the ability of solar to provide clean and sustainable energy to South African communities,” Suntech Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David King said in a statement.

The solar projects will use Suntech’s V series modules, which are well-suited for utility-scale power plant installations.

The solar systems are expected to generate 180 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity, enough to power about 15,000 households and displace about 180,000 tons of carbon emissions per year.

The solar plants are among the first projects to be granted licenses under South Africa’s first Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP). The programme targets the installation of 1.45 GW of PV solar plants by the end of 2014 and 8.2 GW by 2030.

“With rapid cost declines over the past decade, solar is not only environmentally friendly, but also cost competitive with many other forms of energy generation. We are confident that South Africa’s clear renewable energy policy will provide a blueprint for other countries in the region,” Suntech’s Founder and Executive Chairman Dr. Zhengrong Shi said in a statement.

Suntech produces solar products for residential, commercial, industrial, and utility applications. The company has regional headquarters in China, Switzerland, and the United States.

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