“We are very proud to become the world's first PV solar company to achieve 1GW of solar cell and module production capacity,” says Dr Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Chairman and CEO.
The new 18,000 m2 headquarters incorporate a large on-grid PV facade system, with over 2,552 semi-transparent Light Thru™ solar panels and an annual power output of over 1 GWh of electricity.
The 1 MW solar facade was installed by Suntech's in-house system integration team, which has completed a range of building integrated solar systems, including the 120 kW Beijing Jingya Hotel Curtain Wall and 800 kW Light Thru system at the Wuxi Airport.
“The connection of the 1 MW solar facade to the local electricity grid is another important step towards the ongoing development of the Chinese solar market," adds Shi.
"There are a number of significant solar projects that are currently being developed in China including the 3 MW solar roof project for the World Expo Shanghai 2010, and several 10 MW+ projects that are in the early development and bidding phase in Dunhuang city, Yunnan province and Qinghai province. These solar projects are reflective of China's commitment to sustainable energy generation and the growing momentum in the domestic solar market."