Suntech Solar Panels Review
Suntech was the world’s biggest producer of solar panels in 2010 and was one the first companies to set up operations in China. Its example was followed by a host of other Chinese companies. Suntech has been slow to expand compared to the fast growing small companies in China and has lost marketshare to them. It has started to vertically integrate in order to meet the low cost challenge from Trina and Yingli. Suntech makes one of the best quality Solar Panels in China.
The company was founded in 2001 by the solar scientist Dr. Zhengrong Shi and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Suntech offers solar products for every application and market, from off-grid systems, to homes, to the world’s largest solar power plants. Their solar modules are installed in over 80 countries. Suntech has offices in 13 countries, including regional headquarters in San Francisco, California; Schaffhausen, Switzerland; and Wuxi, China. The manufacturing sites are located in China, Japan and the United States.
MODULE PRODUCTION
Cells with similar electrical characteristics are matched during module assembly to minimize efficiency losses. Laminated modules are equipped with corrosion-resistant frames and weather-proof electrical components to create a durable, water-tight product.
TYPE OF MODULES
The Suntech Solar Modules can be broadly divided for: Residential, Commercial & Utility Scale purposes.
1) Residential
i) Wde
- The cost optimized module with aesthetic appeal in a universal format
- 60-cell Polycrystalline Solar Module
- Watts: 240w-245w
- Dimensions: 1640 x 992 x 35mm
- Black Frame
- Compatible with industry’s leading micro-inverters.
ii) Wdb
- The module built for performance and aesthetics in a universal format
- 60-cell Monocrystalline Solar Module
- Watts: 250w-255w
- Dimensions: 1640 x 992 x 35mm
- All Black Module
- Compatible with industry’s leading micro-inverters.
2) Commercial
i) Wde
- The cost optimized module with aesthetic appeal in a universal format
- 60-cell Polycrystalline Solar Module
- Watts: 240w-245w
- Dimensions: 1640 x 992 x 35mm
- Black Frame
- Compatible with industry’s leading micro-inverters.
ii) Wd
- The cost optimized module in a universal format
- 60-cell Polycrystalline Solar Module
- Watts: 240w-245w
- Dimensions: 1640 x 992 x 35mm
- Compatible with industry’s leading micro-inverters.
iii) Ve
- The module built to withstand tough environments in a large scale format
- Watts: 290w-300w
- Dimensions: 1956 x 992 x 40mm
- Rated to UL 1000V.
iv) Vd
- The module built to withstand tough environments in a large scale format
- Buy American Act & ARRA Compliant
- Watts: 290w-295w
- Dimensions: 1956 x 992 x 50mm.
3) Utility-Scale
i) Reliathon
- Complete Integrated BOS platform for utility-scale solar
- Watts: 285w-295w
- Dimensions: 1956 x 1066 x 50mm.
ii) Ve
- The module built to withstand tough environments in a large scale forma
- Watts: 290w-300w
- Dimensions: 1956 x 992 x 40mm
- Rated to UL 1000V.
iii) Vd
- The module built to withstand tough environments in a large scale format
- Buy American Act & ARRA Compliant
- Watts: 290w-295w
- Dimensions: 1956 x 992 x 50mm.
MANAGEMENT BLUNDERS
Suntech was the biggest solar panel supplier in 2011 shipping almost 2000 MW of solar modules to various countries around the globe. Suntech, is one of the oldest and biggest Chinese solar companies, despite losing marketshare to other Chinese companies like Trina Solar, Canadian Solar and others. Though most of solar share prices have crashed in the last year by 80-90%, from their peaks, Suntech’s share price fell sharply from its all time low and settled below a dollar, after it was revealed that the company failed to do due diligence on hundreds of millions of dollars in German Government bonds.
Suntech’s management is the worst amongst the Chinese solar companies given the number of mistakes it has made till date despite the initial mover advantage, plus the strong support from the Chinese Government it enjoys. The company has so much debt and its business model is in such a dire shape that only a Government bailout can keep the company alive. Suntech is now dependent on the benevolence of the Chinese Government and its banks. The company’s convertible bond prices have crashed to 40cents a dollar indicating the company’s precarious shape.
COSTS & AFFORDABILITY:
Suntech is amongst the five most cheap solar panel brands in the world. Read Five Most Affordable Solar Panel Brands. The prices the solar panels being sold are around $160-200 per 200 watt module.
However, with the Solar company bankruptcies going all around the world and the recent US-China & Euro-China Trade wars, even top Chinese Solar companies like LDK, Trina, Suntech & GCL finally accept free market reality as they cut jobs, slash production, reorganize to survive.
Suntech Job Losses
Suntech said it would cut solar cell capacity by 25 percent, through cutbacks at its Wuxi facility, near Shanghai, that would affect about 1,500 jobs. Most staff would be offered jobs at other plants but some would face severance, it said.
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