Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE) ("Yingli Green Energy" or the "Company"), a leading solar energy company and one of the world's largest vertically integrated photovoltaic ("PV") manufacturers, which markets its products under the brand "Yingli Solar", has successfully completed its Fifth Annual Customer Conference at the Home of FIFA, the Company's partner in developing a greener world through the passion of football, in Zurich, Switzerland. Yingli Green Energy was the first Chinese and the first renewable energy company in history to sponsor the FIFA World Cup™ in 2010 and 2014.
Approximately 200 customers, partners and representatives from renowned international research institutes have joined the event in Zurich, the Swiss city located in the heart of Europe. The conference was opened by a welcome speech from Mr. Joseph S. Blatter, President of FIFA, who attended the conference together with Mr. Thierry Weil, FIFA Director of Marketing. Keynote speeches from Yingli Green Energy's Senior Vice President, Mr. Zhiheng Zhao, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Bryan Li and Chief Strategy Officer, Mr. Yiyu Wang followed.
"We are honored that Yingli was able to host such an important event at the Home of FIFA. Yingli Solar is a leader in the renewable industry and we are proud that Yingli is part of our family. Yingli did not only bring forth the knowledge of renewable energy to FIFA, but also to the world of football. Football is the largest and most popular sport in the world. Together with our passion for football and responsibility towards the environment, we are able to create a better and more sustainable future", said Mr. Joseph S. Blatter, President of FIFA.
"The solar industry is now at a critical turning point which will determine its long-term prosperity. We as a leading solar player are very well positioned to weather the headwinds. Our success demonstrates the attractiveness of our value proposition, brand reputation, strong partnerships and highly motivated employees. This year, we have become the global leader as measured by module shipment volume and we are confident to maintain this upward trend," said Mr. Zhiheng Zhao, Senior Vice President of Yingli Green Energy.
"Regardless of the current disruptions and building on the trust we have established with our long-term customers and partners, Yingli Green Energy has always proven to be able to come out as a winner in a highly competitive market. We are very proud to say that there is now more than 4.5 GW of Yingli Solar modules installed worldwide in 38 countries. We remain confident to be able to continuously differentiate ourselves and be the supplier of choice to our committed partners," said Mr. Yiyu Wang, Chief Strategy Officer of Yingli Green Energy.
"We successfully navigated the policy uncertainty here in Europe and are working closely together with our customers on strategies to tackle new markets even beyond public incentives. It goes without saying that the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy complaint filed at the EU commission in July and September this year has cast a shadow on the European solar industry. However, we retain our optimism that Europe will remain a significant market for Yingli Green Energy, given the rapid reduction in the cost of solar deployment, electricity price inflation and the 2020 climate targets," said Darren Thompson, Managing Director of Yingli Green Energy International AG.