Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.(NYSE: STP), one of the world's largest producers of solar panels, and SunSystem S.p.A., a leading Italian solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company, have signed a contract for Suntech to supply 25 megawatts (MW) of polycrystalline solar panels. The Suntech solar panels will power two new photovoltaic projects under construction in Romania that will be grid connected by the end of 2013.
"We are pleased to collaborate with SunSystem, a leading EPC company in Italy and Romania. Suntech's collaboration with SunSystem marries global expertise with best practices to deliver reliable and cost-effective solar to Romanian communities," said Vincenzo Quintani, South-East Europe Sales Director, Suntech. "This project, along with our recent contract with EDP Renovaveis, underscores the viability of our growth strategy in Eastern Europe."
Davide Scarantino, Managing Director of SunSystem, said, "Our entrance in Romania is part of our strategy to diversify the markets we operate in, and capitalize on our experience and technical knowledge in developing burgeoning solar markets in Europe."
The two power plants will utilize Suntech's 60-cell polycrystalline modules, STP 245-20/Wd, with a improved frame design and more than 15% efficiency, ideally suited for large-scale commercial projects and rooftop installations. The power plants will use Aros Sirio K500 HV-MT inverters made by Italian manufacturer Aros Technology Srl. The installed Suntech solar panels will generate an estimated 30,000 MW-hours of electricity per year.
The power plants will be operated by SunSystem and developed by RoEnergy, a SunSystem company in Romania. Since its inception, SunSystem has installed more than 2,000 solar systems, of which 700 were installed in 2012.