SAN FRANCISCO, November 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest producer of solar panels, today announced that its Wd poly, Wd mono and Ve poly series modules are highly resistant to potential-induced degradation (PID) as confirmed in recent tests performed by the Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies (VDE), one of the world's leading testing and certification institutes.
According to the VDE test report, the tested Suntech modules "show no significant degradation at the end of the test sequence..." with all of the modules exhibiting negligible change in output power within the test lab measurement accuracy, and no changes in visual appearance.
"This near-perfect result meets our quality expectations," said Stefan Jarnason, Technical Director at Suntech Power Australia and one of the world's foremost experts in module reliability testing. "Amidst a highly-competitive global market, Suntech continues to focus on helping customers achieve a better levelized cost of energy and long term energy yields instead of just lower sticker prices."
The stringent PID test sequence, which is based on the protocol established by TUV Rhineland, begins with flash-testing the modules to determine their electrical performance characteristics, as well as an inspection using electroluminescence (EL) imaging. Then, the modules are subjected to high humidity and negative voltages of 1000 volts for one week. Finally, the modules are again tested for electrical performance and for any visual defects using EL imaging.
Solar systems often operate in difficult environmental conditions with the potential to stress the photovoltaic modules and accelerate module degradation. Through careful and diligent material selection, manufacturing processes, and quality control procedures, Suntech significantly reduces performance risks associated with PID.
To learn more about Suntech's commitment in quality control, please visit the Suntech Connect blog, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @Suntech_Connect for regular updates.
About Suntech
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP) produces industry-leading solar products for residential, commercial, industrial, and utility applications. With regional headquarters in China, Switzerland, and the United States, and gigawatt-scale manufacturing worldwide, Suntech has delivered more than 25 million photovoltaic panels to over a thousand customers in more than eighty countries. Suntech's pioneering R&D creates customer-centric innovations that are driving solar to grid parity against fossil fuels. Suntech's mission is to provide everyone with reliable access to nature's cleanest and most abundant energy source.
For more information about Suntech's people and products visit: http://www.suntech-power.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This communication contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements, and include actual PID of Suntech modules. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Suntech's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. Suntech does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.
For further information, please contact:
Walker Frost
Communications Manager
Tel: +1 (415) 268-8881
Email: walker.frost@suntech-power.com
