Global Solar Leaders and UNEP Outline Central Role for Solar in Climate Solution at United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poland
POZNAN,
leading international solar companies and the United Nations Environment
Program (UNEP) — Dr.
Leggett
First Solar, and
United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan,
rapid implementation and expansion of policies designed to support the growth
of the solar industry and the global adoption of solar technology as a major
contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction in support of global climate
goals.
The four representatives stated that solar technology is already a
cost-effective alternative for generating electricity and countries world-wide
should immediately revise energy development plans to include a higher
proportion of this clean and sustainable energy source: “Solar technology is
no longer a niche energy solution, but is already reaching the scale and cost
points to fundamentally change the way we generate electricity. As a result
of substantial investments over the past 5 years, the solar industry has
dramatically improved solar technologies and established roadmaps for further
cost reductions. In fact, electricity generated from solar installations is
already reaching parity with peak energy and retail energy prices in many
regions.”
“Now is the time for world leaders, businesses and communities to build
the platform for solar to be adopted on a much greater scale. This will not
only improve energy autonomy, but also serve to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions and deliver an economically viable solution to climate change. We
believe that the global climate change deal agreed to in
of 2009 should include concrete targets and policies for a rapid transition to
solar in the coming decades.”
The group encouraged the adoption of a set of major climate and energy
policies to enable solar to make a significant contribution toward GHG-
reduction and economic-development goals, including:
-- Stringent, ambitious, international and national carbon regulation
policies;
-- Enforceable renewables mandates with a solar carve out or credit
multiplier for solar energy;
-- Near-term incentives that could include feed-in tariffs, partial
rebates, tax credits and/or property-based loans;
-- And favorable net metering, interconnection, permitting and land-use
policies.
Dr.
said: “At Suntech Power we are dedicated to reducing the cost of solar
electricity to grid parity through increasing economies of scale, improving
efficient utilization of raw materials such as silicon, and developing more
advanced technology and new applications. We believe that clean technology
can help us to combat climate change and simultaneously become a significant
driver for new economic development.”
He continued: “Setting addressable renewable energy targets, and
specifically solar targets, is central to developing a stable market and
motivating continuous investment.
goals that have helped to create a backdrop for a growing renewable energy
industry such as a national renewable energy standard of 15% by 2020; a
commitment to invest
aggressive energy efficiency standards for buildings. At the same time,
has incubated many solar companies, such as Suntech, and is now the third-
largest source of solar PV products for the global market.”
leader in building-integrated solar, Solarcentury expects to see buildings
routinely becoming power plants in the years ahead, generating all their own
electricity and heating needs in situ, and often more than they need, making
them net exporters of energy. With the right partners in the construction
industry, we can put up zero-emissions buildings in a matter of weeks: not the
years that conventional power plants require. We are seeing some excellent
progress with European support, particularly with the incentive of strong
feed-in tariffs, but we need very much more.”
He continued: “When you consider that in
emissions come from buildings, directly and indirectly, you get a sense of how
excited we are about our industry’s ability to contribute in the fight against
global warming. Solarcentury will be publishing a book next year presenting a
vision of the future, and mapping the emerging solar revolution. We are
calling it “The Solar Century,” because that is what the twenty-first century
has to be. We’re proud to be doing this from the UK, not traditionally seen
as the hub of solar power innovation. The future can be bright if governments
understand the opportunities and help unleash the potential of solar.”
industry is much closer to generating affordable solar power than most people
realize. In the last 4 years, First Solar has lowered the cost of
manufacturing our modules by two-thirds and the company is now the world’s
largest manufacturer of thin firm photovoltaic solar modules. Looking ahead
to the next 2-4 years, First Solar will be in a position to produce power from
the sun at costs competitive with conventional electricity generated from
fossil fuels, paving the way for a large-scale transition to the cleaner
energies we need to prevent irreversible damage to our planet.”
He continued: “Led by
in the U.S. have adopted renewable portfolio standards, which together with
favorable tax incentives and other policies, has emerged as an important
driver in increasing solar power generation. President-elect Obama throughout
his campaign and transition has consistently championed the imperative of
enacting a new set of federal policies to enable a sustainable U.S. renewable
energy industry. While acknowledging how quickly and how far solar technology
and solar costs have improved, much work remains and we call on world leaders
assembled in Poznan to adopt policies individually and collectively that allow
PV to demonstrate its full potential.”
The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan,
step on the road to establishing an effective global response to climate
change at
participants, including delegates from 186 Parties to the United Nations
Framework on Climate Change (UNFCC) and representatives from business and
industry, environmental organizations and research institutions. The Parties
to the UNFCC are expected to agree on a plan of action for the final year of
negotiations about the commitments which will be undertaken in the
agreement in 2009.
About Suntech
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP) is a world-leading solar
energy company as measured by both production output and capacity of solar
cells and modules. Suntech is passionate about improving the environment we
live in and dedicated to developing advanced solar solutions that enable
sustainable development. Suntech designs, develops, manufactures, and markets
a variety of high-quality, cost-effective and environmentally friendly solar
products for electric power applications in the residential, commercial,
industrial, and public utility sectors. Suntech offers one of the broadest
ranges of BIPV products under the MSK Solar Design Line(TM). Suntech has
sales offices worldwide and is a market share leader in key global solar
markets. For more information, please visit http://www.suntech-power.com .
About Solarcentury
Solarcentury is one of
specialising in the design and supply of building integrated solar thermal and
solar electric technology. Solarcentury is in business for a purpose: to help
create a cleaner world and a sustainable future. The company offers support
and guidance throughout the entire micro renewable planning and development
process, from land appraisal through to design, installation and marketing.
Founded by Executive Chairman
based in
installed over 600 solar systems including those on the Eden Project, Vauxhall
Cross Bus Terminal and
network of associate installers and is the founding company of the schools
initiative Solar4Schools.
In 2007 it was awarded an Ashden Award for its commitment to renewable
energy by Nobel Peace Prize winner
the UK’s Fastest Growing Renewable Energy Company by The Sunday Times Tech
Track 100. http://www.solarcentury.com
About First Solar
First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) is the largest thin film solar module
manufacturer in the world. First Solar manufactures solar modules with an
advanced thin film semiconductor process and provides comprehensive system
solutions that significantly reduce solar electricity costs. By enabling
clean, renewable electricity at affordable prices, First Solar provides an
economic alternative to peak conventional electricity and the related fossil
fuel dependence, greenhouse gas emissions and peak time grid constraints.
First Solar has set the benchmark for environmentally responsible product life
cycle management by introducing the industry’s first comprehensive collection
and recycling program for solar modules. From raw material sourcing through
end of life collection and recycling, First Solar is focused on creating
cost-effective renewable energy solutions that protect and enhance the
environment. First Solar modules have the lowest life cycle environmental
impact of current PV technologies. In addition, PV power plants generate
electricity with no air emissions, no waste stream and no water use.
About UNEP
UNEP, established in 1972, is the voice for the environment within the
United Nations system. UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and
facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global
environment. To accomplish this, UNEP works with a wide range of partners,
including United Nations entities, international organizations, national
governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and civil
society.
UNEP work encompasses:
-- Assessing global, regional and national environmental conditions and
trends
-- Developing international and national environmental instruments
-- Strengthening institutions for the wise management of the environment
-- Facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology for sustainable
development
-- Encouraging new partnerships and mind-sets within civil society and the
private sector.
UNEP’s global and cross-sectoral outlook is reflected in its
organizational structure, its activities and is personnel. Being based in
facing the world’s developing countries.
To ensure its global effectiveness UNEP supports six regional offices,
plus a growing network of centres of excellence such as the Global Resource
Information Database (GRID) centres and the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring
Centre (UNEP-WCMC). UNEP also has major offices in
its Division of Technology, Industry and Economics is situated.
UNEP also hosts several environmental convention secretariats including
the Ozone Secretariat and the Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund, CITES
(the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora), the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on Migratory
Species, and a growing family of chemicals-related agreements, including the
Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and the
recently negotiated Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
(POPs).
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release 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,
including the ability of solar companies to reduce cost and achieve grid
parity, and the ability of solar to provide a cost-effective energy
alternative and solution to climate change. 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 about Suntech, please contact:
In China:
Rory Macpherson
Investor Relations Director
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86-21-6288-5574
Email: rory@suntech-power.com
In the United States:
Sanjay M. Hurry
Vice President
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
Email: suntech@tpg-ir.com
For further information about Solarcentury, please contact:
Seb Berry, Head of Public Affairs
Tel: +44-7949-208-187
Email: seb.berry@solarcentury.com
Charlotte Webster, Public Relations
Tel: +44-7990-583-307
Email: charlotte.webster@solarcentury.com
Solarcentury
91-94 Lower Marsh
Waterloo, London, UK. SE1 7AB
For further information about First Solar, please contact:
Lisa Morse, Communications
Tel: +1-602-414-9361
Email: lmorse@firstsolar.com
Web: http://www.firstsolar.com
Photos available at http://firstsolar.com/media.php
For further information about UNEP, please contact:
Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson and Head of Media,
Mobile: +254-733-632755 or when traveling: +41-795-965-737
Email: nick.nuttall@unep.org
SOURCE Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.