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Suntech Joins PV CYCLE Association to Develop Solar Module Recycling Program

2009-05-07 20:45 1201

Collaboration Will Advance Internal Module Recycling Initiative

SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland and WUXI, China, May 7 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest manufacturer of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules, announced that it has joined the PV CYCLE association which is engaged in establishing a voluntary

take-back and recycling program for end-of-life PV modules.

"Sustainability and minimizing the impact of energy generation on the environment are two of the key principles driving the development of solar energy," said Jerry Stokes, Suntech's Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. "We believe that module life-cycle management and comprehensive recycling is a natural extension of these concepts."

"With over 1.1GW of Suntech solar products shipped worldwide since our inception, we believe it is essential that Suntech take a proactive role in developing effective recycling programs. We are looking forward to collaborating with the PV CYCLE association and further developing our internal module recycling initiative," added Mr. Stokes.

"PV CYCLE welcomes Suntech as the latest member to our Association, which now covers around 80% of the European photovoltaic market with its 35 member companies spread around the globe. We look forward to seeing many more members joining our voluntary take-back and recycling program. We need to ensure the inclusion of all photovoltaic manufacturers and importers enforcing and maximizing the representation of our responsibility as producers. Doing so will make the photovoltaic industry truly DoubleGreen," declared Jan Clyncke, Managing Director of PV CYCLE aisbl.

PV modules are designed to generate clean, renewable energy for over 25 years. With the first significant installations in the early 1990s, full-scale end-of-life recycling is still another 10 to 15 years away. Nevertheless, the PV CYCLE association is already developing concrete plans to develop a recycling program that minimizes waste and maximizes re-use of valuable resources such as glass, silicon and aluminum.

About PV CYCLE

PV CYCLE was founded in 2007 with the specific purpose of implementing the photovoltaic industry's commitment to set up a voluntary take-back and recycling program for end-of-life waste PV modules.

To produce green and renewable energy, end-of-life modules need to be recovered and recycled. This will minimise waste and allow the re-use of valuable raw materials to produce new modules.

By closing the life cycle of photovoltaic modules, industry players take their responsibility and are "Making the photovoltaic industry DoubleGreen."

About Suntech

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP) is the world's leading solar energy company as measured by production output of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules. Suntech designs, develops, manufactures, and markets premium-quality, high-output, cost-effective and environmentally friendly solar products for electric power applications in the residential, commercial, industrial, and public utility sectors. Suntech's patent-pending Pluto technology for crystalline silicon solar cells improves power output by up to 12% compared to conventional production methods.

Suntech also offers one of the broadest ranges of building-integrated solar products under the MSK Solar Design Line(TM). Suntech designs and delivers commercial and utility scale solar power systems through its wholly owned subsidiaries Suntech Energy Solutions and Suntech Energy Engineering. With regional headquarters in China, Switzerland and San Francisco and sales offices worldwide, Suntech is passionate about improving the environment we live in and dedicated to developing advanced solar solutions that enable sustainable development. For more information, please visit http://www.suntech-power.com .

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, and includes Suntech's ability to develop a comprehensive module recycling program. 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:

For PV CYCLE:

Jan Clyncke

Tel: +32-2-400-10-96

Email: info@pvcycle.org

For Suntech:

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. (Investor Relations Counsel, Suntech)

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

Email: suntech@tpg-ir.com

Source: Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
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