Suntech reaches 100 megawatts of solar in Israel

Chinese company Suntech, the world’s largest producer of solar panels, has now deployed over 100 megawatts of solar panels in Israel, the company announced Sunday.

Suntech, which has been operating in Israel for four years, is responsible for nearly half of the solar systems installed in the country, according to company data. Among the firm’s major clients is Arava Power Company’s Ketura Sun 4.95-MW project, the first and only medium- size field to be erected in Israel.

“We are very proud to accomplish this milestone in the Israeli market,” said Ron Shen, vice president of Suntech Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. “Since we started business here in year 2008, Suntech has been committed to the ongoing development of the Israeli solar market, and we opened an office in Tel Aviv last year to better support our local customers. With high solar irradiation and a growing demand for clean electricity, Israel is, and will continue to be, a growth market for solar.”

Across the world, Suntech has sold approximately 7 gigawatts worth of solar panels – about 25 million panels – to more than 1,000 customers in more than 80 countries. In total, the Suntech panels are now generating about 9 terawatt- hours worth of electricity per year, a number that is greater than the total energy consumption of Costa Rica or Paraguay, for example, the company said.

Danny Denan, CEO of Suntech’s largest Israel distributor, Enerpoint Israel, attributed the company’s success to its specific technology that is very adaptive to extreme desert temperatures.

“It is no surprise that Suntech has the largest market share among solar-panel providers operating in Israel,” he said.