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Suntech Power Holdings' first thin-film line using Applied Materials' ‘SunFab’ turnkey technology will complete installation by the end of the year, noted Dr. Stuart Wenham, Suntech’s Chief Technology Officer, during a conference call with financial analysts.

Production is expected to start straight away with panels sent for certification in early 2009, Wenham said. Customer shipments are expected to begin in the second half of the year.

However, Suntech said that the 50MW line is only going to produce between 15 and 20MW of thin-film modules in 2009 as the company announced a halt to further c-Si capacity expansions next year.