New Product: Suntech’s Reliathon platform reduces large-utility scale solar system costs by 10%

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  Array Suntech Tracker Module

Product Briefing Outline: Suntech Power has introduce ‘Reliathon’, an industry-first integrated solar platform combining product and business-term innovations to lower costs and accelerate the path to grid parity with the development of utility-scale solar plants. Reliathon is claimed to reduce total system costs as much as 10%, with 13.8% more power warranted over the lifetime of the system.

Problem: Replacing the industry's current 'patchwork' approach to designing large- scale systems, Reliathon combines Suntech module innovations, a new utility- grade warranty for the Suntech module, as well as pre-agreed preferential pricing and business terms with industry-leading inverter and tracking companies Advanced Energy, Array Technologies, Satcon, Siemens Industry and SMA.

Solution: Key products included in the Reliathon system include the new Suntech Reliathon 270-watt module, which is self-aligning with integrated grounding, and wire management, as well as a new ‘Two-in-One’ design, that has two 36-cell regions featuring independent circuits that can create better output on fixed tilt systems in early morning and late afternoon.  Utility-grade Reliathon module warranty: The Reliathon module includes a 25-year utility-grade warranty offering 12-year limited product warranty (extended from 5 years) and a 25-year peak power performance warranty now based on annual degradation instead of 12 and 25-year step-downs. The new annual peak power performance warranty provides Reliathon module buyers with 13.8% more warranted power over 25 years. Overall, the new terms warrant an industry-leading 85% power output level at 25 years. Power plant customers purchasing a Reliathon system will have access to customized Reliathon partner products at preferred pricing and pre-negotiated business terms offered by Advanced Energy, Array Technologies, Satcon, Siemens Industry and SMA

Applications: Large-scale utility power projects, U.S. region.

Platform: The Reliathon system uses Array Technologies' ‘DuraTrack’ ground mount system, which was designed specifically for Suntech Reliathon, and makes use of two motors per MW AC versus the typical four motors per MW, further reducing the material costs of the system.

Availability: Reliathon modules and system components will be available in the United States for immediate orders with shipment scheduled in Q2 2010.