Open Energy Corp. and Suntech Power Holdings have signed an exclusive agreement licensing the worldwide manufacture, distribution, and marketing of Open Energy’s building-integrated solar photovoltaic roof-tile product to Suntech. Open Energy has granted Suntech an exclusive license of the intellectual property incorporated into its SolarSave line of 50-W, 4-foot solar roof tiles and any similar or new-generation tile-roof products.
Eagle Roofing Products is expected to continue as master distributor of the solar tile product in the United States.
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“The relationship with Suntech gives Open Energy access to unmatched manufacturing capabilities and a worldwide distribution network, with particular strength in Europe and Asia,” said David Field, president/CEO of the Solana Beach, CA-based BIPV company. “This allows us to reach even more international customers and gives us the opportunity to concentrate on our award-winning and innovative product design for next-generation products.
“As the solar industry continues to grow in 2009, particularly in Europe, where BIPV solar systems enjoy substantial market premiums, it will be critical to have the reach and scale that the relationship with Suntech brings to our company,” Field continued. “We chose to work with Suntech because they have world-class manufacturing, an incredible sales force, and a solid foundation of resources and customers.”
“Open Energy is widely recognized for designing innovative, award-winning solar solutions, while Suntech is a world leader in manufacturing, marketing, and sales of solar products,” noted Leonard May, Suntech’s managing director of BIPV products. “By combining these core strengths, we are confident that we will consistently deliver innovative products, the highest quality, and outstanding value to our customers capitalizing on the strengths of both companies.”
The two companies recently partnered on the solar canopy at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. The installation features architectural PV glass panels designed by Open Energy and embedded with solar cells from Suntech, which also manufactured the custom units.
In addition, Suntech strengthened its internal BIPV assets recently, when the company bought MSK earlier this year and launched its MSK Solar Design Line of products.
