News and Research on China Sunergy Co., Ltd. (CSUN)
Business Description
China Sunergy Co., Ltd. engages in the design, development, manufacture and sale of solar cells in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and overseas markets. The company manufactures its solar cells from silicon wafers utilizing crystalline silicon solar cell technology to convert sunlight directly into electricity through a process known as the photovoltaic effect. It produces both monocrystalline and multicrystalline silicon solar cells.
The company sells the solar cell products to Chinese and overseas module manufacturers and system integrators, who assemble the solar cells into solar modules and solar power systems for use in various markets. As of December 2006, the company had six solar cell manufacturing lines with an aggregate production capacity of 192 MW per year.
The company is developing selective emitter cells, an improved version of the P-type solar cells that most solar cell manufacturers produce. Using its experimental manufacturing line, the company has manufactured selective emitter cells. In addition, the company focuses on the development of process technologies for manufacturing new products, such as N-type solar cells. The company also plans to develop passivated emitter and rear cells.
Suppliers
The company’s principal suppliers of silicon wafers and other silicon-based raw materials include ET Solar Industry Limited; Baoding Tianwei Yingli New Energy Resources Co. Ltd.; Sunlight Group, Inc.; ReneSola and CEEG Nanjing International Trade Co., Ltd. The company has entered into supply contracts and framework agreements with silicon raw material manufacturers in China, such as Jiangsu Zhong Neng PV-Tech Development Co., Ltd. and Wuxi Zhong Cai Science and Technology Co., Ltd.
Markets
The company sells its solar cells primarily to module manufacturers and systems integrators, who assemble its cells into solar modules and solar power systems for use in various markets, particularly to European markets. The company makes a majority of its sales to customers located in China. The company also sells its solar cells to customers located in the Italy, South Africa and Europe countries, including Germany, and Netherlands.
Customers
During 2006, the company’s major customers included Baoding Tianwei Yingli New Energy Resources Co. Ltd.; ET Solar Industry Limited; Wuxi Guofei Green Power Source Co., Ltd.; S.E. Project; and Dutchsolar. In February 2007, the company entered into a framework sales contract with ET Solar Industry Limited and with Wuxi Guofei Green Power Source Co., Ltd.
Competition
The company’s competitors include solar power divisions of conglomerates, such as BP Solar; Kyocera; Sanyo; and Sharp Corporation. It also competes with specialized cell manufacturers, such as Motech Industries, Inc.; Q-Cells AG; Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.; Solarfun Power Holdings Co. Ltd.; and JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. Its competitors also include upstream polysilicon manufacturing to solar power system integration, such as Renewable Energy Corporation ASA.
History
China Sunergy Co., Ltd. was founded in 2004.
