Solar EnerTech Establishes Joint Venture With Jiangsu Shunda Semiconductor Development Co. Ltd.
- JV Enhances Presence and Solar Opportunities in U.S. Market -
MENLO PARK, Calif., April 28 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Solar EnerTech
Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: SOEN) (the "Company") today announced the
establishment of a joint venture with Jiangsu Shunda Semiconductor Development
Co. Ltd. ("Jiangsu Shunda"), a leading PV raw material manufacturer, to pursue
solar expansion opportunities in the U.S. region.
Jiangsu Shunda is one of the largest polysilicon and wafer manufacturers
in China, with an annual production output of approximately 1,500 metric tons
of polysilicon.
The U.S. JV company, which will be called Shunda-SolarE Technologies, Inc.,
is expected to begin operating in early May of 2009. The joint venture is
expected to utilize Jiangsu Shunda's strength in polysilicon and wafer supply
and Solar EnerTech's advanced solar cell technologies as well as its resources
in the U.S. market. Overall, both parties believe the joint venture
establishes a vertically integrated operation in the U.S. market with services
ranging from the production of polysilicon to ingots and wafers, to solar
cells, panels and solar system installation.
Jiangsu Shunda and Solar EnerTech contributed $1.0 million and $0.7
million in cash respectively to the initial setup cost of the JV. Jiangsu
Shunda will own 55% of the JV company, Solar EnerTech will own 35% and the
management of the JV will own the remaining 10%. Mr. Yunda Ni, President of
Jiangsu Shunda will serve as the JV Chairman of the Board, Mr. Leo Young, CEO
of Solar EnerTech will serve as the Board's Vice Chairman. The Board of
Directors will be comprised of five seats, three of which will be reserved for
Jiangsu Shunda and two for Solar EnerTech. A Chief Executive Officer of
Shunda-SolarE Technologies is expected to be identified in the near future.
Mr. Leo Young, CEO of Solar EnerTech, commented, "We are extremely pleased
to establish this joint venture with Jiangsu Shunda, a highly successful
polysilicon manufacturer in China. We have a compelling opportunity to
penetrate the U.S. market with the establishment of this JV. Solar EnerTech
has strong R&D capabilities supported by an outstanding technical team, and a
fully operational U.S. office governed by experienced management whereas
Jiangsu Shunda maintains a UL listing, which is instrumental in conducting
large scale operations in the U.S. market, and controls the upstream supply
which can provide large volumes of silicon feedstock to the JV in order to
secure sizeable contract orders in the growing U.S. market. Together, we can
more easily penetrate U.S. solar opportunities and establish Shunda-SolarE as
a leading brand recognized for high quality solar products and service. We
plan on providing investors with additional information on this JV in the
coming weeks and months ahead."
Mr. Ni, President of Jiangsu Shunda commented, "The goal of this joint
venture is to build market share in the U.S. and maximize profitability.
There is great synergy between both companies as well as with myself and Leo.
Together, we believe we have an excellent opportunity to expand our market
presence in the U.S. We look forward to a successful venture together."
Additional information on this joint venture can be found in the Company's
filing with the SEC.
About Jiangsu Shunda
Based in Yangzhou, China, JiangSu Shunda Group focuses on the photovoltaic
market and produces polysilicon, monocrystalline ingots, and wafers. With an
annual production output of approximately 1,500 metric tons of polysilicon,
Jiangsu Shunda Semiconductor is one of the largest polysilicon and wafer
manufacturers in China.
About Solar EnerTech Corp.
Solar EnerTech is a photovoltaic ("PV") solar energy cell manufacturing
enterprise incorporated in the United States with its corporate office in
Menlo Park, California. The Company has established a sophisticated 63,000
square foot manufacturing plant located in China, in Shanghai's Jinqiao Modern
Technology Park. Currently, the Company is capable of producing 50MW of solar
cells from its existing production line.
Solar EnerTech has also established a Joint R&D Lab at Shanghai University
to develop higher efficiency cells and to put the results of that research to
use in its manufacturing processes. Led by one of the industry's top
scientists, the Company expects its R&D program to help bring Solar EnerTech
to the forefront of advanced solar technology research and production.
Safe Harbor Statement
Statements contained in this press release, which are not historical facts,
are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are
based largely on current expectations and are subject to a number of known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond our control that could
cause actual events and results to differ materially from these statements.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which are relevant as of the date of the given press release and should not be
relied upon as of any subsequent date. Solar EnerTech undertakes no obligation
to update publicly any forward-looking statements.