Suntech unveiled the location of its first U.S. manufacturing plant in the U.S. The company will establish a manufacturing facility in the Greater Phoenix Arizona area, and plans the initial capacity to be 30 MW, with production set to begin in 2010.

Suntech will be the first Chinese cleantech leader to bring jobs in manufacturing to America. The Greater Phoenix area was chosen for the location of the plant because of the advanced research in solar technology done by Arizona State University, along with the state's renewable energy policies, like the Renewable Energy Standard and distributed generation set-aside. The Greater Phoenix Economic Council has also shown a supportive local business climate. Over 75 full-time employees will be employed by the plant, and after the launch of the project, its staff may be doubled with the development of the North American market.

The construction of the plant in the vicinity of Suntech's U.S. customers will ensure that costs are lower and that emissions are reduced in terms of the shipping of Suntech panels.

[source: Suntech]