ReneSola Rolls Out Shipments of Its New Multicrystalline Virtus Wafer and Module Lines
Company ships 54.8 MW of Virtus wafers and 20 MW of Virtus modules in June 2011
Achieves 900 MW of annual Virtus wafer production capacity
JIASHAN, China - ReneSola Ltd ("ReneSola" or the "Company") (NYSE: SOL), a leading global manufacturer of solar products, today announced that it began shipments of its Virtus wafers and modules in June, shipping an aggregate total of approximately 54.8 megawatts ("MW") of Virtus wafers and 20 MW of Virtus modules, which are manufactured using Virtus wafers, to a number of the Company's top customers in Europe. Virtus wafer production is now operating at an annual capacity of 900 MW with a target to reach 1.8 gigawatts ("GW") by the end of 2011.
The Virtus wafer was introduced in January 2011 and is regarded as one of the most efficient wafers in the industry. The Company offers a higher grade V-Grade Virtus wafer, which achieves cell conversion efficiency rates of 17.5% to 18.2%, as well as a lower grade M-Grade Virtus wafer, which achieves cell conversion efficiency rates of 16.7% to 17.0%. These high rates of efficiency are established at the wafer level prior to the cell manufacturing process, which can further increase the efficiency rate. ReneSola's Virtus modules can generate up to 250 watts ("W") of power.
The 54.8 MW of Virtus wafer shipments comprised approximately 22.7 MW of V-Grade Virtus wafers and 32.1 MW of M-Grade Virtus wafers, while the 20 MW of Virtus Module shipments fully comprised of V-Grade Virtus wafers.
ReneSola is currently in the process of applying for 10 patents related to the Virtus wafer and module, and is also applying for trademark protection in several countries.
Mr. Xianshou Li, ReneSola's chief executive officer, commented, "The dedicated work of our sales and manufacturing teams has allowed us to lead the industry as the first solar company to mass produce this advanced multicrystalline wafer technology. The Virtus wafer's high conversion efficiency and relatively low cost has attracted a wealth of interest among cell manufacturing companies. Our V-Grade Virtus wafer, which achieves a conversion efficiency rate more than 1% higher than the industry standard, has proved a worthy substitute for monocrystalline wafers with its low cost, while our M-Grade Virtus wafer's conversion efficiency is superior to the average multicrystalline wafer by up to 0.5%."
Mr. Li continued, "We've started initial shipments to our top European customers, some of whom have already requested additional shipments, and we have received excellent feedback. As we continue to experience strong demand from customers, we plan to purchase additional manufacturing equipment to increase our Virtus wafer capacity towards 1.8 GW by the end of 2011, at which time we expect the Virtus wafer to have replaced all our other multicrystalline wafers. We will also discontinue approximately 200 MW of monocrystalline wafer production, increasing our focus on multicrystalline wafers and boosting our core wafer business and growing module business."
About ReneSola
ReneSola is a leading global manufacturer of solar wafers and producer of solar power products based in China. Capitalizing on proprietary technologies, economies of scale, low-cost production capabilities and technological innovations and know-how, ReneSola leverages its in-house virgin polysilicon and solar cell and module production capabilities to provide its customers with high-quality, cost-competitive solar wafer products and processing services. The Company possesses a global network of suppliers and customers that includes some of the leading global manufacturers of solar cells and modules. ReneSola's ADSs are traded on The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: SOL).
Ms. Jessica Barist Cohen
Ogilvy Financial, New York
Tel: +1-646-460-9989
Email: sol@ogilvypr.com
SOURCE
ReneSola Ltd.
