Suntech energizes Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi with solar energy

WUXI, CHINA & UAE: Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd, the world's largest crystalline silicon photovoltaic module manufacturer, announced recently that it has been selected by Aldar Properties PJSC to supply over 1,120 solar panels for a 292kW solar system for The Shams Tower, an iconic building on Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Enviromena, the Abu Dhabi based solar power system integrator, has designed and will install the solar system and Aldar, Abu Dhabi's leading property development, management and investment company, is developing the project.

"We commend Aldar and the Yas Marina Circuit management for incorporating Abu Dhabi's sustainable vision into the course design," said Nader Jandaghi, Suntech's Director of Middle East Sales. "They have shown motorsport enthusiasts worldwide that racing excellence can also contribute to a cleaner tomorrow. Suntech looks forward to continuing to collaborate with highly experienced partners such as Aldar and Enviromena to bring solar to the UAE."

The 2,500sqm building integrated solar array, which sits on the 60-metre high Shams Tower, will simultaneously provide shade for the car park underneath and produce 450 megawatt hours of clean, solar electricity annually. Power generated will not only offset electricity needs during motorsports events, but will also continue to power the Yas Marina Circuit facility for decades, saving 400 tons of greenhouse gases annually.

"Enviromena is delighted to be working with Aldar and Suntech on the Yas Marina Circuit. This unique project will demonstrate how solar can be incorporated into the built environment and serve as a high profile example for sustainable design in Abu Dhabi," said Sami Khoreibi, President and CEO of Enviromena.

"Suntech's expertise in building integrated solar products and commitments to quality and technology innovation are an excellent fit with Enviromena's mission to promote environmentally sustainable development in the Middle East."

Steve K. Worrell, Aldar's Director-Mixed Use Development, Yas Island Project, said, "We are very pleased that with the assistance of Enviromena and Suntech, we were able to create a solar solution that delivered impressive aesthetics and maximized solar energy production at the Yas Marina Circuit development. The government of Abu Dhabi is committed to achieving a target of 7 percent renewable energy by 2020 and Aldar is delighted to play its part in this goal."

Abu Dhabi was recently picked as the headquarters for the International Renewable Energy Agency, and continues with initiatives to show the rest of the region how clean solar energy can co-exist within population centers. Abu Dhabi's sustainability culture was the vision of His Highness, the late Founding Father and President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, who championed the cause of environmental stewardship.

This is the second high profile project in the Middle East that Suntech has participated in. Earlier this year, Suntech supplied 5MW of solar panels for a 10MW solar system to power Masdar City, the world's first carbon neutral city being built in Abu Dhabi.