Opsun looks to grow in N. America with China Sunergy

Chinese solar cell manufacturer China Sunergy (Nasdaq:CSUN) has entered into a framework agreement to deliver 100 megawatts of its products to Canadian solar manufacturer Opsun Technologies between now and 2014.

The new agreement is expected to take advantage of existing relationships to grow China Sunergy’s sales and also develop specialized solar cells for future projects. It includes delivering 100 megawatts of solar cells and modules, with the modules being provided through original equipment manufacturers.

Quebec-based Opsun expects to incorporate China’s Sunergy’s solar cell technology into its photovoltaic panels, modules and concentrated products, with sales primarily focused on Canada’s Ontario, Quebec, and the northeastern United States.

“As Opsun integrates China Sunergy's components into our new product lines, we will be in a stronger position to rapidly become a significant player in North America's fast growing photovoltaic market," said Opsun’s Chairman Raymond Gilbert, in a news release.

Nanjing, China-based China Sunergy sells solar cell products to Chinese and overseas module manufacturers and system integrators (see China Sunergy partners with Italian solar manufacture and China Sunergy moves into Australia with 10 MW in sales contracts).

China Sunergy said it is also looking to improve its existing solar cell technology to deliver specialized solar products to Opsun. These are expected to be embedded in Opsun’s three times concentrated photovoltaic systems, which use dual-axis tracking systems.

The news comes following China Sunergy’s announcement earlier this month where it sought and subsequently received permission from a Norwegian district court to extend an existing injunction concerning REC Wafer Norway (see China Sunergy seeks REC Wafer injunction extension). The injunction prevents against REC Wafer Norway from drawing on $50 million in bank guarantees.

China Sunergy also filed a judicial order claiming REC Wafer Norway is not and hasn’t been involved in a contract between China Sunergy and the dissolved company REC SiTech. The court ruled that the injunction is expected to remain in force until the issue covered by the writ is resolved.

REC SiTech merged with REC ScanWafer, which later changed its name to REC Wafer Norway. China Sunergy said it wasn’t informed of the merger despite contractual obligations to be notified.

According to China Sunergy, the court found it "proven probable that China Sunergy has the right to resist the merger between REC SiTech and REC ScanWafer. It is specifically stated in the agreement that no third party has any rights under the agreement."

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