The Export-Import Bank of the United States gave Suniva the title of -Renewable Energy Exporter of the Year-.
Suniva is a U.S. manufacturer of high-efficiency mono-crystalline silicon solar cells and modules.
The company received on March 11th, 2010 the award of "Renewable Energy Exporter of the Year" by the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Suniva received the award at the EX-IM Bank annual conference before Suniva’s John Baumstark introduced U.S. President Barack Obama to attendees
Suniva reported that more than 90 % of its products were exported to Asia and Europe in 2009. The company’s new manufacturing plant in Michigan created more than 150 new jobs and will create another 500 jobs in the near future. John Baumstark, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Suniva stated: "As America’s only manufacturer of high-efficiency, mono-crystalline solar cells, Suniva is proud to be doing its part to help make President Obama’s vision of doubling exports over the next five years a reality. The Suniva team is working hard to protect the environment and create new jobs for the next generation of Americans."
Suniva also reported it was ranked as The Wall Street Journal’s 2nd most promising venture-backed clean technology company and the 15th overall venture-backed company across all industries.
EX-IM Bank announced that it also awarded Suniva with the 2010 "Green Transaction of the Year" award at the Bank's annual conference in Washington, D.C., on March 11th, 2010. Suniva reportedly used a 2 million US-dollar EX-IM Bank short-term multi-buyer insurance policy to offer a 500,000 US-dollar credit line to a customer in India to buy its solar equipment. The bank reported that Suniva has a number of potential export deals in the pipeline.
EX-IM Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg stated: "Suniva exemplifies the innovative spirit behind the development of America's leading-edge green technology, and its export to the global marketplace. This company is growing global business and U.S. jobs at a time when many small companies are wary of exporting. We hope Suniva's receipt of this award will inspire other U.S. small businesses to increase sales through exporting, with the support of Ex-Im Bank."
Suniva reportedly grew out of the Department of Energy-funded University Center of Excellence in Photovoltaics at the Georgia Institute of Technology, a key site for silicon photovoltaics research in the U.S. 90 % of the company's business are export sales. Bryan Ashley, Suniva Chief Marketing Officer commented: "Having the backing of Ex-Im Bank is of tremendous value in selling even more U.S.-made products in the global marketplace. There are many situations where Ex-Im Bank availability can make the difference between whether we are short-listed or not. We now have five potential deals in the pipeline where Ex-Im Bank availability is critical to winning the sale. We're currently expanding our facilities in Georgia, and will be hiring additional employees to support that expansion."
