Jan. 20, 2010 (China Knowledge) - Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd<STP>, the world's largest crystalline silicon photovoltaic module manufacturer, on Monday started the expansion work on a plant in Suzhou Wuzhong Economic Development Zone, Jiangsu Province, sources reported.

The solar cell manufacturer plans to invest a total of US$100 million to expand the plant by 100,000 sq m.

The project is expected to start mass production in August 2011, said Suntech CEO Shi Zhengrong, adding that the production capacity of the project will increase by 300% to 2000 MW in three years.

The expansion of the Suzhou factory indicates that Suntech is actively exploring the Chinese market. 

Shi said that the Chinese government's subsidy program to buildings powered by solar energy will greatly stimulate the PV industry in the country.

Suntech reported a net profit of US$29.8 million for the third quarter of last year, 30% less than the US$42.6 million earned in the same period of 2008.