Hanlong Group, one of the top 20 largest private companies in Sichuan Province in China, announced that it will invest US$100 million in the research and development of solar energy solutions, system assembly and International Headquarter activities in Singapore through its wholly-owned subsidiary Sichuan Zhonghan Solar Power Co. Ltd. Hanlong Group is the leader in concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) in China and is investing RMB7.6 billion to set up the world's largest CPV plant in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.

The Group has chosen Singapore as its International Headquarters to manage its global solar business outside China. This includes the assembly and sale of its CPV systems as well as the management of its solar farm projects targeted for regions such as Australia, Middle East and South-East Asia. The company will also set up a R&D centre in CPV which will collaborate with the Solar Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS).

Said Mr Liu Han, Hanlong Group's Chairman, "We chose to set up Zhonghan Solar's first regional headquarters outside China here in Singapore because of its sterling reputation as a global hub for clean energy, in particular solar energy.  In addition, Singapore's vibrant economy and its status as an Asian financial hub helped in our decision to invest here.  The Group hopes to use Singapore as a spring board to international markets, as we seek to promote our solar energy solutions to the rest of Australia, Middle East and Southeast Asia."