15 mars, 2007 15:54
Massive solar cell production facility to be built in Oregon
by David Gutierrez
The German company SolarWorld AG has announced plans to build North America's largest solar electric component factory in Hillsboro, Ore. By 2009, the plant is expected to be producing 500 megawatts worth of solar silicon wafers and cells.
What you need to know - Conventional View
• SolarWorld purchased the Hillsboro facility from the Japanese Komatsu Group, which had invested approximately $500 million in the plant but never brought it online for production.
• SolarWorld paid $40 million for the facility, and plans to begin production by this summer.
• The new facility will become SolarWorld's new headquarters for solar crystallization activities. The current headquarters is in Vancouver, Wash.
• The state of Oregon will be offering SolarWorld credits on its property and business taxes.
• Quote: "The new investment in Oregon constitutes an exceptional opportunity." - Frank H. Asbeck, CEO of
SolarWorld
Resources you need to know
Bottom line
• SolarWorld is opening a new solar electric production plant in Oregon this summer, with plans to be the largest such factory in North America by 2009.
