Greenville solar power plant opens month early

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2007/11/greenville_solar_power_plant_o.html

Greenville solar power plant opens month early

by Julia Bauer | The Grand Rapids Press
Thursday November 08, 2007, 8:33 PM

GREENVILLE -- In the rush to open its first Greenville solar-power plant, United Solar Ovonic did not slow down for a celebratory ribbon-cutting, a stirring salute from the marching band or a handshake from the governor.

Instead, the Auburn Hills firm quietly launched production Nov. 1, a month early, in a race to fill orders as fast as they roll in.

The company plans two local plants, each with two production lines --although the campus can accommodate up to six solar-film factories.

"We are in a very large market opportunity, with an excellent product for selling onto rooftops. We're selling out," said Mike Morelli, new president and chief executive of parent company Energy Conversion Devices Inc.

Morelli, who joined the company in September, formerly was president of Carrier commercial refrigeration, a division of United Technologies Inc.

In two months, Morelli has taken charge of the solar-film sector, locking in on the high-growth, high-profit potential side of the inventive company. The first quarter ended Sept. 30, and orders this quarter already outpace available capacity, he said.

Nearly 90 percent of the company's first-quarter sales were for solar-power flexible film, commonly termed PV, or photovoltaic, laminates.

...