SCHOTT Solar to Build Production Facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.us.schott.com/english/news/archive.html?NID=211

SCHOTT North America, Inc.
01-14-2008

SCHOTT Solar to Build Production Facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Facility will initially produce photovoltaic modules and receivers for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Plants
• Opening in 2009, facility will initially bring 350 cleantech jobs to region
• Plans call for investment to grow to $500 million and workforce to expand to 1,500

January 14, 2008 (Santa Fe, NM) – SCHOTT AG of Mainz, Germany (SCHOTT) and Governor Bill Richardson (D – NM) today announced that SCHOTT Solar, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of SCHOTT AG, will construct a new solar energy technology production facility in the Mesa del Sol region of Albuquerque, NM.

Initially, the production site will manufacture receivers for concentrated solar thermal power plants (CSP) and 64MW of photovoltaic (PV) modules. SCHOTT will construct a 200,000 square-foot facility, which is expected to begin production in 2009 and immediately create 350 jobs. The investment in New Mexico by SCHOTT Solar will be on the order of $100 million.

Anticipating the need to increase production of its solar power technologies as the market for renewable energy in the US grows, the new site is designed to support expansion of both its photovoltaic module and solar receiver lines. Long term plans call for the building to expand to 800,000 square feet with 1,500 employees, representing a total investment of $500 million.

“According to both industry analysts and our projections, the market for solar energy will double over the next five years,” said Dr. Udo Ungeheuer, Chairman of SCHOTT’s Board of Management. “With this new plant, SCHOTT Solar, the State of New Mexico, the City of Albuquerque, and Bernalillo County are taking a lead in answering the growing demand for renewable energy in the United States.

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[Warpy]

1. This is great news for this part of the country

that has an oversupply of both sun and out of work people.

I'm waiting for the technology to mature a bit, then my flat roof will be covered with solar panels and my meter will run backwards (I'm an energy miser).

[diane in sf]

2. Bill Richardson has been doing really great things for the NM economy.