Suntech will manufacture solar products in the US
By Susan Wilson
Suntech, the largest crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturer in the world, will be branching out its manufacturing abilities. The Chinese company will be building new facilities in the U.S. to take advantage of the growing solar energy market.
Suntech Power manufactures a variety of products for the solar energy market. The company produces solar grade silicon, ingots and wafers, and solar cells and modules. Currently, many U.S. companies buy imported Suntech products. Products that will one day be available in the U.S.
Several cities are being investigated by Suntech as potential cites for its American factory. The company will be announcing the final choice within the next six months. The choice will depend on a number of different factors including tax incentives, and cost-effective location.
A variety of factors led Suntech to the decision to build a factory in the U.S. “The dramatic growth in utility demand for large-scale wholesale solar projects, the increasing number of states with incentive programs for customer-owned systems and the federal government’s recent stimulus package,” were mentioned by Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech’s Chairman and CEO. He sees all of these factors as driving “steady, long-term growth in [solar]demand.”
The companies decision to build manufacturing facilities in the U.S. will help the economy of whatever city is chosen. The facility will add jobs, reduce unemployment and increase access to renewable energy components. How many jobs will be created isn’t known but at this point whatever the number, the jobs will be appreciated.
Many of the products produced here in America will probably be used in large scale solar projects that are planned for various utility companies across the U.S. Utility companies like Duke Energy have plans to build large solar farms that will provide renewable energy to thousands of customers. Duke also has plans to place smaller installations on residences and businesses which could also use the solar cells and modules that Suntech makes in abundance.
Suntech’s coming to America will provide jobs and hopefully improve the prospects for wider adoption of solar energy.
Related:
Entry was posted
on Monday, May 11th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
under
Read more entries by Susan Wilson.
Stumble It!
