Tuesday, November 20, 2007

California Solar Firm Opens Oregon Plant

Solaicx, a manufacturer of monocrystalline silicon ingots and wafers optimized for photovoltaic applications, announced Tuesday that it has officially opened its new production facility in Portland, Ore. Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who attended Tuesday morning's ceremonial ribbon cutting to inaugurate the plant, called the facility a milestone for the Beaver State's mission of attracting "green collar" jobs. Solaicx said the new solar plant will initially employ some 100 people and will generate a manufacturing run-rate of more than 32 megawatts per year. At full capacity, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company noted, the facility will employ more than 180 workers and produce approximately 180 megawatts of silicon ingots and wafers per year.