Executives from SCHOTT AG, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and local dignitaries ceremonially broke ground for SCHOTT Solar Inc.'s new manufacturing facility in the Mesa del Sol region of Albuquerque, N.M. The facility will produce both photovoltaic modules and receivers for concentrated solar thermal power plants. Production is expected to begin as early as spring 2009.
Initially, the company will construct a 200,000 square-foot facility, which will employ 350 people. SCHOTT Solar will invest approximately $100 million to start production in New Mexico.
‘Today is an extremely proud day for SCHOTT,’ says Dr. Udo Ungeheuer, chairman of SCHOTT's board of management. ‘With the ground-breaking in New Mexico, SCHOTT is further demonstrating the company's position as a global leader in solar technology and our ongoing commitment to developing the North American market through strategic investment.’