Leading world-wide solar module maker, Schott to open a new production facility in Albuquerque New Mexico:

The new facility will introduce new technologies in both Solar PV and Solar thermal.

A new technology manufactured at the new facility, called ISO Texture technology, will create higher efficiency PV modules. ISO Texture utilizes a wet chemical process that smoothes the surfaces on the silicon cells to make them more efficient. As an added benefit, the new technology actually reduces the amount of silicon needed in each module. The reduction in silicon will result in a substantially lower module cost, which should contribute to reducing the price of solar to consumers. In addition the modules are darker in color and have a more consistent look than traditional panels.

Ground breaking ceremonies for the new facility are planned for Mid March, 2008; with the facility completion expected early spring 2009. In the first phase, the 200,000 square foot facility is expected to create 300 new jobs and produce up to 64 Mega Watts of solar in the first year, phase two and three will ramp up production to as much as 100 Mega Watts of solar and employ some 1,500 people. The increase in production will shadow the 15 Megawatts turned out of the Billerica, Massachusetts facility. The company has facilities in 16 different countries, but the Albuquerque plant will be their largest US facility to date.

The facility will be in a new community called Mesa del Sol, where sustainable building and solar are welcome. The company decided to open their new facility in this area to “centralize production and because the surrounding area is a great example of ground-up sustainability,” said Schott’s representative, Jennifer Pecha. Governor Bill Richardson has also set up a number of aggressive solar incentives to support the growth of the New Mexico solar industry.

For more information about Schott Solar please visit: www.us.schott.com