Solar

The first parabolic trough production plant in the US by Schott Solar launched

The North American subsidiary plans to expand its plant to 800,000 square feet, for an additional investment of $400 million. Photo courtesy of Schott Solar.

One year after announcing its plans, the North American subsidiary of German company, Schott AG, has inaugurated the first manufacturing plant in the US for producing receivers used in parabolic troughs, and the first solar manufacturing facility to open since the passing of the Obama economic stimulus.

Schott Solar yesterday [May 11] ceremonially launched its 200,000-square-foot facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico which it said represents an initial investment of $100 million. Schott Solar broke ground on the Albuquerque site in May, 2008.

The solar plant will initially make receiver troughs for concentrating solar power (CSP) systems for up to 400-megawatt (MW) capacity annually. It will also be capable of producing 85 MW of photovoltaic panels for its Schott Solar Poly product.

Schott Solar said its new plant is capable of producing next-generation CSP receivers, of which it has produced prototypes that offer new dimensions and can accommodate alternative heat transfer fluids. It said the improvements aim to reduce the cost of utility-scale CSP plants.

The company said it is anticipating the need to increase production of its solar power technologies as the market for renewable energy in the US grows under the current administration.

By 2016, the US solar industry is expected to support more than 440,000 permanent, full-time jobs, including many in the manufacturing and construction industries, according to Navigant Consulting.

The North American subsidiary plans to expand its plant to 800,000 square feet, for an additional investment of $400 million.

Schott Solar’s parent company, Schott AG, is 125-year-old technology-based company whose market includes household appliances, pharmaceutical industries, electronics, optics and automotive.


-  Eric Dorente

Source:

¹ http://www.us.schott.com/english/news/index.html?NID=292