GE to Build Nation's Largest Solar Factory, Invest More Than $600 Million in Technology

摘要

General Electric announced April 7 that it intends to build the largest solar panel factory in the United States and invest more than $600 million in the technology. The new plant, the location of which will be announced soon, will employ 400 people and produce enough solar panels to power 80,000 homes per year, the company said. In addition, GE said it recently purchased Colorado-based PrimeStar Solar Inc., whose thin-film solar panel has been reported as the most efficient ever measured by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the principal research laboratory for the Energy Department. The solar panels will be manufactured at the new factory, the company said. "Our plan to open a U.S. solar manufacturing facility further demonstrates our confidence in this technology and is just the first phase in a global, multi-gigawatt roadmap," Victor Abate, vice president of GE's renewable energy business, said in a statement. Abate said the company is addressing "the biggest barrier for the mainstream adoption of solar technology-cost-and the NREL certification proves that we are on track to deliver the most affordable solutions for our customers."