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SCHOTT Solar has officially opened its combined CSP and PV module manufacturing plant in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 200,000 square-foot facility represents an initial investment of over US$100 million with future plans to expand the facility to 800,000 square feet at a cost of approximately US$500 million, employing 1,500 people.

“Today is an extremely proud day for SCHOTT,” said Dr. Udo Ungeheuer, Chairman of SCHOTT’s Board of Management. “With the inauguration of this facility, SCHOTT Solar is further demonstrating the company’s position as a global player in solar technology and our ongoing commitment to developing the North American market through strategic investment.”

“This facility is proof that smart policy can create jobs and spur investment,” said New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. “SCHOTT Solar has recognized the vast potential that exists for solar energy in the United States and especially New Mexico. They have taken a leadership position to manufacture technologies that can capture this limitless energy source.”

The Albuquerque facility will have an initial first phase PV module capacity of up to 85MW. It is also said to be the first facility in the U.S. to produce receivers used in parabolic trough, utility-scale, concentrated solar power plants (CSP). Initially, the two production lines will produce enough receivers to meet the demands of up to 400 MW CSP power plants per year.

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