Solar Thin Films, Inc. is to establish a 36MW, amorphous silicon thin film module production plant in Ulster County, New York, U.S. Solar Thin Films will employ module manufacturing equipment from its Hungarian based subsidiary Kraft Electronikai Srt. The company said it would utilize the new facility to also develop its copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) panels.
Solar Thin Films said that the investment would be in the region of $60 million and would apply for $10 million industrial development bond with the assistance of the Ulster County Development Corporation to be used for some of its capital equipment requirements.
“TSEC [The Solar Energy Consortium] is to be complimented in making Solar Thin Films aware of the enormous potential available in Ulster County as the company pursues its goal to be a leading provider of amorphous silicon solar modules,” commented Robert Rubin, Solar Thin Films’ Chairman. “TSEC and the Ulster County Development Corporation have assisted Solar Thin Films in finding an appropriate factory site, have assisted us in satisfying our financial needs and have been instrumental in forging potential power partnerships with local utilities. These steps will be instrumental in protecting the environment, reducing our need and utilization of oil and significantly alter the rate of the energy cost spiral. We hope to be a major employer in the county and more importantly a very good neighbor.”