Oregon seems to be a viable spot for solar companies to settle in. Is it because Oregon is so much more cheaper than say California? Peak Sun, a silicon photovoltaic manufacturing company, will choose Millersburg with an $18 million dollar investment.
The project will start out with hiring 50 workers, but will eventually expand to 500 workers and an additional $700 million in investment by 2011 (phase 2). According to Ted Kulongoski, Oregon is on track to be North America's largest photovoltaic producing state by 2009.
News like this is extremely good for the Oregon state economy. It puts Oregon at an especially high rank among other states for having so much renewable energy investments including it's 7 tidal wave energy projects.
Peak Sun Silicon produces granular, electronic-grade polysilicon for photovoltaic system manufacturers. Photovoltaic silicon cells are used to make solar energy panels.
Phase one of the projected is expected to be operational in the fall of 2008.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Oregon Chosen for Peak Sun Solar Facility
at 9:34 AM
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2 comments:
This really isn't something to be proud of. The efficiency for photovoltaic cells are pretty terrible compared to the alternatives. It's good for showing off your 'eco bling' but not much else.
The efficiency of a solar thermal plant would be much higher, use less energy to create it, and make that energy back sooner.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_thermal
lol...I am sorry I just thought your comment was hilarious because you are so right. It is all about eco-bling, but solar panels DO eventually pay for themselves,
right now the current cost of photovoltaics is about $3 per watt. Right now a company called NanoSolar is situated in San Jose, CA and will be the largest solar power plant in North America, they will produce thin film solar power for $.30 a watt. The whole green tech industry is just beginning to emerge, it will be interesting to see it all pan out.
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