HILLSBORO, Ore., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- SolarWorld, a world leader in high quality solar power technology, today announced it will mark the opening of what will be North America's largest solar cell manufacturing facility with a Grand Opening Ceremony and News Conference in Hillsboro, Oregon on Friday, October 17, 2008.
What: SolarWorld Grand Opening News Conference, Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
and Facility Tour
Who: Governor Ted Kulongoski, SolarWorld CEO Frank H. Asbeck and
SolarWorld COO Boris Klebensberger will share their expectations
for both the facility and the region's role in creating a green
economy in the United States.
When: News Conference Begins at 10 a.m. PT, after which the Governor and
SolarWorld executives will participate in a ribbon-cutting
ceremony and host the media for a facility tour.
Where: 25300 Evergreen Road, Hillsboro, Oregon
Solar power is increasingly considered the most promising energy alternative because of advances in technology and high-production manufacturing. Facilities like the one SolarWorld is pioneering will reduce the costs of solar power, accelerating commercial and residential installations of solar panels.
According to Clean Edge's Solar Utility Assessment Study released earlier this year, solar power is beginning to reach cost parity with conventional energy sources. As solar prices decline and the capital and fuel costs for coal, natural gas, and nuclear plants rise, Clean Edge analysts predict that solar power cost parity with retail electricity rates in most of the U.S. by no later than 2015. Other reports predict the crossover point could come even sooner. SolarWorld's 500-megawatt facility in Oregon will make a large contribution to this future.
SolarWorld acquired the Hillsboro factory, which belonged to Japan's Komatsu Group, in March 2007 for $40 million and is investing more than $400 million in the new facility. SolarWorld has production facilities in Germany and the United States, including in California, Oregon and Washington, and is establishing a joint venture for module production in South Korea. The company delivers its products to market from sales offices in Germany, Singapore, South Africa, Spain and the United States.
For more information about the event or about SolarWorld, and to RSVP for the news conference, please contact Jennifer Cloer at jennifer@pageonepr.com or 503-746-7577 (desk) or 503-867-2304 (mobile).
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