MANUFACTURING NEW ENERGY

Can Clean Energy Revive Manufacturing?
Kate Galbraith, May 4, 2009 (NY Times)

"The manufacturing sector in the United States continues to shrink — but could the renewable-energy rush spur a manufacturing revival?

"A number of solar-panel factories are coming online in the United States…Makers of wind turbines are also establishing factories in the heartland, where the factories’ proximity to wind farms on the Plains slashes the cost of shipping the giant machines from Europe…"

Inisde a solar cell plant. It has to be very clean because solar panels must be flaw-free to carry electrons efficiently. (click to enlarge)

"…[M]any renewable-equipment manufacturers want to set up operations in the United States because they perceive it to be the largest market for the technologies in the years ahead. (Tax credits in the stimulus package for domestic production of renewable-energy equipment also help.) A key factor in bringing SolarWorld to Oregon…was the work force — and especially Oregonians’ [commitment to New Energy]… Proximity to a cluster of semiconductor factories, some of whose workers SolarWorld has recently poached, was another attraction.

"Among states, the competition to lure renewable-energy manufacturers is fierce. Money can make a difference. Oregon gave SolarWorld $40 million in business tax credits, though it was less than the company had asked for…"

Inisde a blade plant. It has to be very big because, well, because...(click to enlarge)

"… [Oregon Governor Ted] Kulongoski — who noted that the availability of land zoned for industrial use was also important — has also succeeded in luring Sanyo, which is due to open a solar factory in Salem this fall. But he admitted that his overtures do not always succeed. He courted Schott, a solar manufacturer, but it went to New Mexico instead and will inaugurate an Albuquerque plant later this month.

"Other states are hoping to edge in on the competition. Texas is currently considering incentives in the state legislature that would boost the state’s use of solar power, and that could help lure plants. SunPower, a panel maker, is looking at Texas, among other states, for a plant. (SunPower’s manufacturing of panels and cells is concentrated in the Philippines and China, though the company makes smaller solar components in this country.)…"