Schott Solar to build plant in New Mexico

Schott Solar, a subsidiary of Mainz, Germany, glassmaker Schott, announced plans to build a $100 million manufacturing facility in the Mesa del Sol region of Albuquerque, N.M.

The company said the 200,000 square foot production site will manufacture receivers for concentrated solar thermal power plants and 64 megawatts of photovoltaic modules.

"According to both industry analysts and our projections, the market for solar energy will double over the next five years," said Udo Ungeheuer, chairman of Schott's board of management.

Set to open in 2009, the company is has long-term plans to expand the facility to 800,000 square feet, and boost the number of workers to 1,500, up from an initial 350.

Schott Solar said the expansion would represent a total investment of $500 million.

In 2007, Schott's total photovoltaic production capacity worldwide was 130 MW.

For 2010, the company plans on a global yearly production capacity of crystalline solar cells and modules of about 450 MW each and additional capacity of 100 MW in ASI thin film technology.

When the Albuquerque facility goes online, Schott's worldwide production capacity for receivers for concentrated solar will reach more than 600 MW per year.