San Jose (CA) solar cell plant could open by spring (proposed 400 MW per year)

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/16217435.htm

Nanosolar will open one of the world's largest solar cell manufacturing facilities in South San Jose by spring, placing the city at the forefront of an emerging technology.

Wooed by the mayors of San Francisco, Oakland and Santa Clara -- all of whom coveted Nanosolar's potential 200 to 300 jobs -- Chief Executive Martin Roscheisen said he was attracted to San Jose by its educated workforce, the city's experience in working with high-tech companies as well as its ability to streamline the permit process.

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The selection of San Jose, according to Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association in Washington, D.C., establishes Silicon Valley as the ``cradle for clean technology development in the United States,'' along with two other solar companies, Miasolé of Santa Clara and SunPower of San Jose.

``If they manufacture all 400 megawatts on site, it will be the largest solar manufacturing facility in the world,'' Resch said. ``They are establishing a new benchmark with respect to the size of the facility.''

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