German solar-module maker moves into S. Side plant
By Shelley Shelton
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Did you know
Solon AG already owns an interest in a local solar-panel manufacturer. In 2006, Solon and a European investor acquired Tucson-based Global Solar Energy Inc., a maker of thin-film photovoltaics, from UniSource Energy Corp., parent of Tucson Electric Power Co. Solon acquired 19 percent of the company. An unidentified venture capitalist acquired the rest.
|
Solon America Corp., a subsidiary of solar module manufacturer Solon AG, based in Berlin, has leased a 101,266 square-foot building at 6950 S. Country Club Road.
The company had planned to begin producing solar modules for North America by the early part of this year, but that time frame has been delayed, said a company spokesman.
"Our presence here in Tucson has been all about finding this facility so we could begin production," Solon spokesman Jon Sams said.
Finding a facility with enough space was a challenge, he said.
"This building offered the right fee structure and everything that we were looking for," he said.
Olaf Koester, president and CEO of Solon America, said the company has been producing photovoltaic components at its initial local site at 2700 E. Executive Drive, near Tucson International Airport.
The company is installing and calibrating equipment at the new building and plans to start initial production there within the month, Koester said.
Solon plans to move its entire operation to the new site this summer, he added.
The company has said the plant will produce high-efficiency photovoltaic modules, which turn sunlight directly into electricity, and will provide integrated solar design and installation services to large-scale commercial, municipal and utility customers nationwide.
The company employs about 45 people and has said it expects to add another 100 this year.
Did you know
Solon AG already owns an interest in a local solar-panel manufacturer. In 2006, Solon and a European investor acquired Tucson-based Global Solar Energy Inc., a maker of thin-film photovoltaics, from UniSource Energy Corp., parent of Tucson Electric Power Co. Solon acquired 19 percent of the company. An unidentified venture capitalist acquired the rest.
● Contact reporter Shelley Shelton at 434-4086 or at sshelton@azstarnet.com.
All content copyright © 1999-2009 AzStarNet, Arizona Daily Star and its wire services and suppliers and
may not be republished without permission. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution, or retransmission of any of the contents of this
service without the expressed written consent of Arizona Daily Star or AzStarNet is prohibited.
