GE’s new factory will push out one solar panel every ten seconds

- Factory Will First Begin in 2012-Faster than Anticipated
- 355 Advanced Technology Jobs Created In Colorado, 100 in Big apple over the following Three to 5 Years
- More Efficient, Larger and Lighter Panels Demonstrate GE’s Solar Thin Film Innovation

AURORA, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–GE (NYSE: GE) today announced plans to construct its new solar panel factory in Aurora, Colorado. When completed, the advanced manufacturing unit will create 355 jobs in Colorado and can be larger than any existing solar panel factory inside the country today. GE anticipates the brand new factory will first commence ahead of expected with the primary panels coming off the road in 2012 with commercial availability in 2013.
“Bringing 100 new high-tech jobs to the Capital Region with none taxpayer subsidy is a true victory for our upstate economy”

GE will locate the factory in an existing building in Aurora, just east of Denver. This location, which is also in proximity to GE’s existing solar center of excellence, enables an accelerated start-up schedule with production equipment installation beginning in January 2012. At capacity, the brand new factory will produce enough panels per year to power 80,000 homes and should be larger than 11 football fields. When complete, the recent solar factory will highlight a $600 million investment in GE’s solar business.

Colorado already is home to GE Energy’s thin film solar pilot line, where joint technology advancements from GE’s Global Research Center and PrimeStar Solar was validated and tested. GE completed the purchase of PrimeStar earlier this year.

“Working with our Colorado-based solar team, we were ready to achieve record efficiencies in our solar panels in record time,” said Victor Abate, vp of GE’s Renewable Energy business. “The Colorado location will let us deliver our technology roadmap faster and commercialize industry-leading panel efficiencies sooner. We also look ahead to continuing to construct our relations with Colorado’s local, state and federal officials who’ve been extremely helpful as we moved during the site selection process.”

“Here’s great news for Colorado and extra proof that our state is emerging as a middle of innovation. GE’s move to Aurora takes good thing about Colorado’s clean energy resources and a collaborative business environment that may be committed to helping the corporate succeed,” said Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. “We glance forward to supporting GE because it fosters its technical innovation and research capabilities in Colorado.”

“That is terrific news for Aurora, for Colorado and for solar, and it shows the tremendous potential renewable energy holds to create jobs and tool our economy,” said U.S. Sen. Mark Udall. “I’m confident that this is often only the start-i glance forward to working with GE and its partners to construct its presence and create more good-paying jobs in our state. They’ve recognized what I’ve said for years: Colorado can lead the realm in creating clean energy jobs and putting people to work. These innovative new jobs will let us build the goods of the long run while using Colorado’s natural resources and talented workers. With the sun inside the San Luis Valley, the wind at the Eastern Plains and the brain power at our top-notch colleges and universities, Colorado is positioned to steer the realm within the global economic race.”

“Colorado already is a number one center for innovation and the hot energy economy with essentially the most qualified high-skilled workers within the country,” said U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet. “We welcome the increased presence of a renewable energy industry leader. GE’s new plant will advance Colorado’s profile in renewable energy, bring good-paying jobs and boost our state’s economy. Today’s announcement is a testament to the unity and commitment of Colorado’s congressional delegation, Governor Hickenlooper, his economic development team and leaders on the University of Colorado, Colorado State University and Colorado School of Mines who worked together to pave the manner for GE’s decision.”

“i’m so proud GE is building the most important solar panel factory within the nation the following within the 7th Congressional District of Colorado. This plant will create over 350 jobs and reinforces Colorado’s leading role in renewable energy. This solar technology was originally developed at NREL and additional highlights how this world-class lab continues to partner with the non-public sector to create long-term jobs and bolster our nation’s energy security. Making things here in Colorado and America ensures we will be able to make it in America,” stated U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter.
In support of its expected growth within the solar space, GE also announced plans to create 100 new positions in Big apple. “We plan so as to add 100 high-tech jobs between our Renewable Energy Global Headquarters in Schenectady and GE’s Global Research Center in Niskayuna,” Abate said. “The Cuomo administration has demonstrated a metamorphosis in business culture in Ny state. Ny is easily positioned to stay portion of GE’s solar business growth.”

“Bringing 100 new high-tech jobs to the Capital Region with none taxpayer subsidy is a true victory for our upstate economy,” said The big apple Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy. “With this announcement, we’re over again proving that Big apple state is open for business and well positioned to create new economic opportunities across our state. We glance forward to continuing to work with GE and support the expansion in their solar business here in Ny.”

Solar panels produced in GE’s new Colorado factory will also be more efficient, lighter weight and bigger than conventional thin film panels. Higher efficiency is a key component to GE’s commitment to supply advanced solar products while reducing the whole cost of electricity for utilities and consumers. Lighter panels will facilitate easier installation and enable important applications including commercial rooftop. Larger-sized panels help to lower total system cost by reducing the quantity of racking and electrical components required.

Abate added, “We’re building out our global solar business now by reason of our technology innovation and economics. We remain on the right track to deliver the most cost effective solutions for our customers as we continuously improve this technology.”

GE has dramatically grown its wind business through technology and scale since entering the distance in 2002 and anticipates the same trajectory for solar given recent technology breakthroughs. GE has greater than 27 gigawatts of wind and solar resources installed everywhere.

As well as thin film solar panels, GE offers power electronics and pre-designed utility-scale solar energy plants to be used in multi-megawatt applications. Power electronics are critical to bringing renewable energy sources, akin to wind and solar, into the mainstream, delivering economies of scale and providing stable connection to the grid. The hot acquisition of Converteam will add the company’s energy conversion technologies to GE’s solar offerings, further broadening GE’s portfolio.