By Kari Williamson

The 400 MW solar PV panel factory which will reportedly begin production of CdTe thin film solar panels in 2012, represents an investment of US$600 million, will be located in an existing building in Aurora near its existing solar centre.

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 have been validated and tested. GE completed the acquisition of PrimeStar earlier this year.

Victor Abate, Vice President of GE’s Renewable Energy business, says: “The Colorado location will allow us to deliver our technology roadmap faster and commercialise industry-leading panel efficiencies sooner. We also look forward to continuing to build our relationships with Colorado’s local, state and federal officials who have been extremely helpful as we moved through the site selection process.”

100 jobs in New York

GE also plans to create 100 new positions in New York. “We plan to add 100 high-tech jobs between our Renewable Energy Global Headquarters in Schenectady and GE’s Global Research Center in Niskayuna,” Abate says.