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Spanish firm picks Surprise location for $50m solar factory

The new factory will make glass for Abengoa concentrated solar power plants

They might need to have their immigration papers with them at all times, but Spanish solar manufacturing company Rioglass Solar has decided to set up a new $50 million factory in Arizona.

The company produces curved glass sheets used as reflectors for concentrated solar power plants.

It is planning to set up a manufacturing facility in the City of Surprise, where it is expecting to create around 100 jobs.

“We are excited to be in Surprise. Its excellent workforce and rail-served land is the perfect fit for our new U.S. operations,” said Rioglass Solar President and CEO José Maria Villanueva. “We want to be part of the future of solar energy in Arizona and in Surprise.”

CSP

Concentrated solar power (CSP) technology uses mirror or lenses to focus sunlight on either a heat transfer system or a high-efficiency photovoltaic cell.

Plans are already in place for Spanish company Abengoa Solar to develop a CSP plant near Gila Bend, about 70 miles southwest of Phoenix.

The Solana Generating Station, as the project is called, will use solar thermal systems, generating power for the state’s largest utility, APS.

APS President and Chief Operating Officer Don Robinson said yesterday: “Rioglass Solar’s decision to locate in Arizona is a positive sign for the outlook of solar energy and economic development in this state. I commend everyone who helped make Rioglass Solar’s commitment to Surprise a reality.”

“Progress”

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer said the state’s solar industry is becoming an “economic force of great significance”.

Commenting on the Rioglass announcement, Gov Brewer said: “Rioglass Solar adds to the significant progress Arizona is making to become a global leader in the renewable energy sector, and creating quality, stable jobs that will help advance and diversify our state’s economy.”