Germany's Solon establishes U.S. operations in Tucson

Solon AG, one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of solar energy systems for commercial and government facilities, today announced a new U.S. subsidiary in Tucson, Arizona.

Manufacturing operations are scheduled to begin in late 2007.

“We are tremendously pleased to be in this historic city, long known for its efforts to make solar power commercially feasible,” said Olaf Koester, President and CEO of Solon America. “We plan to advance the use of solar power through our innovative technologies as a secure, reliable, clean and affordable energy choice,” he said.

The company is finalizing agreements to acquire a 100,000+ square foot facility in Tucson, where it will produce high efficiency solar modules and provide design and installation services to large-scale commercial, municipal and utility customers throughout the United States, it said.

Production during the next few months is to focus on preliminary operations as the plant ramps up toward full production in early 2008.

The Solon Group also has subsidiaries in Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland.

Based in Berlin, Solon is a leading provider of photovoltaic systems for large-scale solar power projects. The company has built what is currently the largest dual-axis tracking solar power station in the world.

Located on the Erlasee estate in Bavaria, the 12-megawatt station is generating enough environmentally friendly power to supply some 3,500 households.

In March, Solon announced the acquisition of Tucson-based thin film maker Global Solar Energy from UniSource Energy for $16 million.

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