The SolarWorld Group is one of the largest solar energy businesses in the world. SolarWorld’s family of companies are dedicated exclusively to the business of solar energy, combining all stages of the solar photovoltaic (PV) value chain, from the raw material silicon to turn-key solar power plants. SolarWorld operates production facilities in the USA and in Germany as well as sales offices around the world.
In 2006, SolarWorld AG acquired the manufacturing assets of Shell Solar, the largest manufacturer of solar electrical products in America since 1977, which had previously operated as Arco Solar and Siemens Solar. SolarWorld Industries America currently employs several hundreds of people in Camarillo, CA, Hillsboro, OR and Vancouver, WA and continues to hire many more as we expand production.
In 2007, SolarWorld AG acquired the Komatsu silicon wafer production facility in Hillsboro, OR (near Portland) for $40 million and is currently investing over $400 million to renovate the 480,000 square foot facility into a world-class manufacturing plant that will convert raw silicon into up to 500 MW worth of PV wafers and cells every year. The new Hillsboro facility will come on line in fall 2008 and it will employ up to 1,000 people by the end of the ramp up phase in 2009. The Hillsboro factory will provide enough PV cells to serve the entire North and South American market, including the expanded module production in Camarillo, as well as exports to Europe and Asia.
The SolarWorld group offers a broad and diverse range of products from PV modules for grid-coupled and grid-independent power generation to complete solar power kits and systems. SolarWorld’s Sunmodules have been shown to produce more energy per rated kW than other major brands, providing more value to the system owner. SolarWorld’s Sunkits customized PV system kits help small businesses, like electrical contractors, to offer reliable, cost-effective solar PV systems to residential and small commercial customers. By providing training and design services as well as components, the Sunkits program provides more opportunities for small businesses to get into the solar industry.
