Senator spotlights SolarWorld as California renewable-energy past — and future
Camarillo, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2010) – California State Senator Tony Strickland returned to the California roots of the U.S. solar industry to cite the SolarWorld group as a state manufacturing mainstay that he envisions leading a state resurgence in green-technology jobs and energy self-reliance.
Speaking after a visit to SolarWorld’s 30-year-old solar power technology plant in Camarillo this month, the Republican from Simi Valley highlighted his co-authored bill (SBX8 22) to stimulate employment at green-technology companies by exempting their equipment products from sales tax.
“I believe the renewable energy industry can play a major role in returning California to economic prosperity,” the senator said. “I look forward to providing businesses like SolarWorld with the tools they need to create jobs and grow our economy.”
SolarWorld is the largest and most experienced U.S. manufacturer of solar technology. Its Camarillo site, which the company has fully modernized and automated in recent years, has manufactured solar modules since 1979. SolarWorld also manufactures in Hillsboro, Ore., and Vancouver, Wash.
After Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger advanced the concept of a sales tax exemption, Senator Strickland jointly authored SBX8 22 with Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat from the San Fernando Valley. Renewable energy and job creation are central themes of Senator Strickland’s vision for returning California to prosperity. He represents California Senate District 19, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Venture and Santa Barbara counties.
About the SolarWorld group
The SolarWorld group (ISIN: DE0005108401) is a worldwide leader in offering brand-name, high-quality, crystalline solar-power technology. Its strength is its fully integrated solar production. From silicon as the raw material through wafers, cells and modules all the way to turn-key solar systems, including recycling, the group combines all stages of the solar value chain. The central business activity is selling quality modules into the installation and distribution trades and crystalline wafers to the international solar cell industry. Group headquarters are located in Bonn, Germany. Production sites are to be found in Germany, the United States and South Korea. The group’s largest production facilities operate in Freiberg, Germany and Hillsboro in the U.S. state of Oregon. Sustainability is the basis of the group strategy. Under the name Solar2World, the group supports care projects using off-grid solar-power solutions in emerging economies and developing countries, exemplifying sustainable economic development. Worldwide, SolarWorld employs more than 2,700 people. SolarWorld AG has been quoted on the stock exchange since 1999 and today is listed on, among others, the TecDAX, ÖkoDAX, Dow Jones STOXX 600 as well as in the sustainability indices DAXglobal Alternative Energy and NAI.
www.solarworld-usa.com
Media Contact:
Ben Santarris
Public affairs manager
SolarWorld
25300 N.W. Evergreen Road
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Mobile: 503 927 9858
Office: 503 693 5189
ben.santarris(at)solarworld-usa.com