Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Solar Panel Maker Moves Work to China

Aided by at least $43 million in assistance from the government of Massachusetts and an innovative solar energy technology, Evergreen Solar emerged in the last three years as the third-largest maker of solar panels in the United States. But now the company is closing its main American factory, laying off the 800 workers by the end of March and shifting production to a joint venture with a Chinese company in central China. Evergreen cited the much higher government support available in China. The factory closing in Devens, Mass., which Evergreen announced earlier this week, has set off political recriminations and finger-pointing in Massachusetts. And it comes just as President Hu Jintao of China is scheduled for a state visit next week to Washington, where the agenda is likely to include tensions between the United States and China over trade and energy policy...more
"Evergreen cited the much higher government support available in China."
These solar folks can't make it without gov't support, so you have "entrepreneurs" chasing subsidies instead of profits. 

I guess there weren't enough lookout towers in Wilderness areas to keep them here.

Too bad the old Soviet Union isn't still around where they could be so "successful". Stalin Solar Systems so to speak.

No comments: