Solar Manufacturing Plant Opens in Arizona

The key to the economic recovery will be jobs, and a new manufacturing plant will bring 350 new jobs to the valley.

Power One celebrated its grand opening.

Governor Jan Brewer and Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon were on hand at the 122,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, located near I-10 and University Drive.

The company will employ mechanical and electrical engineers to help design high-efficiency solar power inverters.

"We chose Phoenix for a number of reasons, obviously its a great community for us to join, a good workforce, great technical workforce, a great partnership with ASU. Also it's a corridor, as Governor Brewer's helped establish over the few years, for solar so a number of our customers are here as well as our partners," said Richard Thompson, President and CEO.

Power One started operating in October. Right now it employs 40 workers but many more will be hired in the near future.

SOURCE: http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/business/solar-manufacturing-facility-power-one-1-31-2011