Demand for solar power hot
DuPont Co.'s announcement last month that it would spend $50 million to build a factory to make solar-panel components is a sign of boom times in the solar-energy industry. Much of the demand for solar cells is driven by government incentive programs that aim to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from fossil-fuel-powered power plants. These programs have pushed global sales of photovoltaic solar panels - which are still considered prohibitively expensive without subsidies - to $15 billion in 2005, continuing a five-year trend of 30 percent-plus annual growth, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association in Washington.

Solar energy company to build second plant in Greenville
A Michigan company that makes solar cells and solar panels for generating electric power has confirmed plans to build a second factory in this city that has been hit with manufacturing job losses. The United Solar Ovonic LLC plant announed Friday is expected to begin operation in mid-2008. When the Auburn Hills-based company announced plans in March for its first Greenville plant it said it might build up to five more plants in the city. The new plant will be part of a 95-acre complex in Greenville's new industrial park. It will have two production lines for making solar panels. The first plant is expected to open in late 2007.