Gestamp Renewables announced today that it is building a factory in Surprise, Arizona to support the development of large-scale solar energy projects in the U.S.
The facility, to be newly constructed on 27 acres of land in the Skyway Business Park, will house a steel fabrication factory as well as the U.S. headquarters for Gestamp Solar Steel.
In its first phase, the facility will encompass 75,000 sq. ft. and is expected to employ 50 people. Gestamp is considering a phased expansion of the facility over time with additional manufacturing capacity.
The Arizona factory will be designed to produce steel structures for projects that use concentrating solar power (CSP) technology and also photovoltaic (PV) solar structures. Gestamp said one initial customer is BrightSource Energy Inc., which is currently developing the 392-megawatt Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System concentrating solar power (CSP) project in California’s Mojave Desert. Gestamp Solar Steel’s factory
"Our strategic investment in Arizona represents an important milestone for Gestamp Renewables and follows our belief that the southwestern U.S. will be the epicenter of large-scale solar energy development in North America for years to come,” said Jon Riberas, President & CEO of Gestamp Renewables.
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council suggests that solar energy in the U.S. is growing at a faster pace than that of the international market. The Solar Energy Industries Association notes that solar demand in the U.S. is expected to grow 75 percent in 2011, compared with 2010. About 1.5 GW to 2.0 GW of capacity–1.36GW in California alone–is scheduled to be installed next year.
Gestamp Solar Steel is a division of Gestamp Renewables and part of Corporación Gestamp, a multinational company involved in steel components, automotive and renewable energy.
Last week Gestamp Renewables and Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE:WOR) announced their intention to form a 50-50 joint venture to produce towers for wind turbines in Wyoming.
Loading...