Spire appoints Mark Case, VP of Photovoltaic Factory Management, to lead Spire initiative to “Come to America” programme

Slightly out of step with the global financial goals of non protectionist activities, Spire Corporation has announced that it has initiated its “Come to America” program to assist foreign manufacturers of PV modules to establish manufacturing operations in the United States (U.S.). The U.S. is projected to be the most rapid growing PV market in the world, doubling each year over the next few years with projections of over five gigawatts (GW) through 2011 (Barclays Capital Solar Energy February 2009). The fact that to take full advantage of the newly signed economic stimulus bill, foreign manufacturers would need to produce their modules in the U.S is what has inspired the company to make the offer.



Spire has been a major supplier of turnkey factories worldwide and has participated in all aspects of the U.S. market, including establishment of manufacturing lines, producing systems, and has conducted U.S. Department of Energy funded research and development programs and has advised the U.S. Congress on solar policy directions for more than 30 years. This experience coupled with ongoing involvement in all sectors of PV in the U.S. makes Spire ideally suited for “bringing companies to America”.



Assembling modules from solar cells in distributed module assembly lines is a cost effective approach to market entry. Shipping costs are reduced and solar cells usually represent the intellectual property part of the module. Manufacturing modules near the market also stimulates local market growth, results in local tax incentives and incentives for job creation. Spire offers turnkey lines for both module and cell production. Spire also provides factory siting, factory management, module certification, cell and other material supply and guidance through the General Services Administration and other U.S. requirements.



Leading this initiative is Mark R. Case who has recently been added to Spire's senior staff as Vice President of Photovoltaic Factory Management. Mr. Case joined Spire from Flextronics where he was Vice President of the Energy Division within Flextronics' FLEXIndustrial business segment. His work concentrated on the PV industries.



Mr. Case's responsibilities at Spire will focus on the “Come to America” program for international suppliers. He will provide factory management services and coordinate after factory support including cell and wafer supply, equipment service and equipment upgrades. Additional responsibilities include deal structures and management contracts.



Roger Little, CEO and Chairman of Spire Corporation, said, “We have waited a long time for the U.S. PV market to develop. Now that it's ready to take off we're excited about where we are today and what we can offer new entrants. It has taken us 30 years to have put ourselves in the position of being able to provide the breadth of support that we now have from plant siting to plant management to module manufacturing and qualification to navigation through U.S. laws and requirements.”