China makes Big Deal over Solar

Interesting news today that a US solar energy company, First Solar, and China have arranged a deal to build a massive 2000 megawatt solar farm out in the Mongolian desert. Thats pretty darn big.

China hopes to produce 2 gigawatts of solar energy by 2011 and 10 to 20 gigawatts by 2020, up from a previous goal of 1.8 gigawatts by 2020. The Chinese government also offers several incentives that helped attract First Solar, including subsidies of 50% to 70% for solar project investors.

In addition, First Solar plans to help develop production of thin-film photovoltaic modules in China, the company said. And because China is relatively new to the solar game, Ahearn anticipates using First Solar engineers for the first phase until local workers can be trained to build and operate the plant. [latimes]

However, it looks like its merely a memorandum of first understanding… I suppose, though, that an American company working with the Communists will give the Beckoids another round of enjoyment… clearly a front organization for pure evil, these arizona solar manufacturers… just make sure the people are still there, as the desert continues to expand…