Mexico attracts solar-cell giant Q-Cells ($3.5 billion facility)

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SAN JOSE, Calif. -- After being set up four years ago, Mexico's Silicon Border Science Park has found its first tenant: solar-cell giant Q-Cells AG. In total, Q-Cells plans to invest up to $3.5 billion in the park.
Silicon Border is located in Mexicali, the capital city of Baja California, Mexico. It is a 10,000-acre industrial park that supports manufacturing and research facilities. Until now, there were no tenants in the park despite a major announcement in 2004.

Q-Cells, the world's largest solar-cell maker, said its manufacturing complex in Mexico will be comprised of separate facilities, with construction of the first phase beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008. The overall size of the site will be 60 hectares (150 acres).

Facility and plant investments are expected to reach up to $3.5 billion in the long term. The expansion plans are contingent upon the development of the photovoltaics markets.

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