When it comes to its massive new factory in Mesa, First Solar Inc. tends to get a bit ahead of itself.
First Solar, based in Tempe, broke ground on the 1.3 million-square-foot facility even before it had finalized all the agreements necessary to authorize the project.
On Friday, it dedicated the first of what could be four solar-panel fabricating plants near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport even though not even half the steel has been erected yet.
Simultaneously, First Solar announced that 42-year-old Todd Spangler, who has moved from the company's nearly identical factory in Perrysburg, Ohio, will be Mesa's plant manager.
Rob Gillette, First Solar's president, said the Mesa facility fits hand-in-glove with trends that will make the United States the company's leading market by next year.
First Solar, based in Tempe, broke ground on the 1.3 million-square-foot facility even before it had finalized all the agreements necessary to authorize the project.
On Friday, it dedicated the first of what could be four solar-panel fabricating plants near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport even though not even half the steel has been erected yet.
Simultaneously, First Solar announced that 42-year-old Todd Spangler, who has moved from the company's nearly identical factory in Perrysburg, Ohio, will be Mesa's plant manager.
Rob Gillette, First Solar's president, said the Mesa facility fits hand-in-glove with trends that will make the United States the company's leading market by next year.
