Sydney Olympic Park. Silex Solar opens plant

The Minister for State and Regional Development, Ian Macdonald, officially opened Silex Solar’s solar panel manufacturing facility, at Sydney Olympic Park, in the former premises of BP Solar. Mr Macdonald said Silex Solar would use the facility for the commercial-scale manufacture of high performance solar cells and modules. In addition to the manufacturing capabilities, facility was home to R&D and testing facilities, engineering workshops, a purpose-built warehouse to cater for raw and finished goods, and sales and administration offices. Mr Macdonald said the company was the only significant Australian-owned manufacturer of solar cells and panels, and it expected to double its workforce to around 100 people by the end of 2010.