Spire to Expand Module Manufacturing in Federal Prisons
Spire Corp. has entered an agreement with Unicor, Federal Prison Industries Inc. to expand its 25 MW solar module manufacturing capacity by an additional 50 MW line in Sheridan, Ore., creating almost 500 jobs within the federal prison system.
Aaron Hand, Executive Editor -- PV Society, 10/14/2009
Solar equipment supplier Spire Corp. (Bedford, Mass.) has entered an agreement with Unicor, Federal Prison Industries Inc. to expand its 25 MW module manufacturing capacity by an additional 50 MW line in Sheridan, Ore.
Government-owned Unicor operates industries, including solar PV factories, in federal correctional institutions throughout the United States. At a time when many people are looking to learn the skills of a green trade, Spire's module manufacturing enables inmates to gain substantial green-collar knowledge that will be useful upon their release. The latest capacity expansion will provide nearly 500 jobs within the prison system.
"We look forward to working with Spire as we expand our operation," said Julie Rozier, Unicor's public information officer. "Spire's module manufacturing lines provide a renewable energy source for our customers, and offer constructive, technical training and job skills experience for inmates."
Spire currently supplies Unicor with solar cells for its turnkey PV module factory in Otisville, N.Y., and the two companies also recently agreed to team up for Federal Solar Systems to bring PV systems to the U.S. federal government.
