Solar company continues building plant

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - Schott Solar is moving ahead with its new manufacturing plant in Albuquerque.

The plant's director of operations, Zane Rakes, says the company's plans haven't been affected by the poor economy.

And he says it's avoided the credit crunch that has left many companies with expansion plans in a bind.

He says the project is totally funded by Schott and doesn't rely on other sources of funding.

Schott is building what will be its largest manufacturing plant in the United States on a parcel of desert south of Albuquerque.

The 250,000-square-foot plant is expected to be finished in the spring.

It will be the company's North American production hub for photovoltaic panels and receivers for solar thermal power plants.