China's solar panel maker Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. said it will set up its first U.S. factory in the Greater Phoenix, Arizona area. Steven Chan, Suntech's Chief Strategy Officer, said in Beijing the company will make an initial investment of US$10 million. The investment decision was made as the solar energy market grows rapidly in North America thanks to the region's pro-solar policies. The U.S. market had 356 MW of solar PV capacity installed during 2008 and is expected to grow six-fold to more than 2 gigawatts (GW) by 2012.
 
Source: CTR / U.S. Commercial Service, China