Kyocera plans to quadruple its capacity to manufacture solar panels in Tijuana during the next four years. The Arizona based solar company broke ground on a new plant south of the border on Wednesday. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has details.
California passed legislation last year that puts the state on track toward building a million solar roofs by 2017.
Kyocera spokesman Jay Scovie says if California were a nation, it'd rank third in the world for solar demand. He says Germany and Japan occupy the top two spots.
For years, both countries have offered strong incentives for homeowners and companies that use solar power.
Kyocera opened a solar manufacturing plant in Tijuana in 2004 in anticipation of California's growing solar market.
Scovie says the plant expansion means the company can make enough solar panels to power about 142,000 homes annually.
The existing Tijuana plant employs 140 people. Plant employees in Tijuana typically earn about $11 a day.
Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
