Applied Materials bets on solar power

[jpak]

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/technology/06/14/14applied.html

Applied Materials Inc. is betting big that generating electricity from solar power is going to be a huge industry one day.

So the world's largest maker of chip-making equipment is making a visible commitment to the effort by building the largest solar array in Austin with a plan to mount solar power panels on poles along U.S. 290 East at its Northeast Austin manufacturing site. The project will be completed later this year.

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As Applied CEO Mike Splinter sees it, solar power is going to become a gigantic global industry, and his company is going to help make that happen.

"Solar energy is ready to take off," Splinter testified last week before Congress. "Some of the world's top business leaders have called clean tech and solar the greatest opportunity ever.

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[Old and In the Way]

1. Democrats ought to be making this the centerpiece of our agenda

Alternative/Renewable energy that reduces/eliminates our dependency on ME oil is a win/win/win - we aren't shedding blood and treasure in the ME, we're creating jobs at home, and we are cleaning up the environment/reducing global warming.

It's good for America...that's why the Big Oil Party (aka the Republican Syndicate) is against it. It really is the most important issue for us to promote and support in 2008.