The Bosch Group has begun the expansion of its solar production at a groundbreaking ceremony in Arnstadt, Germany, attended by Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, setting up a new manufacturing facility for crystalline solar cells and modules production, with a start of production scheduled for the beginning of 2010, creating roughly 1,100 new jobs in the energy technology industry.

“Energy technology is at the centre of our long-term strategy,” said Dr. Siegfried Dais, deputy chairman of the Bosch board of management. “In the long run, energy demand and energy prices will increase considerably, and the conservation of resources and climate protection will become ever more urgent tasks for society. The utilization of renewable energy, and especially solar energy, will therefore take on increasing significance,” Dais said.

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