California-based SolFocus has expanded its solar mirror manufacturing plant in Mesa and plans to add 50 jobs by the end of 2009. The company makes convex mirrors at the plant which are part of SolFocus's concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) system. The CPV system uses mirrors to focus concentrated sunlight on gallium arsenide-based solar cells to generate electricity. The mirrors reflect the sun's rays 500 times onto a solar cell, which enables the system to produce solar power with industry-leading panel conversion efficiency levels of 25 percent.

The Mesa facility with its new manufacturing equipment will produce about 2 million mirrors annually, which will be used in creating 30 megawatts of solar-power generation. SolFocus plans to utilize the 30 percent manufacturing investment tax credit which was made available in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

John Laub is the Chairman of the Phoenix CEO-CFO Group.

1. "Solar-friendly city: Firm's expansion ray of hope for Mesa economy. Calif.-based company plans to add 150 jobs in city by end of year." Angelique Soenarie. Arizona Business Gazette. April 30, 2009.

2. "SolFocus Opens Expanded Mesa Glassworks Factory." Company Press Release. April 27, 2009.

3. www.solfocus.com