Area Development
Rioglass Solar, a subsidiary of the Spanish company Rioglass Solar Holdings, is building a $50 million solar reflector manufacturing plant in Surprise, Arizona, creating approximately 109 jobs.

The first phase, expected to be operational by 2011, will encompass a 130,000-square-foot headquarters. The second phase will add another 130,000 square feet of production space, an additional $45 million investment, and approximately 100 new jobs.

The city of Surprise has agreed to waive $290,000 of review and public infrastructure costs. It will also invest $865,000 in rail and electricity upgrades for the facility. The company will also have access to the AZ TechCelerator, a local business incubator. The federal government has kicked in $10.6 million in tax credits.

Rioglass produces glass sheets for thermo-electric power stations. The product will be used at Abengoa's Solana Generating Station, slated for Gila Bend, Arizona. Last month, the U.S. Deparmtent of Energy extended a $1.45 billion loan to Abengoa to build that station.