The US is about to nearly triple its production of solar cells, thanks to nanotechnology and California-based Nanosolar.

The company is currently looking for sites in the San Francisco bay area to build the world's largest factory for making solar power cells, which will ultimately produce enough cells to power 325,000 homes. Nanosolar CEO Martin Roscheisen says the facility will open by the end of this year.

Nanosolar produces thin-film solar cells that can be seamlessly integrated into building facades. The cells will also power large-scale stand-alone power plants.
The announcement has both investors and environmentalists seeing green. Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page have invested heavily in Nanosolar. And Carl Pope, national executive director of the Sierra Club, had this to say:

"Cleaning up the environment can be an economic opportunity. We are going to need these kind of breakthroughs. It is wonderful that Silicon Valley is taking the lead and that it is happening here.''

"This is a spectacular announcement,'' added Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association, in Washington DC. "This is a very important step for us to address the energy crisis we face in this country. We cannot drill our way out or mine our way out, but we can manufacture our way out.'' (photo Nanosolar)