Another nail in American coffin: Solar Panel Maker Moves Work to China

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Solar Panel Maker Moves Work to China
By KEITH BRADSHER

BEIJING — Aided by at least $43 million in assistance from the government of Massachusetts and an innovative solar energy technology, Evergreen Solar emerged in the last three years as the third-largest maker of solar panels in the United States.

But now the company is closing its main American factory, laying off the 800 workers by the end of March and shifting production to a joint venture with a Chinese company in central China. Evergreen cited the much higher government support available in China.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/15/business/energy-environment/15solar.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=print

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America is using a knife in a gun fight with China.

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Craziness in Europe, too

BRUSSELS — Last month, while bailing out Ireland and scrambling to prepare a possible rescue of Portugal, the European Union quietly extended a generous loan to a country with relatively few debt problems: China.

The €500 million, or $668 million, loan by the European Investment Bank is part of a package of two loans worth €1 billion that is aimed at helping China use more renewable sources and increase energy efficiency.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/17/business/energy-environment/17green.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=print
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No mention of the interest rate.
EIB can't get a better return elsewhere?
China is short of cash?
Will the loan diminish China's rolling out a dirty coal-fired electricity plant per week?