Government Buys Spire Photovoltaic Module Production Facility

(MoneyWatch)  The U.S. Federal Prison company, Unicor, purchased from Spire a complete photovoltaic module factory for about $54 million. BusinessWire carries the press release stating that the facility will be installed at the Federal Prison in Otisville, NY. Inmates will produce the modules for sale to other Federal government entities. The goal is two fold: first, train inmates in the production process for future employment once they are released, and second produce the modules for sale and profit. Unicor, whose website is here, has been in existence for over seventy years and provides a variety of products for use by the Federal government. The prison industry receives favorable consideration during the contracting process as part of Federal regulation.