Michigan to Become a Solar Industry Powerhouse

**Ice Bank** · Mice Elf Joined: 11 May 2013 Posts: 1664 Location: USA

Unlike California or Arizona, Michigan may not come to mind currently when we think of the solar industry. However, the Great Lakes State is home to 225 solar companies that employ more than 4,000 people. In 2016 alone, the number of solar jobs in the state doubled.

One of Michigan's successful solar companies is k-Space Associates, a leading manufacturer of thin-film analysis tools for the photovoltaic industry worldwide. The company was founded in 1992 and their tools are used in research and production monitoring around the globe. The company has especially strong sales in the Asian market and was named the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2011 Small Business Exporter of the Year.
Their tools utilize optical imaging and signal analysis to provide real-time data acquisition, processing, and analysis during thin-film deposition. Patented technology ensures precise monitoring, resulting in lower costs in the thin-film production environment.

According to CNBC, Michigan has seen the most economic improvement of any U.S. state in last the 11-years. Renewable energy and innovative small companies like k-Space played a big role in the comeback story of this industrial state.