Solar energy industry growth slower than some had expected

In October, Flabeg Solar U.S. Corp., a subsidiary of German glass finishing firm Flabeg GmbH, opened a manufacturing facility in Findlay's Clinton Commerce Park that was expected to create up to 200 jobs building solar mirrors.

The company hoped to supply mirrors for up to 10 projects using sunlight to generate electricity in California, Arizona and Nevada.

But since then, the projects, all on public lands, "have been delayed due to the approval process," said president Jochen Meyer.

As a result, the plant now employs about 50 workers and is just preparing its first, according to an Aug. 4 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report.