U.S. solar startup aims to match First Solar's cost

Solar thin-film start-up MiaSole, [Santa Clara, Calif.,]is aiming to be a viable competitor to industry leader First Solar, [Tempe, Ariz..,]by lowering manufacturing costs of its panels as it ramps up production and opens a new U.S. plant.

MiaSole's current manufacturing costs are over $1 per watt, said Chief Executive Joseph Laia Jr.

First Solar, one of the world's largest solar module makers, has the lowest production costs in the industry for its thin film cadmium telluride panels. The company broke $1 per watt in 2008 and reached 85 cents per watt in 2009, according to a Feb. 10 Reuters report.

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