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Gov. Brown Welcomes New Solar Company To Belmont

BELMONT (KCBS) --- The collapse of Solyndra, which went under despite a half-billion dollar federal loan, isn't deterring California politicians from embracing solar power companies.

A new player joined the Golden State's solar market Monday, with Governor Jerry Brown on hand.

SunEdison is moving its corporate headquarters from Maryland to Belmont, a stone's throw from Oracle's headquarters in neighboring Redwood Shores. Governor Brown helped the company dedicate its new building, welcoming a large, well-capitalized solar panel and installation company to the market.

"We're going to invest in solar and make California not only the national leader, which it already is," he said. "We're going to make it the world leader."

KCBS' Doug Sovern Reports:

The governor said California's sunny climate gives the state a natural edge in the field. It started raining soon after he made that remark.

SunEdison got some government help moving here, with a bill clarifying the tax break customers get for going solar, but Governor Brown said this is not another Solyndra in the making.

"There's a certain Darwinian struggle and some make it and some don't," he said.

Officials at SunEdison say this will bring as many as 500 jobs to the Peninsula.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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