SpectraWatt workers kept busy Friday, the day the solar company celebrated its official opening

EAST FISHKILL – SpectraWatt, a solar panel manufacturer at the Hudson Valley Research Park in East Fishkill, officially opened Friday to accolades from state and local officials.

Congressman John Hall said the company will be part of a new branding for the Hudson Valley.

“Together with this facility and the Solar Energy Consortium in Kingston, we have the potential of turning the Hudson Valley into the equivalent of Silicon Valley, California only it would be Solar Valley,” he said.

Dutchess County Executive William Steinhaus said the continued growth of business in the county is multi-faceted, and that is important.

“The diversification model is the most important success formula and having something like SpectraWatt helps that diversification,” he said.

New York State Senator Stephen Saland said solar power is where it’s at. “Solar energy is truly one of the great hopes of the future.”

NYSERDA President Fred Murray said we are in the midst of a “clean, green revolution.”