As a 30-year resident of Andover and the CEO of Stellaris Corporation, a solar photovoltaic module manufacturer in Billerica, I would like to express my appreciation for the sincere effort state Rep. Barry Finegold has made, and continues to make, to encourage high tech, renewable energy companies to stay and to thrive in this part of Massachusetts.

Only Silicon Valley surpasses Massachusetts in solar and other renewable energy enterprises. Massachusetts offers a cornucopia of people wealth, including skilled engineers, scientists and technicians. It has strong academic institutions and industry support resources. All this, combined with the high-quality lifestyle Massachusetts affords, should make the state a prime candidate for high quality, high paying jobs that should increase with the coming exponential growth in the solar and renewable energy industries worldwide.

Recently however, Massachusetts has been losing solar energy jobs rather than gaining them. Schott Solar left Billerica for New Mexico and Evergreen Solar in Devens is moving much of their production to China. While the reasons for the exodus of these companies are diverse and complex, it should be a wake-up call to the state to ensure that it encourages companies to locate here, grow here and remain here. There is no reason solar companies with the right technology cannot thrive in Massachusetts and compete internationally.