Representatives of these companies said that the conditions of the loans are such that they have to first build demonstration production lines, meet certain requirements, and only then tap the federal funds for additional construction.

WSJ: California Solar Deal Hits a Snag

First Solar has suspended plans to build more factories and closed production lines.

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Today, production lines that can build such trucks are one by one going cold as military spending dries up.

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Ethiopia's comparative advantage in wages, productivity, and natural resources has led the Huajian Group, a Chinese shoe maker, to build a factory in Ethiopia in three months, with two production lines starting in January 2012, exporting 20, 000 pairs of shoes a month and creating some 550 jobs.

CNN: Opinion: Could Africa be world's next manufacturing hub?