In places where sunshine is bright and electric rates are stiff, solar cells could soon hold their own against fossil-powered generators.

FORBES: Pelosinomics

The company has also won two power plant projects in Australia and Hughes predicted the company would capture 30% of that market, which despite abundant sunshine has been slow to embrace large-scale solar.

FORBES: First Solar Shares Spike As It Pursues Big Solar Without Subsidies Strategy

With more than 300 days of sunshine every year, Arizona and the neighboring states straddle some of the best areas in the world for solar power.

FORBES: The Woman Behind the Olbermann Tempest