DEARBORN, MI—Ford Motor Co. and DTE Energy Co. plan to build a large solar array at the automaker’s headquarters here.

EVANSTON, IL—Solar panels made in China have a higher overall carbon footprint and are likely to use substantially more energy during manufacturing than those made in Europe, says a new study from Northwestern University and Argonne National Laboratory.

SAN ANTONIO—KACO New Energy has opened a new assembly plant here to make inverters for solar power. The facility is expected to employ 72 people.

SHELBY, NC—Schletter Inc. plans to build a $27 million plant here that will produce solar mounting systems.

GOEPPINGEN, Germany—PV-Kraftwerker has developed a mobile robot that automatically assembles outdoor photovoltaic installations.

To help curb costs, solar panel manufacturers are increasingly employing robotics as much as possible.