Friday, January 14, 2011

SoloPower Announces Factory In Oregon, Creating 170 Jobs

Silicon valley-based thin film solar cell manufacturer SoloPower said Thursday that it is opening up a new, solar panel manufacturing facility in Oregon. According to SoloPower, it will locate a high volume manufacturing facility in Wilsonville, Oregon, resulting in the creation of 170 new jobs in the city. SoloPower said its plant will initially have a capacity of 75MW, with ability to grow up to 300MW and employing 500 people. SoloPower explained that it expects to invest approximately $340M into the new plant. As part of the announcement, SoloPower said it the Small Scale Energy Loan Program (SELP) Advisory Committee has recommended approval to the Oregon Department of Energy for a $20M loan, and that it has applied for a $20M, Business Energy Tax Credit from the State of Oregon.