SoloPower Announces New Solar Panel Manufacturing Facility in Oregon
SoloPower, Inc. announced that it will locate a high volume manufacturing facility in Wilsonville, Oregon. The initial phase of this expansion will be the construction of a 75 MW manufacturing line which will create 170 new jobs. Upon completion, the facility is expected to have nameplate capacity of 300MW, employ approximately 500 people, and have a total investment of approximately $340 Million. This state-of-the-art production facility will greatly enhance SoloPower’s ability to provide powerful, flexible, lightweight solar modules to its growing list of global customers.
Today the Small Scale Energy Loan Program (SELP) Advisory Committee recommended approval to the Oregon Department of Energy for a $20 million loan to SoloPower. SoloPower has also applied for a Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) of $20 million from the State of Oregon. These State programs will enable the company’s efforts to rapidly scale up production, while providing an economic boost to the community, creating jobs, and supporting local businesses. Simultaneously, SoloPower is in discussions with the United States Department of Energy to obtain a loan guarantee under Section 1703 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to support the construction of the additional production lines.
"Over the past year, SoloPower has considered several alternative sites. Oregon is an exceptional location for our long-term growth," stated SoloPower CEO Tim Harris. "SoloPower greatly appreciates the partnerships it has formed with the State of Oregon, the Oregon Department of Energy, Clackamas County and the City of Wilsonville. Oregon’s business friendly environment, excellent support programs, and highly skilled work force made locating our new manufacturing facility in Oregon an easy decision."
