GRESHAM TO BE HOME OF OREGON'S FIRST THIN FILM SOLAR MANUFACTURING PLANT
Posted: July 20th, 2010 3:49 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2010-07/1046/36905/Damoder_Reddy_President_and_CEO_of_Solexant.jpg (Damoder Reddy President and CEO of Solexant)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2010-07/1046/36905/Mayor_Shane_Bemis_at_press_conference.jpg (Mayor Shane Bemis at press confernce)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2010-07/1046/36905/Solexant_Pilot_Line_3.jpg (Solexant Pilot Line 3)
GRESHAM, Ore – Mayor Shane T. Bemis announced today that Solexant, a company that specializes in ultra thin film solar cells, will locate the largest nanotechnology manufacturing facility in the world in Gresham. The plant will be Oregon's first thin film solar manufacturing plant. The announcement was made alongside Solexant's President and Chief Executive Officer Damoder Reddy and Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski.
"Solextant's decision to come to Gresham proves that our city is well positioned and competitive, even in this challenging economy," said Mayor Shane Bemis. "By building a close relationship with the company throughout the process, we have been able to show them the advantages of bringing major investment and jobs to Gresham."
Solexant's first phase will produce solar panels which can generate 100 MW of energy per year. This plant valued at over $37 million and will employ approximately 170 people. The company plans future expansions that may ultimately see an estimated 1,000 employees at the Gresham plant.
"Solexant greatly appreciates its partnerships with the State of Oregon, the Oregon Department of Energy and the City of Gresham to facilitate the construction of the world's largest nanotechnology manufacturing facility in this beautiful state," said Damoder Reddy, CEO of Solexant. "As Oregon's first thin film solar manufacturing plant, the Gresham facility will prove the commercial application of our nanocrystal ultrathin-film solar cell technology in a very capital-efficient way and solidify Solexant's place as a leader in the solar industry."
Factors that contributed to Solexant's selection of Gresham as its location include the innovative incentive package the City and the State were able to offer. The project is also being funded by a Business Energy Tax Credit and significant private equity. A portion of the incentive package was approved by a vote of the Gresham City Council following the announcement at their regularly scheduled Council Meeting.
"We are pleased to welcome Solexant to Oregon, North America's leading solar manufacturing center," said Governor Kulongoski. "This investment will mean jobs immediately for Oregonians with the promise of more in the future. In addition, this company brings a new technological facet to Oregon's already booming solar manufacturing base and will help us continue to be a global leader in solar manufacturing."
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