California-based SoloPower will construct a new 300MW solar panel manufacturing facility in Wilsonville, Oregon.
This construction, which will create 170 new jobs, is in line with the company’s expansion plans with a total investment of approximately $340m.
The initial phase of this expansion plan will consist of the building up of of a 75MW manufacturing line.
This production facility will enhance SoloPower’s ability to provide flexible, lightweight solar modules to its growing list of global customers.
The Small Scale Energy Loan Program (SELP) Advisory Committee has recommended approval to the Oregon Department of Energy for a $20m loan to SoloPower, which has also applied for a Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) of $20m from the State of Oregon.
These state programs will help 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 talks with the US Department of Energy to secure a loan guarantee under Section 1703 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for supporting the construction of the additional production lines.