SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 13 (UPI) -- Solaicx announced Tuesday it has selected Portland, Ore., for a new silicon manufacturing facility.
Solaicx is a leading manufacturer of mono-crystalline silicon ingots and wafers optimized for photovoltaic applications.
The signing of a lease for the 136,000-square-foot facility, located in the Portland Rivergate Industrial District, represents a major milestone for the company and follows a successful financing round led by the D.E. Shaw Group.
"I am pleased that Solaicx will be locating its new facility in Oregon, creating good paying jobs and adding to our first-rate high-tech cluster," said Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski. "Solaicx's announcement confirms that Oregon, with our commitment to sustainability, skilled workforce and prime location, is on track to become the national leader in renewable energy."
The plant, which will have an initial run-rate of 48 megawatts, will create roughly 100 new jobs by the end of 2007. In 2008 Solaicx plans to expand the plant's capacity from its initial 12 silicon ingot growers to a total of 36 growers. At full capacity, the facility will produce 142 megawatts of solar ingots and wafers per year.
Kulongoski established growth in the clean-energy sector as a top priority for Oregon. In the fall of 2005 a Renewable Energy Action Plan was issued by Kulongoski's office, which led to the subsequent development of a statewide Solar Energy Working Group to develop and carry out a strategic plan for advancing solar energy in Oregon.
A formal plant opening and ribbon-cutting event will take place later this year.
