Spanish solar jobs to shine in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (CGE) - Two-thirds of Buckeye days are generally overcast, but notwithstanding this chronically gloomy condition, it appears lots of Spanish sun will shine on northwest Ohio, where a photovoltaic manufacturing facility is expected to generate hundreds of jobs in the short term and maybe a thousand or more over time.

 

 

Isofoton, a leading solar energy technology company, chose the small town of Napoleon as the new home for its North American manufacturing facility, according to news Wednesday from the Ohio Department of Development, which is making it possible with $15.8 million in taxpayer assistance that triggers a pledged of $16.4 million from the company.

 

Ohio, under former Gov. Ted Strickland, made solar energy an industry cluster sector the state has embraced, although not as much as others states have. James A. Leftwich, a former development official from Dayton who Gov. John Kasich appointed to run the development department after his chosen appointee, Mark Kvamme, ran into constitutional residency problems, said the statewide collaboration demonstrates Ohio’s focus on the strengths of the region and its targeted industries. In prepared remarks, Leftwich said, “Making Ohio the base for Isofoton’s first U.S. footprint, strengthens our state’s manufacturing supply chain, and creates jobs statewide.” 

 

The Isofoton-Napoleon factory will initially consist of a 50 MW crystalline silicon PV module assembly line with fully automated REIS technology, a report from ODOD said, adding that Isofoton expects a short-term ramp-up to a 100 MW assembly line, with plans then to add a 100 MW cell line. The factory will start off creating 121 clean energy manufacturing jobs and ramp up to 330 direct jobs within three operational years. Indirect job creation, a vital part of the Isofoton’s “all-Ohio” economic development strategy should amount to 1,000 additional jobs beginning in 2012.

 

Jon Bisher, City Manager of Napoleon [population of 8,798], said Isofoton’s decision to locate its manufacturing facility and its associated jobs in Napoleon represents a significant achievement for the community and is the end result of a strong collaborative effort between state and local business partners.” “We use our community-owned assets to attract and retain businesses that support the economic vitality for the city, he said, noting that as the new home of a solar panel manufacturing facility, "Napoleon is once again demonstrating its leadership in terms of clean, renewable energy generation as a component of a balanced energy generation portfolio.”

 

Lots of partners made the deal possible. American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) has agreed to purchase up to 200 MW of “made in Ohio” solar panels over five years from Isofoton's Napoleon factory, which also has been selected by the Turning Point Solar project and American Electric Power (AEP) to supply Napoleon, Ohio-produced photovoltaic panels for 49.9 MW of solar energy to be erected on reclaimed mine lands in rural Appalachia, ODOD noted. Isofoton is also working closely with the Toledo Port Authority on “made in Ohio” PV panels for solar energy projects.

 

“One of the goals of solar development was to create jobs in local communities, and this project represents one of the initial steps in achieving that goal,” said Marc Gerken, President and CEO of AMP, Inc., in a media release.

 

Isofoton is among Spain’s largest solar PV manufacturers, with projects in more than 65 countries. Ranked among the leading European enterprises in the development, manufacturing and sale of solar cells and modules, Isofoton’s global reach extends to branch offices and projects around the world, employing more than 700 professionals.

 

“Isofoton has always come to the table with an understanding of what manufacturing means to Ohio,” said Joseph Hamrock, President of AEP Ohio. “The state's long-standing heritage of developing manufacturing facilities and associated jobs shows companies like Isofoton that Ohio is the place where emerging technologies can thrive. At AEP Ohio, we are proud to play an instrumental role in bringing new jobs to Ohio, while advancing renewable energy technologies in the Midwest.”

 

“Isofoton's selection of Northwest Ohio to locate its solar panel manufacturing operation is just one example of what is possible when our region unifies its collective resources,” Paul Toth, President and CEO, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, said. “The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority plans to leverage this commitment by utilizing Isofoton products in our proposed utility scale solar installation projects, and our BetterBuildings Northwest Ohio program, which improves buildings across our region by financing energy efficiency and alternative energy technology improvements to residential, industrial and commercial buildings.”

 

 

Manufacturing commitments are one thing, but establishing a supply chain makes the deal even more valuable. ODOD said that Isofoton has worked with many Ohio partners to produce an “all-Ohio” supply chain. After extensive research, Ohio was determined the best choice because it is a top five electricity generator and consumer, a top 10 in population, top five in strength of state solar carve-out, as well as home to several top-5 utilities and has a strong solar energy cluster, ODOD noted proudly.

 

“The University of Toledo welcomes Isofoton and its commitment to Northwest Ohio, and reciprocates the commitment to developing leading edge renewable energy research and expertise,” said Lloyd Jacobs, President of the University of Toledo. “We are pleased that Isofoton looks forward to working closely with regional economic development partners and with the University’s multiple research and worker training fronts.”

 

“We are very impressed by the strong reception, leadership, and well-grounded thinking we have experienced in Ohio,” said Angel Luis Serrano, CEO of Isofoton. “Our intention is to advance to all corners of the North American marketplace from our Ohio base, including advanced research and development. The key solar value proposition is that the installed price is the long-term price. There will never be fuel price increases.”

 

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