Area Development
Solar cell manufacturer Suniva will invest $250 million to locate a manufacturing facility in Thomas Township, Michigan, according to the Michigan governor's office. The Georgia-headquartered company plans to create 500 new jobs over the next five years at the factory, which will manufacture polycrystalline photovoltaic solar cells. "For the United States to reach its potential as a leader in renewable energy, it must support not only new innovative technologies, but also must revitalize its manufacturing base to aid these technologies in achieving swift scale," says John Baumstark, Suniva's CEO. "All states have a powerful role to play in bringing new jobs and new technologies to market, and we applaud Michigan's efforts." The state has approved a special tax credit, created for photovoltaic companies in the state, of 415 million over five years; the Saginaw News reports that additional approved incentives for the company include $45 million in property taxes, $8.6 million in other tax credits, and a $10 million grant for site construction. The company plans to begin construction sometime next year.