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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Spanish Firm Isofoton to Build New Photovoltaic Manufacturing Facility in Columbus, OH, and Create 300 Jobs

07/08/2011
Solar energy technology company Isofoton has announced it will build its North American manufacturing facility in Napoleon, OH.

Isofoton is one of Spain's largest solar PV manufacturers, with operations in over 65 nations and a workforce of 700-some employees. It is recognized as one of Europe's leading companies in the development, manufacturing and sale of solar cells and modules.

In its initial phase the factory will create 121 "clean energy" manufacturing jobs, and operate with a 50 MW crystalline silicon PV module assembly line featuring fully automated REIS technology. Eventually it will ramp-up to a 100 MW assembly line (and possibly add a 100 MW cell line), as well as increase to 330 jobs within three years. In addition, up to 1,000 additional in-direct jobs are expected to be created in the near term.

"We are very impressed by the strong reception, leadership, and well-grounded thinking we have experienced in Ohio," said Isofoton CEO Angel Luis Serrano. He added that the company intends to advance to all corners of the North American marketplace from its base in Ohio.

Contingent upon state approvals, the Ohio Department of Development will offer the company $15.8 million to leverage its pledged $16.4 million investment in Ohio.

Isofoton officials cited numerous reasons why Ohio was chosen for the project, including its top rankings among other states for population, its strong solar energy cluster, and the fact it's home to many "Top 5" utilities.

American Municipal Power, Inc. has agreed to buy up to 200 MW solar panels from Isofoton's Napoleon factory in the next five years. Isofoton also is talking with the Toledo Port Authority on the possibility of supplying "made in Ohio" PV panels for its solar energy projects.

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