Thin-film solar company Heliosphera plans to open a manufacturing facility in Philadelphia’s Navy Yard, according to an announcement made by Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell.
The Governor said the planned project by Heliosphera US is expected to create 400 jobs.
Pennsylvania provided the company with a $49 million funding offer, coordinated through the Governor’s Action Team, consisting of a variety of grants and loans.
No details were given as to the timeline for construction or the planned manufacturing capacity of the facility.
Heliopsphera Holding SA, an affiliate company of Heliosphera US, recently began operating its new 60 megawatt production facility in Peloponnesus, Greece. Production in that plant began in September 2009.
The Governor noted that Philadelphia is gaining a reputation as an emerging leader in solar technology and development. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Energy designated Philadelphia as a "Solar America City."
There are more than 1,300 solar projects underway in Pennsylvania today that, once completed, will bring the state’s total solar capacity to nearly 60 megawatts (MW).
Pennsylvania is also one of the fastest growing states for wind power, ranking second nationally in wind power growth in the second and third quarters of 2009. By the end of 2009, Pennsylvania will have 17 operating wind farms providing 800 megawatts of electricity; enough to power 270,000 homes.
Governor Rendell said that Pennsylvania could attract even more renewable energy projects by expanding the state’s alternative energy portfolio standards, which was first enacted in 2004 and led to the state’s rapid growth in the industry.
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