Energy Conversion Devices’ (ECD) subsidiary, United Solar, revealed its plans for a 75,347 square foot manufacturing facility in Ontario, Canada. Anticipated to be operational by August, the facility will create up to 80 jobs for the production of the company’s thin-film solar laminates, which will be sold specifically in the Ontario solar market. United Solar plans to modernize the building and organize capital equipment, with total first year project capital expected of US$4 million.
Basing its manufacturing facility in LaSalle, Ontario, United Solar fulfills the domestic content requirement of the Ontario Power Authority’s FiT program. An initial annual capacity of 15MW is scheduled, with a designed rampup ability to 30MW once market demand is established.
“United Solar is proud to be expanding our base of manufacturing to Ontario and to be part of the growth of the Windsor-Essex region,” said Mark Morelli, president and chief executive officer of ECD. “We are grateful for the assistance of the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation and the government of the Province of Ontario in our decision to build out this facility. We believe in the potential for solar energy in Ontario and look forward to many years of success in this market.”
United Solar has applied for training grants form Ontario’s government, which will help with the ramp up costs of the facility and is looking forward to receiving support from the Ontario Works Program and the Apprenticeship Training Tax credit, which encourage job growth in the province.