Spark Solar Australia to build solar cell factory worth $70 million

Spark Solar Australia, a solar cell manufacturer, has announced that it
has completed its first round of funding for the development of a new,
$70 million solar cell manufacturing facility in the Canberra region.
The factory, which will produce approximately 19 million solar cells
per annum, the majority of which will be exported to Germany, will also
see the creation of close to 115 jobs for the region.

Initial cell production is expected in early 2010, while the factory itself is expected to be completed next year. While the precise location of the facility is as yet undetermined, the company is considering a number of factors such as government incentives, proximity to the ANU (Australian National University) and cost. Potential sites for the factory have been identified in Mitchell and Hume, and the company is also considering sites in Queanbyean and Wollongong.

“The market for solar cells is enormous and there are not enough cells being made globally to meet demand,” said Spark Solar’s Interim CEO Dr. Michelle McCann. “Even before the factory is built, we expect to pre-sell almost all of our output for the first five years.”