Jan 23 2010
Confluence Solar, based in Missouri, will be investing $200 million in Clinton, Tennessee to set up a manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facility. Tennessee’s solar initiative received a fillip with this announcement made by Tennessee Governor.
Confluence Solar produces mono-crystal silicon ingots that increase the efficiency of solar photovoltaic, which helps to reduce the cost of solar power generation. Tennessee has witnessed a quick surge in solar capital investments and growth in solar research and development throughout the state. Both Wacker Chemie and Hemlock Semiconductor will be investing more than $2 billion for the construction of polysilicon manufacturing facilities near Cleveland, TN.
Creation of Tennessee Solar Institute and an investment of $62.5 million in research and energy production are some of the other initiatives in the state. Tennessee Valley Energy Enterprise was launched by the Department of Energy in mid-March 2009 for reusing federal sites for the purpose of energy related research.
Tennessee Governor, Phil Bredesen, said that with advances in energy storage from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and these developments have helped to make a solar footprint throughout the state. Confluence Solar will be constructing its facility in the Clinton I-75 Industrial Park on a 25-acre site and is anticipated to create about 200 to 400 jobs.
Tennessee Valley Authority, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, elected officials, local economic developers and the Clinton Utilities Board cooperated together to clinch the deal.
Source: http://www.confluencesolar.com/