News Article
Amonix To Increase CPV Solar Manufacturing Facility in North Las Vegas
The new facility will be financed by $6 Million tax credit from the Recovery Act and another $12 Million in Private Capital and create 278 Green Jobs
Amonix, a supplier of concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar power systems based on III-V technology has announced that it has signed a lease for a new 214,000 square foot manufacturing facility. Based on North Pecos Road, North Las Vegas, Nevada, the move will bring 278 green private sector clean energy jobs to Southern Nevada.
The company intends to hire local residents to fill the management, technical, and productions jobs. The facility which will manufacture III-V multijunction solar cells will be up and running by the end of 2010.
“Amonix, welcome to your new home,” said Mayor Shari L. Buck of the City of North Las Vegas. “I’d like to thank all of our leaders in Congress who made the Recovery Act a reality. This plant, made possible through public-private cooperation, will make a real difference to our community and families.”
In May, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid presided over a ceremony to “flip the switch” on an Amonix CPV solar plant at the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s (SNWA) River Mountains Water Treatment Facility. In his remarks, Senator Reid applauded Amonix for taking advantage of a tax credit in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to “put nearly 300 Nevadans to work.”
Senator Reid said, “Amonix offers the perfect example of how the Recovery Act is helping Nevada businesses and the clean energy industry expand and thrive. Nearly 300 Nevadans will find work in this developing industry that is diversifying our state’s economy so that we don’t fall victim to another economic downturn. I am pleased that Amonix has signed a lease and will be putting Nevadans to work this year.”
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley added, “The future of renewable energy manufacturing is happening right here, right now in North Las Vegas. The Amonix commitment to Nevada will help propel ongoing efforts to make the Silver State a world leader in solar production while also creating local jobs and promoting economic growth.”
Amonix solar power systems have been installed at three locations in Nevada, including at the SNWA River Mountains Water Treatment Facility, on the campus of UNLV and at Nevada Energy’s Clark Generation Station. The company will use its new North Las Vegas facility to manufacture solar power systems for additional installations in Nevada and for export to neighboring states. In addition, the new manufacturing facility will be powered by an Amonix 7700 System as part of its electrical power source.
Brian Robertson, CEO of Amonix concluded, “We thank Mayor Buck, as well Senate Majority Leader Reid and Congresswoman Berkley, who have helped make this day a reality. Amonix chose this site because our CPV solar systems are ideal for sunny and dry climates like Nevada. This plant puts additional capacity in close proximity to where many of our systems will be installed.”
When at full capacity, the manufacturing plant will operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week, turning out solar equipment with a production capacity of 150MWs annually, the equivalent, according to Robertson, of NV Energy’s stake in the recently cancelled coal plant at the Mohave Generating Station.
