Heliene boosts U.S. solar supply chain with expansion of Minnesota facility
The Mountain Iron facility will become the second-largest solar module manufacturing plant in the U.S.
The $21 million expansion of the Mountain Iron, Minnesota facility will begin this month, with production slated to commence in June 2022. The company’s goal is to meet the growing demand for solar modules and help secure the U.S. solar supply chain.
“The State of Minnesota is proud to collaborate with Heliene and the City of Mountain Iron to expand Minnesota’s largest solar panel manufacturer to bring jobs to the region. This is a good day for the Iron Range, and a good day for Minnesota’s clean energy economy,” said Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Heliene’s Mountain Iron campus will grow to 95,000 sq. ft. and will feature advanced automation technologies. Production will focus on M6, M10 and M12 size super high efficiency monocrystalline PERC cells.
The company said the expansion will create 60 new, high-paying clean energy jobs. The Mountain Iron facility will become the second-largest solar module manufacturing plant in the U.S.
“Amid consistently strong solar demand and trade volatility, our customers seek peace of mind that they are receiving the highest quality, competitively priced solar modules exactly when and where they need them,” Heliene CEO Martin Pochtaruk said. “The investment in this ultra-efficient new manufacturing line will significantly increase the rate of American Made module delivery while eliminating costly supply chain risks for customers.”
Last month, Heliene launched a new facility in Riviera Beach, Florida, its third in North America.
Heliene is taking over the facility previously occupied by SolarTech Universal, which closed over a year ago, to produce its 66-cell HJT 370W module.
WATCH: Heliene CEO Martin Pochtaruk joined Renewable Energy World Content Director John Engel to discuss the new facility, global solar supply chain pressures, and the growth opportunity with heterojunction solar cell modules.
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Source: Renewable Energy