May 18, 2011
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Solar Power comes to North Portland
L ast w eek on M ay 13th,
Portland M ayor Sam Adams
and P o rtlan d D ev elo p m en t
C o m m is s io n C h a ir S c o tt
Andrews announced a plan for
developm ent o f a solar panel
m anufacturing headquarter in
North Portland that could bring
over 480 new jo b s to the Port­
land area.
“I congratulate SoloPow er
on their decision to site their
new m anufacturing headquar­
ters and production facility in
North Portland," said R epre­
sentative Tina Kotek. “I w el­
come them to the neighbor­
hood.”
San Jose-based SoloPower
produces high powered and low
cost solar cell devices, which
offer a viable alternative to the
electricity produced using tradi­
tional fossil fuels. SoloPower’s
thin-film panels weigh far less
than traditional glass covered
solar panels, and can be installed
directly on a roof.
"SoloPower's announcement
is great new s for O regon's
economy and clean energy fu­
tu r e ,” C o n g re ssm a n E arl
Blumenauer said. “I am proud
that the new facility will be manu­
facturing clean energy technol­
ogy right here in Portland and
look forward building a strong
federal partnership to the com­
pany and its employees."
Clean Technology is one of
the targeted clusters in Portland’s
2009 Economic Development
S tra te g y , e x p la in e d M ayor
Adams, who is excited about the
new green job opportunities that
could come with this new devel­
opment.
T he p la n n e d S o lo P o w e r
manufacturing facility represents
a $340 million investment at full
build-out, and the company ex­
pects to hire more than 150 work­
ers in the next twelve months,
and at full build-out. An esti­
mated 913 construction, indirect,
and induced jobs are also ex­
pected to be created by the de­
velopment of this manufacturing
facility.
‘‘The positions created by
SoloPower at the North Port­
land facility will be permanent
jobs requiring skilled labor, and
offering high wages and ben­
efits,” said Representative Tina
Kotek. “This is what we mean
when we talk about job creation
and economic growth.”
In addition to well-paying jobs,
the City and SoloPower are fi­
nalizing a Community Benefits
A g re e m e n t th a t in c lu d e s
workforce training, Enterprise
Zone Community Contributions
and other benefits.
The company also plans to
w ork w ith P o rtla n d -b a se d
Worksystems, Inc. to train local
re sid e n ts to w ork in the
SoloPower facility.
After SoloPower and the City
of Portland signed a non-binding
memorandum of understanding
last week, Portland City Council
will vote on the City of Portland
deal package Wednesday, May
18th.
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