New solar plant in Portland to bring 450 jobs in three years

Portland, OR, United States (4E) – A new solar power company, 70 percent of which is funded by taxpayers both locally and nationally, has started operation in North Portland last Thursday and is expected to bring about 450 jobs to the city in the next three years.

SoloPower, which manufactures low-cost, super thin and flexible solar panels, is to target commercial buildings as its customers instead of homes and neighborhoods.

During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Mayor Sam Adams alleviate the fears that people may have about the investment of public funds after companies like Solyndra and Abound failed, saying that SoloPower will be a good investment for taxpayers.

Adam stated that he wants Portland’s role in clean energy to be what Houston’s is to oil.

SoloPower is one of the last remaining solar companies in the Department of Energy’s loan program receiving around $197 million in federal assistance.

Once completed, the plant plans to produce 400 megawatts of solar panels yearly while the 450 jobs are predicted to have an average salary of $51,000 a year.

The solar company can only begin to receive funds from the loan after the operation of its first production line which is forecasted to happen later this year or early next year.

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