The company will build a new facility at the Commerce Park megasite in Clarksville, Tenn., which will produce a primary component used in the manufacture of solar panels and other energy equipment. The company will create 500 jobs at the site, with the potential of employing up to 900 workers within five to seven years.
If plans are fully implemented, the project would become the largest announced corporate capital investment in the history of Tennessee.
“Tennessee’s business climate, coupled with a superb site in Clarksville, a strong, productive work force and an excellent location in proximity to our supply chain and customers made this the right decision,” said Rick Doornbos, president and CEO of Hemlock. “This investment will allow us to meet growing customer demand both in the near term and in the decades ahead.”
When complete, the Clarksville facility will have the capacity to manufacture up to 10,000 metric tons of polycrystalline silicon annually but is being designed with the capability to manufacture up to 34,000 metric tons.
The plant will occupy the entire 1,215 acre Commerce Park megasite, and the company plans to acquire an additional 947 acres adjacent to the site for additional build-out and to provide buffer space.
“We live in a time when a growing reliance on sustainable forms of energy is leading to growth rates of 30 percent to 40 percent annually for the solar industry,” said Matthew Kisber, commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development. “This announcement means Tennessee will play a leading role in the growth of solar technology for many years to come.”
In addition to Clarksville, the company is expanding its operations in Hemlock, which is where the company is based.
This is the third major expansion announced at the Michigan site during the past five years. In total, Hemlock has committed to invest as much as $2.5 billion at the site during this time frame. The latest expansion will add up to 13,000 metric tons of capacity to the site, while creating up to 300 permanent jobs.
The Michigan expansion is expected to begin supplying polysilicon in 2011.
“Hemlock, Michigan, has been our home since our inception more than 40 years ago. It reflects the commitment of our talented employees and the support of the region that we’re able to make another large investment at the site,” Doornbos said.
Ultimately, the Michigan and Tennessee facilities will give the company the capacity to produce 45,000 metric tons of polycrystalline silicon annually, exceeding the combined production capacity of all other manufacturers around the world. The combined investment of the two sites will be about $3 billion.
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