Greek Firm to Open Solar Facility in Philadelphia Navy Yard Adding More than 400 Jobs in Region
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and Select Greater Philadelphia worked with Greek solar panel firm, HelioSphera, to assure them that this region was the ideal location to open its $500 million solar manufacturing plant. The company – one of the world’s leading thin-filmed solar panel producers – will break ground this year and open its facility at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in 2011, adding 400 jobs in the region.
“We welcome HelioSphera to the region,” said Rob Wonderling, president & CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the CEO Council for Growth. “Their decision to open a manufacturing plant here strengthens Greater Philadelphia’s capacity for alternative energy development. This locate was a great team effort and an important achievement for Philadelphia, the Commonwealth and the region.”
HelioSphera chose to locate at the Navel Business Center in Philadelphia after considering 35 sites in eight states. The company’s decision to move to Philadelphia came down to the region’s access to major academic institutions, a world class airport with strong service to Europe, a high quality workforce, an important incentive by the Commonwealth, and the City’s decision to extend Keystone Opportunity Zone benefits until 2025.
“The process worked as it should,” said Tom Morr, President and CEO of Select Greater Philadelphia. “The Commonwealth, City and Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation worked well together to make the case for Philadelphia as a premier business destination and Select Greater Philadelphia was proud to play a role in this process.”
Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation provided the land for $1; Pennsylvania provided the company with a $49 million funding offer coordinated through the Governor’s Action Team; and Select Greater Philadelphia organized tours, meetings and provided detailed workforce, supplier, cost and transportation information all to assist in HelioSphera’s decision to locate in the region.
“This is an important step in job creation for the Greater Philadelphia economy particularly in these tough economic times, said Hugh C. Long, II, Chairman of Select Greater Philadelphia and Wachovia’s Regional President for Pennsylvania and Delaware. “It’s also an important step in bolstering the region’s emerging clean-energy industry.”
HelioSphera was founded in Greece in 2007 with major shareholders headquartered in the United States of America. The company has four operation centers in Europe with a headquarters and factory in Greece (Athens and Tripolis, respectively) and a sales office in Madrid (Spain) and Lyon (France).
The main activity of HelioSphera is the production of thin film photovoltaic panels, with an annual capacity of 60 megawatts. This high technology investment enjoys significant R&D potential in cooperation with key Greek and European universities and technology institutions. Micromorph modules by HelioSphera are manufactured according to the highest quality standards and deliver an outstanding performance even with low light conditions, partial shading or higher temperatures. That means: above average energy yields and an increased return on investment.
Source: The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce (December 1, 2009)
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