Overseas tech company to open solar module manufacturing facility in Goodyear
Dec 27, 2021, 2:08 PM
(Arizona Commerce Authority photo)
(Arizona Commerce Authority photo)
PHOENIX — A Switzerland-based technology company will establish its first U.S. solar module manufacturing facility in Goodyear.
Meyer Burger Technology AG at the new facility plans to manufacture solar modules for residential, commercial/industrial rooftop and utility-scale applications, the Arizona Commerce Authority said in a press release on Monday.
Production is expected to begin by the end of 2022 and create an initial 250 manufacturing jobs at the facility with 500 being created at full capacity.
“We are thrilled Meyer Burger has chosen Goodyear for their first manufacturing facility in the U.S.,” Gov. Doug Ducey said in the release.
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“The company’s new solar module manufacturing facility will further enhance Arizona’s standout reputation as a renewable energy leader. In thanking all the partners involved, I want to specifically recognize the crucial partnership of the late Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord, whose record of service will continue to have a positive impact on Goodyear for years to come.”
Arizona provided the company flexibility, ease of access and resilience for Meyer Burger’s customers in the growing North American market, according to the release.
“Meyer Burger is thrilled to be establishing roots in Arizona and expanding our footprint to the United States,” Gunter Erfurt, CEO of Meyer Burger, said in the release.
“Solar energy will be critical to achieving U.S. and global clean energy goals, and our proprietary heterojunction cell technology and patented SmartWire module technology enable us to produce products of the highest quality and performance in order to offer our customers economically competitive solar components.”
Around 800 people are employed by the company at research facilities in Switzerland, development and manufacturing sites in Germany and sales offices in Europe, the United States and Asia.
The company has already begun hiring key personnel to support the installation of equipment and initial startup of the facility, according to the release, with the plan being to continue hiring throughout next year to train personnel and ramp production quickly.
