F
irst there was Apple. Then came Blackberry. Now another technology firm with a fruity name is aiming for its day in the sun. Grape Solar
is the latest manufacturing company to join Oregon’s growing
alternative energy array. The company is opening an assembly facility in
Eugene and will employ about 200 in the assembly of solar panels and
solar kits.
Ocean Yuan, Grape Solar’s CEO, says the growing number of
states that offer incentives for solar panel installation, plus
available federal incentives, make the time right for a U.S. assembly
facility. The Eugene site is the first of six the company plans in North
America. Based in Eugene, Grape Solar is backed by a consortium of
Chinese solar panel manufacturers.
“We are currently manufacturing in China, however we have
demand in the U.S. with certain states offering high incentives for
solar,” says Yuan. “This solar thing has been gradually building
momentum to have a mass appeal. Consumers are thinking about it.
Commercial rooftop owners are doing it because at the federal level, 30
percent of the total installed costs are paid by the investment tax
credit. For example, if you have a gigantic rooftop and put $10 million
of solar panels on it, the government would write you a check for $3
million within 60 days of grid connection.”
To read the full, original article click on this link: OREGON -- Site Selection magazine, July 2010
Author: JOHN W. McCURRY
