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Mage Solar to build 800MW solar factory in Georgia

(from left to right): Georgia State Senator Ross Tolleson and Mage Industrie Holding Chairman Dr Markus Feil with Governor Sonny Perdue, Mage Solar CEO Norbert Philipp and Mage Senior VP Sylvia Minton

Germany’s Mage Solar is to set up its North American headquarters and a new production facility for photovoltaic modules in the state of Georgia, it announced yesterday.

The company will invest $30 million in the site in the city of Dublin, in Laurens County.

It is expecting to create 350 jobs in the endeavor, within the next five years.

The initial phase will see the solar PV plant producing 40MW of generating systems each year, but this is expected to expand to 800MW by the last phase of expansion.

Mage Solar, which is part of the Mage Group with its global HQ in Ravensburg, Southern Germany, said because of the “great potential” of the American market, it was keen to get production underway by the end of 2010.

Norbert Philipp, CEO of Mage Solar, said: “We are certain that we have found the perfect home for our company based on the excellent infrastructure, impressive workforce known for its productivity, integrity and skill, as well as a keenly business oriented leadership, who during the whole process also never lost focus of what is best for the future of Georgia, Laurens County and the City of Dublin.”

Powertec

Mage Solar produces photovoltaic modules, high-performance branded inverters and its own mounting systems.

The new Dublin site will see production of the company’s Powertec Plus solar modules. The mono- and polycrystalline silicon modules are available in 170, 175, 180, 185, 220, 225 and 230 watts, with Mage claiming a 17.3% efficiency for the cells.

While its primary focus will be on the North American market, in the long term the Dublin site could also service the international market outside the US.

The company is also aiming to develop a solar academy at its North American HQ, for education and training in the industry.

Georgia’s Governor, Sonny Perdue, said he was pleased to welcome the company to his state. “MAGE gives us the opportunity to expand our leadership position and industry competitiveness in the renewable energy sector,” said Gov. Perdue. “The growth of renewable energy is important to our state and nation, so I believe MAGE SOLAR will be successful for years to come in Dublin.”