RRSpin - Solar module company to locate in county

Friday, 17 June 2016 11:08

Solar module company to locate in county

Written by Lance Martin

Rate this item

(2 votes)

Chellappan, left, and the governor shake hands.

The managing director of a manufacturing company which will produce solar modules says construction of the facility off Highway 561 outside Halifax will begin a month from now.

“We want to start it as quick as we can,” said R. Chellepan of SWELECT Energy Systems.

Governor Pat McCrory and Halifax County economic development officials announced today the company, previously coded as Project Sunshine, would be locating at the Halifax Corporate Park outside Halifax.

The company, which will locate on land previously designated for the former Empire Foods, which became ensnared in legal issues, is the United States unit for SEWLECT, which is a power electronic and renewable energy firm based in Mylapore, India, the governor's office said today.

“Producing modules at the Halifax County facility allows us to help North Carolina meet its renewable energy goals and further support the U.S. market,” Chellepan said at a gathering at the site, where the project was announced. “Our partnership with North Carolina and Halifax County presents the opportunity for SWELECT to leverage 30 years of world class experience in solar manufacturing. We are delighted that our products will be made in the USA.”

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://rrspin.com/archives/item/12552-solar-module-company-to-locate-in-county.html#sigProId7c9c9e8981

Chellepan said, “We are delighted to call Halifax home. We look forward to establishing a world class market here.”

The governor's office said the company intends to build a 155-person workforce over the next five years and will invest more than $4.7 million in a manufacturing facility and adjacent solar farm on the site.

McCrory said he was excited to make the announcement today. “The economy has been terrible in Halifax County for the past three to four years. Working together as a team we have taken a proactive approach. We've almost reduced in half the unemployment because of teamwork.”

McCrory said the announcement is an example of North Carolina’s competitive business climate, talented workforce and strong economic comeback, especially in manufacturing. “SWELECT also fits in to our all-of-the-above energy strategy to contribute to our country’s energy independence and create jobs in North Carolina.”

State Secretary of Commerce John E. Skvarla said, “SWELECT’s choice of Halifax County highlights all the factors that have made North Carolina the Southeast’s number one state for manufacturing jobs.”

He said, “A competitive cost-structure, highly productive workers and ease of access to North American markets all will play a part in this company’s success.”

The governor's office said positions will include skilled operators, quality control specialists, logistics personnel and others. Annual salaries will vary by position but will average at least $30,419. Overall wages in Halifax County currently average $30,395 per year.

The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant of up to $600,000 from the One North Carolina Fund.

Halifax County commissioners also recently agreed to provide funds for the project.

In the proposal commissioners were asked to expend funds for the construction of a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the amount of $1.5 million.

According to the notice of public hearing on the matter, the county intends to approve a five-year lease with a five-year renewal and option to purchase approximately 20.89 acres. The fair market lease value of the land of the property is estimated to be $108,000 and the annual lease payments the company will make is $1 per year. If certain conditions are met the company will have the option to purchase the property, according to the notice.

Board of commissioners Chair Vernon Bryant said afterward he feels confident about the company. “I think it's a wonderful opportunity. I appreciate the governor coming down and I look forward to the company coming here. They've been successful in India. I think they will bring the same thing to us in North Carolina.”

Chellepan said afterward, “It's a good location. A lot of people are looking for clean, non-polluting sources of energy. It's easy to deploy.”

Read 6014 times Last modified on Friday, 17 June 2016 11:55