Solar cell manufacturing planned for New Mexico via Ebon Solar
Solar cell manufacturing is planned for New Mexico, according to NM Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Ebon Solar. The two sides jointly announced an estimated $942 million investment in solar cell manufacturing last week. The 834,000-square-foot solar cell manufacturing facility is planned for Albuquerque’s Mesa del Sol industrial development area, and should create 900 new jobs.
“Ebon Solar is proud to be an innovator in technologies that support renewable energy,” Ebon Solar CEO Judy Cai said. “The choice of Albuquerque for our investment aligns with our commitment to sustainable innovation, and New Mexico offers abundant solar resources, favorable renewable energy policies, and a dedicated, skilled workforce. These factors enhance Ebon Solar’s capital investment and production capabilities and make the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, and the State of New Mexico ideal partners as we integrate into the clean energy market.”
Solar cells are key component to building out a U.S.-based solar module supply chain, and the main target of AD/CVD tariffs.
Who is Ebon Solar LLC?
Good question. The LLC of Ebon Solar is a Delaware-based, U.S. solar cell manufacturing company. Ebon is leveraging the advanced chip technology and financial resources of Ebang International, a Singapore-based and NASDAQ-listed semiconductor chip company with over 13 years of experience. According to Reuters, the company has application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip design capability and principally engages in manufacturing and selling high-performance bitcoin mining machines and telecommunication products. In solar, Ebang is focused on TOPCon solar cell technology.
Ebon Solar notes that the way they create solar cells is unique and efficient. “We rely on our resources and expertise in ASIC chips to increase production and drive efficiencies, outperforming the existing traditional solar cell technology.”
“We welcome Ebon Solar. This is a company that wants to diversify its business mix and sees New Mexico as the place to develop its innovative solar technology and build a skilled, high-paid workforce,” said Melinda Allen, president and CEO of the New Mexico Partnership, the nonprofit private marketing arm of the New Mexico Economic Development Department.
The Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) served as a key project management partner throughout Ebon Solar’s market evaluation process, facilitating numerous visits, interviews, and data analysis of the region as well as site selection support.
“We are bringing in more opportunities for our families in industries that will help us build a sustainable economy and a sustainable city,” Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said. “This means more high-paying jobs for locals as Albuquerque continues to become a leader in clean energy.”
The significant greenfield investment for Ebon Solar’s New Mexico production complex is aimed at developing beginning-to-end advanced manufacturing of solar cells.
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