Oregon Chosen for Peak Sun Solar Facility

Peak Sun Silicon Corporation will construct a photovoltaic silicon manufacturing facility in Millersburg.

The basic building block of PV technology is the solar 'cell.' A solar cell is a kind of semiconductor device (which essentially is a sandwich of two kinds of silicon) that takes advantage of the 'photovoltaic' effect, in which electricity is produced when the semiconductor's 'PN junction' (the interface between the two kinds of silicon in the cell) is irradiated. When light strikes a solar cell, part of it is reflected, part of it is absorbed, and part of it passes through the cell. Courtesy: SunUtility.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon continues to be the business location of choice for solar energy companies, with Peak Sun, a photovoltaic silicon manufacturing company, announcing that construction of the first phase of a facility in Millersburg will begin with an $18 million investment.

The project will initially employ 50 workers, with growth to 500 and an additional capital investment of $700 million during phase 2, estimated for completion in 2011.

"Oregon is on track to become the largest photovoltaic-producing state in North America by 2009," said Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski.

"Oregon has key strengths in this industry due to our strong semiconductor sector. The combination of skilled workers, business climate, and our state's focus on growing renewable energy industries has made Oregon the top choice for companies like Peak Sun."

The Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, the City of Millersburg and the Albany-Millersburg Economic Development Corporation all worked together to bring the project to Oregon.

This is the latest in a string of recent recruitments of photovoltaic silicon manufacturers to the state.

"The combination of business incentives, the state's strong commitment to the development and use of solar energy, and the emerging solar industry community make Oregon a unique, attractive location for Peak Sun to develop its pioneering process for manufacturing silicon," said John C. Schumacher, president of Peak Sun.

Peak Sun Silicon produces granular, electronic-grade polysilicon for photovoltaic system manufacturers. Photovoltaic silicon cells are used to make solar energy panels.

Phase one of the projected is expected to be operational in the fall of 2008.

Source: Oregon Economic and Community Development Department