October 28, 2009

Millville, NJ, USA: MX Group Establishes 100MW Module Manufacturing Plant in New Jersey

MX USA Corporation, a new solar manufacturing company is to build a solar panel factory in Millville, New Jersey. This plant will be one of the largest manufacturers of polycrystalline solar panels in the Northeastern United States.

Capable of producing panels that will create 100 Megawatts of energy per year, as well as the cells to power them, the factory is creating 282 green-tech jobs in Southern New Jersey.

Production is planned to start in early 2010.

MX USA Corporation is a joint venture between two companies. MX Group S.P.A. is an Italian solar energy company that manufactures polycrystalline solar panels , and also builds and operates solar assets throughout the world. IPPsolar is a start-up U.S. independent power producer that develops, finances, and operates solar power plants in the United States.

The factory is being built and financed as a unique public/private partnership. The project will benefit from federal stimulus funds, state support by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and Bureau of Public Utilities, and the efforts of the City of Millville.

Michael Latefi, CFO of MX USA, noted that the group was happy to locate their facility in Millville, because of the availability of a relatively easily convertible glass manufacturing facility, and a trained and available workforce. Millville, New Jersey was a center of glass manufacturing in the United States, since its first glass factory opened in 1806. The last large factory in the town closed in 1999, when production was outsourced to a foreign country. The return of glass manufacturing to the region, with a green twist, will demonstrate the viability of high-tech production in the U.S.

For the town, Millville’s Director of Economic Development, Don Ayres, notes that "The new solar panel factory means that we are beginning to participate in Twenty-first century glass production.”

Millville's Mayor, Tim Shannon, commented "We are excited to be part of the renewable energy revolution. This effort is part of a larger vision of making Millville a leader in renewable energy, while also creating hundreds of local jobs."

Governor Jon Corzine of New Jersey added "New Jersey has taken a revolutionary position in developing renewable energy programs. Reinforced by new incentives offered by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009, New Jersey is positioned to become a manufacturing nexus. We fully support and commend this effort specifically for its creativity in pushing the envelope on the renewable energy imperative, challenging foreign products in price, technology and durability, and celebrating the notion of 'Made in USA,' while also creating many US jobs."

Carmelito Denaro, the Chief Executive Officer of MX USA, commented “We feel that the United States, and particularly the State of New Jersey, is uniquely positioned for a solar revolution.”

Further details about: MX Group and IPP Solar