Solar panel manufacturer to open $33M Midlands plant, bringing 200 new jobs
A global solar panel manufacturer plans to make a multimillion-dollar investment in Orangeburg County and bring in hundreds of new jobs.
LOCATION
Orangeburg, SC
PROPERTY
Millennium I
Hounen Solar announced Monday that it would open a plant in Orangeburg at 145 Millenium Drive. It will be the first manufacturing operation for Hounen in the U.S. The company plans to make a $33 million investment and bring in 200 new jobs.
Hounen is headquartered in Chino, California, according to a release from S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster’s office, and manufactures solar photovoltaic panels worldwide. Hounen will lease a 200,720-square-foot plant in Orangeburg, which will “allow the company to develop, manufacture and sell one gigawatt crystalline silicon PV panels in the U.S.,” per a news release.
“Hounen’s investment in Orangeburg County not only adds to the state’s growing renewable energy economy but also shows that South Carolina is a place where companies in every industry can thrive,” McMaster said in a statement. “We look forward to creating a strong partnership with Hounen for years to come and seeing the impact of these 200 new jobs.”
The Hounen announcement continues a recent trend for the state in announcing green economic development projects. The most notable recent example was Scout’s announcement it would build a $2 billion electric vehicle factory in Richland County, one that will eventually employ 4,000 people.
State Commerce Secretary Harry Lightsey welcomed Hounen to the Palmetto State.
“This investment by Hounen will further strengthen South Carolina’s growing reputation in the clean energy sector, and we are excited for the environmental and economic opportunities that they will bring to the state,” Lightsey said in a statement. “We welcome them to Orangeburg County and look forward to seeing them excel.”
Monday’s release did not specify when the company would open its South Carolina facility.
Original article from The State
