Inverter manufacturer, Power-One, Inc., has opened its first North American manufacturing facility in Phoenix that will eventually employ 350 people. Power-One’s Phoenix facility will produce photovoltaic and wind inverters.
The facility will reach a capacity of 1 gigawatt of product by the end of the year with available site capacity reaching 4 gigawatts, which would generate enough electricity to power up to two million homes. The inverters manufactured at this facility will be installed in residential, commercial and utility settings.
Governor Jan Brewer, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, Arizona Commerce Authority President and CEO Don Cardon, Power-One President and CEO Richard Thompson, Greater Phoenix Economic Council President and CEO Barry Broome and other dignitaries signed the front panel of the first central inverter, a 100 kilowatt unit, assembled at the Phoenix facility.
“Power-One is excited to open its manufacturing and research and development center in Arizona, as we bring more jobs to the United States and establish our North American renewable energy footprint,” Thompson said. “We view the opportunity to open new markets in the U.S. and abroad, as well as to introduce new technologies, as key drivers to our future success.”
“I have been consistently focused on ensuring Arizona is a magnet for business relocation, capital investment and a catalyst for the creation of new business and new jobs – and with the work of my Arizona Commerce Authority, we’re seeing tremendous results in the solar space,” said Gov. Brewer, who presided over the grand opening ceremony. “Arizona now ranks number one in the nation for solar industry and manufacturing and we are the best in the nation when it comes to competing globally for solar energy companies that are relocating and expanding. I welcome Power-One and look forward to its partnership in growing this industry in our state.”
“Arizona is proud that Power-One will now support their global customers and our local market with their new manufacturing facility in Phoenix,” Cardon said. “Power-One is among the world’s largest providers of renewable energy and ‘green’ power solutions. As we look to the future, the Arizona Commerce Authority will continue to cultivate such investments in the renewable energy sector to ensure job retention, creation and training in this growing industry. We’re committed to supporting this sector because we know Arizona can become the solar capitol of the world and lead the nation as solar demand continues to grow globally and intensify nationally.”
Power-One’s 122,000 square-foot Phoenix facility, located at 3201 E. Harbour Dr., began operating in October and already employs 40 people.
"We are proud to welcome Power-One to our great city, and continue welcoming partners who are committed to a greener, more prosperous Phoenix," said Mayor Gordon. "The grand opening of this facility is another example of how Phoenix's economic recovery is quickly gaining momentum to turn 2011 into the year for job creation."
Power-One decided to move to Phoenix because of the region’s strong workforce, access to intellectual resources at Arizona State University, and strong support from Gov. Brewer, the Arizona Commerce Authority, the City of Phoenix and GPEC.
"The renewable energy industrial cluster in Arizona is substantially stronger and more diverse with the arrival of Power-One. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the Power-One team built on collaborative research and innovation in the years ahead,” said Todd Hardy, ASU’s associate vice president for economic affairs.
