Governor Kevin Stitt celebrates announcement of solar manufacturing operation in Oklahoma - Oklahoma City Sentinel
Governor Kevin Stitt celebrates announcement of solar manufacturing operation in Oklahoma | Business & Energy | citynewsokc.com
Oklahoma City -- On Friday, Governor Kevin Stitt released a statement celebrating NorSun's decision to invest in Oklahoma.
“Oklahoma is the most business friendly state in the nation, and companies from around the world are taking notice,” said Gov. Stitt.
In his statement, transmitted to CityNews late in the workday on Friday, June 28, the chief executive officer for the state said:
“I'm thrilled that Oklahomans will benefit from hundreds of new jobs in the Tulsa area and a $620 million capital investment. Our business-friendly regulations, workforce development efforts, and 'more of everything' energy approach make us an incredible state to invest in, and I'm glad NorSun is going to be a part of it."
A press release narrative from Stitt's communications staff continued, "Norwegian solar energy company, NorSun, has selected Oklahoma for its first U.S.-based factory. The factory will manufacture solar wafers, an advanced silicon disc that converts sunlight into electricity. NorSun will invest an initial $620 million into their facility and will create 320 new jobs in Oklahoma. The site will come online in 2026."
“Our business plan has an ambitious timeline, so we knew we needed a partner who can work fast and efficiently to meet the critical need of American-made energy,” said NorSun CEO Erik Løkke-Øwre.
“Oklahoma impressed us even before our selection journey – its robust clean energy, manufacturing ecosystem and workforce development programs were already on our radar, and its competitive business offerings and site acceleration options solidified our decision.”
Oklahoma ranks #6 in the nation for solar potential, boasting more sunny days than Texas, California and Florida.
Note: Pat McGuigan prepared this posting for CityNews, working from a press release transmitted on Friday, and from NorSun materials online.
Related Knowledge Center: ENERGY BASICS: solar
Declining costs and government encouragement have resulted in a rapid increase in solar energy production in the United States over the past 10 years, although solar’s share remains small: 1.6 percent of all electricity generation in 2018. That rapid growth is projected to continue.