SC county OKs tax breaks for a solar equipment manufacturer

Dorchester County Council has approved tax breaks for a solar-power equipment manufacturer that’s proposing to open a Summerville factory.

Translucent Energy Inc. plans to invest $15 million in the expansion, according to a public document. The number of jobs the New York City-based company plans to create wasn’t disclosed.

The tax-break agreement shows that Translucent will move into McQueen Industrial Park, near Highway 78 and Jedburg Road. It will be leasing a vacant 286,000-square-foot building that formerly housed farm-equipment giant Caterpillar Inc. and British defense contractor BAE Systems.

Few other details were released publicly about the company at a July 20 public hearing where Summerville resident Tommy Feagin requested the final incentives vote be postponed until more information was made available.

The measure passed unanimously.

Translucent’s Summerville expansion proposal first surfaced publicly last month.

“For clarity, I think some folks are worried this is a solar farm,” Councilmember Jay Byars said at a June 15 meeting. “It is not. This a manufacturer going into an existing … building.”

Under the incentives deal, Translucent’s property taxes will be replaced with a fixed fee for 20 years. Also, the company will be credited 20 percent of those payments for six years to reimburse it for certain expenses associated with the expansion, such as road improvements or utility work.

Translucent did not respond to emails seeking comment. The phone number on its website is out of service.

John Truluck, economic development director for Dorchester County, said he’s working with the company on a formal announcement detailing its Summerville investment.

According to its website, Translucent makes solar modules and other renewable energy equipment, such as sun-powered electric-vehicle charging stations and power-storage systems.