Michigan Selected to be Site of New DOW Powerhouse Solar Shingle Facility
Source/Type: Reported News

Author: CompoundSemi News Staff

February 8, 2010... The Dow Chemical Company reports that Midland, Michigan is the preferred site for its first full-scale production facility of its Powerhouse Solar Shingle. The final site selection is subject to finalizing local, state and federal funding. If selected, the facility could bring more than 1,200 jobs to the region by 2014. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is considering up to $140 million in economic incentives for the plant, which would produce the photovoltaic solar panels in the form of solar shingles that can be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingle materials.

Dow indicates that local, state, and federal funding will help Dow Solar Solutions accelerate production plans for the solar shingles already being manufactured on a small-scale at its market development plant in Midland. Caltech also recently signed a multi-year research collaboration with the company. If received, the MEDC economic package will add to the $100 million in investments Dow has already made in the development of solar solutions since the program’s inception in 2007 when Dow was awarded a $20 million Solar America Initiative Pathways Program grant by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Andrew N. Liveris, Dow Chairman and CEO commented, “Collaboration between government and business is essential to overcoming the challenges facing our society today, including energy, climate change and the creation of sustainable jobs. ” Dow Chemical News Release

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