Wafers for Solar Panels

Evergreen Solar utilizes a unique wafer manufacturing process, which forms solar panels by drawing chemically coated high-temperature filament through a bath of molten polycrystalline silicon, improving quality control and reducing raw material waste while decreasing the environmental impact of the manufacturing process.

When Evergreen Solar determined they needed to locate their high-temperature filament plant in a community that welcomes and understands industry, they chose Midland, Michigan, a center of chemical and materials manufacturing and expertise. Midland Tomorrow offered a package that met their aggressive project time and wetlands issues:

• Worked with Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to confirm in three weeks that wetlands were legal for industrial development.
• Approved site plan within 45 days of application and 30 days from submission of the plan itself.
• Expedited air quality permitting through direct contact with state officials.
• Waived $650,000 in fees for improved electrical infrastructure.
• Facilitated negotiations for wastewater discharge permit.
• Secured $10 million incentive package from State of Michigan and City of Midland.
• Completed the entire permitting process described above in fewer than 90 days.

Evergreen is currently finishing construction on their $55 million manufacturing facility in Midland's Eastwick Industrial Park. The plant is expected to create 100 full-time jobs within five years.