OEDA Press Release - SANYO Groundbreaking

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information:
Krista Hildebrand
Phone: 503-467-4686
khildebrand@frause.com

SANYO SOLAR TO BUILD NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY
IN SALEM, OREGON

Six solar energy companies within 16 months select Oregon to build new manufacturing plants adding to the state’s growing renewable energy cluster

SALEM, Ore. October 15, 2008 ― Proving once again that the state has the right combination of skilled workers, low business costs, and environmental incentives, a sixth solar energy company in just 16 months has announced that it will locate its newest manufacturing facility in Oregon. On October 15, SANYO Solar of Oregon, a division of SANYO North America, will break ground on its $80 million, 130,000-square-foot silicon ingot manufacturing facility in Salem, the state’s capital and second largest city. The company plans to begin operations in October 2009 and be fully operational in April 2010.

"Oregon has just the type of workers we are looking for," said Akihiko Oiwa, director of communications for SANYO North America Corporation. "Workers with past experience in the semiconductor industry possess the skills we need for our solar cell plant. After looking at numerous sites throughout the country, the workers, coupled with the Business Energy Tax Credit, made Oregon the right choice for our new plant."

When the company begins operations in the fall of 2009, it expects to employ approximately 120 workers; when fully operational in the spring of 2010, it expects to have 200 employees on board. The average salary and benefit package will be $50,000 per employee, with an estimated annual payroll of $8.6 million.

In addition to skilled workers, SANYO executives were attracted to the state because of its Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) program and overall business climate that encourages companies to adopt environmental initiatives. Oregon’s Department of Energy offers the tax credits to companies that invest in energy conservation, recycling, renewable energy resources and less-polluting transportation fuels.

"This is a great win for the state," said Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski. "Oregon competed globally for this project, and our reputation as a renewable energy leader is strengthened once again as we welcome our newest partner, Sanyo. Oregon's solar industry will be producing more solar cells than any other state in the U.S. by next year, and we will continue our success in advancing renewable energy development in partnership with companies like Sanyo."

The new SANYO Solar manufacturing plant will be located in the Salem Renewable Energy and Technology Park, an 80-acre parcel developed by the city of Salem specifically for renewable energy and other technology companies. The property was a part of the state’s certified site program meaning that all permitting and regulatory issues have been addressed and the site is "project ready." Additionally, the new facility will be located in Salem’s enterprise zone, which provides tax abatement on new construction and equipment.

"The Willamette Valley region is becoming increasingly well known throughout the world for its commitment to sustainable industries and its dedication to the environment," said Ray Burstedt, president of Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR), the lead economic development agency for Marion and Polk counties. "The Renewable Energy and Technology Park in Salem was created with these companies in mind and the decision by SANYO to be the first to locate here is a testament to how attractive the area is to all types of high-tech employers."

In June of 2007, Santa Clara, Calif.-based Solaicx was the first major solar energy company to announce that it would be locating a manufacturing facility in Oregon, which will be located in Portland. Since that time, four other corporations, excluding SANYO, have selected sites throughout the state for future manufacturing facilities. These include:

Peak Sun, which broke ground on its Millersburg, Ore., plant in February, 2008;
Germany-based SolarWorld, which will be opening the doors to its new facility in Hillsboro, Ore. on October 17;
SpectraWatt, Inc., a solar energy company funded by Intel’s investment arm, Intel Capital, which also will be located in the Hillsboro area; and
XsunX, which will be building its first manufacturing plant in Wood Village, located just 20 minutes east of Portland.

About SANYO

SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. was incorporated in 1950. The name SANYO in Japanese means “three oceans”: the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans, and symbolizes the Company’s global perspective. SANYO aims at becoming a leading provider of Environment- and Energy-related products, providing product solutions for the Environment, Energy and Lifestyle with consolidated sales of US$ 20,178 million for Fiscal Year 2007. SANYO's businesses cover a broad range of products and services such as photovoltaic (solar) systems, rechargeable batteries, HVAC/R equipment, digital imaging devices, home appliances, electronic components and others. Based on its brand vision “Think GAIA,” SANYO is committed to providing cutting-edge solutions for a sustainable world by weaving together its numerous proprietary technologies. For further information, please visit www.sanyo.com.

About Salem, Oregon

Salem, the capital city of Oregon and its second largest city, lies in the center of the Willamette Valley, and is 47 miles south of the state’s largest city, Portland. Additionally, it is located an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west.

About SEDCOR

The Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR) in Salem is the lead economic development agency for Marion and Polk counties. This private, nonprofit membership organization’s mission is to enhance and diversify the Mid-Willamette Valley area’s economy. The city has an excellent K-12 school system and five institutions of higher education. Salem’s educational institutions provide undergraduate and graduate programs and workforce training, as well as contribute to a myriad of arts and cultural organizations that enrich the community. For further information, please visit www.sedcor.com.


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NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information: Krista Hildebrand Phone: 503-467-4686 khildebrand@frause.com SANYO SOLAR TO BUILD NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN SALEM, OREGON Six solar energy companies within 16 months select Oregon to build new manufacturing plants adding to the state’s growing renewable energy cluster SALEM, Ore. October 15, 2008 ― Proving once again that the state has the right combination of skilled workers, low business costs, and environmental incentives, a sixth solar energy company in just 16 months has announced that it will locate its newest manufacturing facility in Oregon. On October 15, SANYO Solar of Oregon, a division of SANYO North America, will break ground on its $80 million, 130,000-square-foot silicon ingot manufacturing facility in Salem, the state’s capital and second largest city. The company plans to begin operations in October 2009 and be fully operational in April 2010. "Oregon has just the type of workers we are looking for," said Akihiko Oiwa, director of communications for SANYO North America Corporation. "Workers with past experience in the semiconductor industry possess the skills we need for our solar cell plant. After looking at numerous sites throughout the country, the workers, coupled with the Business Energy Tax Credit, made Oregon the right choice for our new plant." When the company begins operations in the fall of 2009, it expects to employ approximately 120 workers; when fully operational in the spring of 2010, it expects to have 200 employees on board. The average salary and benefit package will be $50,000 per employee, with an estimated annual payroll of $8.6 million. In addition to skilled workers, SANYO executives were attracted to the state because of its Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) program and overall business climate that encourages companies to adopt environmental initiatives. Oregon’s Department of Energy offers the tax credits to companies that invest in energy conservation, recycling, renewable energy resources and less-polluting transportation fuels. "This is a great win for the state," said Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski. "Oregon competed globally for this project, and our reputation as a renewable energy leader is strengthened once again as we welcome our newest partner, Sanyo. Oregon's solar industry will be producing more solar cells than any other state in the U.S. by next year, and we will continue our success in advancing renewable energy development in partnership with companies like Sanyo." The new SANYO Solar manufacturing plant will be located in the Salem Renewable Energy and Technology Park, an 80-acre parcel developed by the city of Salem specifically for renewable energy and other technology companies. The property was a part of the state’s certified site program meaning that all permitting and regulatory issues have been addressed and the site is "project ready." Additionally, the new facility will be located in Salem’s enterprise zone, which provides tax abatement on new construction and equipment. "The Willamette Valley region is becoming increasingly well known throughout the world for its commitment to sustainable industries and its dedication to the environment," said Ray Burstedt, president of Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR), the lead economic development agency for Marion and Polk counties. "The Renewable Energy and Technology Park in Salem was created with these companies in mind and the decision by SANYO to be the first to locate here is a testament to how attractive the area is to all types of high-tech employers." In June of 2007, Santa Clara, Calif.-based Solaicx was the first major solar energy company to announce that it would be locating a manufacturing facility in Oregon, which will be located in Portland. Since that time, four other corporations, excluding SANYO, have selected sites throughout the state for future manufacturing facilities. These include: Peak Sun, which broke ground on its Millersburg, Ore., plant in February, 2008; Germany-based SolarWorld, which will be opening the doors to its new facility in Hillsboro, Ore. on October 17; SpectraWatt, Inc., a solar energy company funded by Intel’s investment arm, Intel Capital, which also will be located in the Hillsboro area; and XsunX, which will be building its first manufacturing plant in Wood Village, located just 20 minutes east of Portland. About SANYO SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. was incorporated in 1950. The name SANYO in Japanese means “three oceans”: the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans, and symbolizes the Company’s global perspective. SANYO aims at becoming a leading provider of Environment- and Energy-related products, providing product solutions for the Environment, Energy and Lifestyle with consolidated sales of US$ 20,178 million for Fiscal Year 2007. SANYO's businesses cover a broad range of products and services such as photovoltaic (solar) systems, rechargeable batteries, HVAC/R equipment, digital imaging devices, home appliances, electronic components and others. Based on its brand vision “Think GAIA,” SANYO is committed to providing cutting-edge solutions for a sustainable world by weaving together its numerous proprietary technologies. For further information, please visit www.sanyo.com. About Salem, Oregon Salem, the capital city of Oregon and its second largest city, lies in the center of the Willamette Valley, and is 47 miles south of the state’s largest city, Portland. Additionally, it is located an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. About SEDCOR The Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR) in Salem is the lead economic development agency for Marion and Polk counties. This private, nonprofit membership organization’s mission is to enhance and diversify the Mid-Willamette Valley area’s economy. The city has an excellent K-12 school system and five institutions of higher education. Salem’s educational institutions provide undergraduate and graduate programs and workforce training, as well as contribute to a myriad of arts and cultural organizations that enrich the community. For further information, please visit www.sedcor.com.