May 27 2008
Silicon Border Science Park, located in Mexicali, the capital city of Baja California, Mexico, has been selected by Q-Cells, the world's largest solar cell manufacturer, for its next major expansion.
Q-Cells’ primary manufacturing facility is located in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany. The company chose Silicon Border Science Park for its American manufacturing site because of its strategic location and business-friendly environment.
The Science Park is a 10,000-acre, world-class science and technology based industrial park that supports leading-edge manufacturing and research facilities owned by major technology groups from across the globe. The Park is located on the U.S. and Mexican border, which provides easy access to all of the top technology hubs within the U.S. and enables manufacturers to cost-effectively compete with operations anywhere in the world. It is a two-hour drive east of San Diego; a three-hour drive to both Los Angeles and Phoenix; and a two-hour flight to Dallas and Austin. Its proximity provides an ideal location to target the U.S. market, which is the world’s largest consumer of electronics and potentially will become the largest for solar products.
“Our goal is to provide a strategic manufacturing alternative to Asia for cost-effective, high technology operations in North America,” said Daniel J. Hill, CEO of Silicon Border. “We have been working diligently to bring advanced manufacturing back to this region, and with this expansion decision from Q-Cells, this initiative is now becoming a reality.”
Silicon Border has entered into a financial partnership with ING Clarion to fund the construction of the Science Park, and a partnership with the Mexican Design & Construction Firm, Maiz Transforma to complete the infrastructure build-out.
The Park’s strategic location will allow Q-Cells to have excellent business flexibility for its global operations. Mexico has free trade agreements with 43 countries worldwide, including the U.S., and offers tax and financial incentives that are equal to, if not better than, most any place in the world. The presence of Q-Cells within the Park is also a benefit for Mexico. It is an important first step in the country’s goal of developing the solar industry for its economy, and enables them to become a world leader in the alternative energy sector.
Anton Milner, Q-Cells Chief Executive Officer, said: “The location is ideal for the American markets. With our strategic decision to locate the innovative Thin Film technology in Silicon Border/Mexicali we want to jointly enter into the Solar-High-Tech era in Mexico.”
Q-Cells’ manufacturing complex will be comprised of separate facilities, and will be developed in phases, with construction of the first phase beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008. Facility and plant investments are expected to reach up to $3.5 billion in the mid to long term. The expansion plans are contingent upon the development of the Photovoltaics markets in the U.S., Mexico and Latin America, that will be supplied from Mexicali. The overall size of the site will be 60 hectares (150 acres).
Bringing Q-Cells to Mexico is a reflection of the excellent working relationship and leadership that Silicon Border recognizes in the Baja California government, in particular SEDECO, the state’s department of Economic Development, who has jointly promoted Silicon Border Science Park since its inception.
Guided by U.S. semiconductor industry veterans, Silicon Border is a cost-effective, manufacturing alternative in North America for the world’s most advanced technologies, such as semiconductor, solar cell, telecommunications and flat-panel display manufacturers. It provides 10,000 acres of land for business space supported by a world-class, industrial infrastructure and a significant Planned Urban Development Community. The Science Park is in close proximity to three major area universities, and will be home to the Baja California State University campus of engineering.
Silicon Border Development is currently in discussion with a number of additional companies looking to grow their global operations.