ivcair.org - Silicon Border gets $3.5 billion more

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Sunday, June 8, 2008 10:38 PM PDT

MEXICALI — A German solar cell producer plans to invest up to $3.5 billion over five years in a manufacturing complex in Mexicali.

Q-Cells AG plans to build the 150-acre complex in the Silicon Border Science Park, a yet-to-be built industrial park 10 miles west of Mexicali at the foot of Mt. Signal.

In an announcement Thursday in Mexico City, Mexican President Felipe Calderón said it was the highest registered investment in Mexico in many years.

“Mexico is on the road to become a world leader in attracting investment, particularly in high technology industries and today is a path in that direction,” he said.

The plant could create 4,500 jobs and up to 13,000 indirect jobs, the president said.

With Imperial County’s 15.9 percent unemployment rate, more than double the state’s 6.1 percent rate, Valley workers could be positively impacted.

Silicon Border publications have highlighted its proximity to the Imperial Valley and other U.S. regions with labor and industrial markets.

Baja California Gov. José Guadalupe Osuna Millan and a Q-Cells’ vice presidents were present at the announcement in Mexico City.

“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,” said Q-Cells Chief Executive Officer Anton Milner in a press release.

The Q-Cells complex will be comprised of separate facilities and built in phases. The first phase is expected to begin later this year, said Mike Oliver, a spokesman for the Silicon Border, the developer of the Science Park.

Silicon Border is teaming up with ING to fund the construction of the Science Park. Mexican builders have been hired to construct the park.

Q-Cells AG is the largest manufacturers of solar cells worldwide with 1,800 employees, according to Silicon Border’s press release. It has branches in Hong Kong, China and Japan.

The company will produce thin-film modules, a new-generation technology for solar panels.

>> Staff Writer Victor Morales can be reached at 337-3452 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it