Canadian solar panel manufacturer Silfab plans to invest $4 million into its Bellingham, Washington, assembly plant to add more advanced manufacturing equipment for its high-efficiency panels. The Washington State Department of Commerce provided a $250,000 economic development grant to the Port of Bellingham to assist the expansion. An estimated 20 to 40 new jobs are expected when the expanded production ramps up later this year.
“Silfab remains committed to ongoing investments to improve product innovation and increase our footprint of quality manufacturing within the U.S.,” said Paolo Maccario, CEO Silfab Solar. “Silfab supplies some of the best solar companies in the United States. This support from the state of Washington and Port of Bellingham will further increase Silfab’s solar production to deliver premium U.S.-made solar modules to meet our partners’ growing demand.”
Silfab’s production capacity out of the Washington plant will reach 400 MW annually, making the company the fifth largest solar panel manufacturer in the United States (behind First Solar, Q CELLS, Tesla, LG and tied with JinkoSolar). Silfab moved into Washington after purchasing the former Itek Energy manufacturing site in 2018. At the time, Itek was producing 150 MW of panels annually.
“Clean electricity is the foundation of Washington’s clean energy economy,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “Silfab’s leadership will help us build the cleanest energy grid in the nation and realize our goal of 100% clean electricity by 2045.”
Silfab produces high-efficiency solar panels, including all-black and bifacial, for use in all markets. The company works with DSM for high-power back-contact solar panels with conductive backsheets.
Hello, My name is Patricia Lindsay .
My apt building is near the plant in Bellingham Wa.
I, along with many neighbors suffer from the constant 24/7 sound of the buzzing from the plant. Is there any way at all this could be reduced? Maybe turned off weekends and at night so we can sleep ? Our mental health suffers from this constant sound. My daughter visited recently and was horrified that it never Stops.
I’ve tried finding another place to live but it’s near impossible right now. I sleep with ear plugs and a fan constantly going to block the sound. We never have peace of mind. We can’t open our windows and enjoy the sounds of nature, birds, the wind, rain… never, ever. It never stops. Please is there anything we can do ? Is there anything you can do to help us? Our mental health is suffering. I beg you to help us. Thank you so much.
Patricia Lindsay